Carrock Fell seen from Murrah

Carrock Fell

Height663m (2,175ft)

Prominence91m (299ft)

RegionNorthern Fells

Climbed1 Time

Carrock Fell stands as a geological marvel at the northeastern edge of the Lake District. Combining the ancient Cumbric word carrec (rock) with the Old Norse fjall (fell), its name literally translates to "Rock Fell"—a perfectly accurate description for this unique, craggy giant. Unlike its neighbors, its complex rocky architecture provides a stark departure from the otherwise smooth, grassy character of the surrounding Northern Fells.

"This rough little height is, first and foremost, a very rich geological field, for here the extensive area of Skiddaw slates and shales, abruptly terminates against a rugged upthrust of igneous or volcanic rocks. Carrock Fell is something of a rebel, a nonconformist, the odd man out - it would look more at home at the head of Borrowdale or Langdale amongst others of like kind." — Wainwright 1962, Book Five

The mountain's geology is completely unique within Cumbria, composed predominantly of Gabbro—a coarse-grained, rough igneous rock identical to the dark stone that forms the fearsome Black Cuillin on the Isle of Skye. Because Gabbro offers an exceptionally high-friction grip for climbers, Carrock Fell plays host to the only rock climbing of true quality in the northern district. Beyond its surface cliffs, the fell is rich in subterranean minerals, having been mined for centuries for lead, copper, arsenic, and iron. Its most legendary enterprise, the Carrock Mine, was the only source of tungsten in Britain outside of Devon and Cornwall before closing in the early 1980s and being completely landscaped back to its original outline in 1988.

Carrock Fell's summit cairn perched on a prominent rock outcrop

The high point is crowned by a small stone cairn perched atop a rugged rock outcrop, but the true focal point of the summit plateau is history. The crown of the fell is encircled by the massive, scattered stone foundations of an Iron Age hill fort. Believed to have been built by Celtic tribes as a sprawling, oval stronghold, the fort was subsequently destroyed by Roman legions during their conquest of northern England, leaving behind an evocative stone perimeter that stands as a silent witness to the ancient history of the valley.

Trip Reports

Carrock Fell, High Pike & Knott13/02/2016

Return to Lake District – Northern Fells