The superb Mellbreak

Mellbreak

Height512m (1,680ft)

Prominence260m (853ft)

RegionWestern Fells

Climbed1 Time

"From Kirkstile, at the northern foot, the gable of the fell assumes the arresting outline of a towering pyramid; suggesting a narrow crest, but the top widens into a considerable plateau having two summits of almost equal height separated by a broad saddle." — A. Wainwright

Rising in complete isolation above the western shore of Crummock Water, Mellbreak is bounded on three sides by a natural moat of deep, marshy ground. Its title combines ancient linguistic roots: Celtic moel, meaning 'bare hill', and Old Norse brekka, meaning 'hill slope'.

Holding a massive 260 metres of relative height, the fell easily qualifies as a Marilyn. A popular ascent weaves upwards from the Kirkstile Inn at Loweswater, threading through a labyrinth of scree, crags, and rocky outcrops guarding the steep northern face.

Mellbreak's summit and view towards the Buttermere ridge

The high plateau features twin summits separated by a broad, shallow dip. While the slightly lower northern top offers a more dramatic, rocky perch directly above the crags, the true 512-metre summit rests on grass further south, marked by a modest stone cairn. Owing to its complete separation from neighboring ridges, both tops yield sweeping, unhindered panoramas across Crummock Water towards the Buttermere and North Western fells.

Trip Reports

The Loweswater Five08/05/2016

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