Fairfield over Deepdale Hause

Fairfield

Height873m (2,864ft)

Prominence299m (981ft)

RegionEastern Fells

Climbed5 Times

"The rough triangle formed by Grisedale Pass, the Rothay valley and Scandale Pass contains a bulky mountain system with five distinct peaks over 2500ft. The main summit is Fairfield, a grand mountain with grand satellites in support. No group of fells exhibits a more striking contrast when surveyed from opposite sides." — A. Wainwright

Standing proudly at the head of a network of major valleys, Fairfield reigns as the highest peak in the Eastern Fells. It remains one of the most celebrated and popular mountains in the Lake District, anchored by the legendary Fairfield Horseshoe—a classic ridge walk that draws fellwalkers from across the country.

Like many of its Cumbrian neighbours, Fairfield possesses two completely distinct characters. When approached from the south, it presents a landscape of gentle, grassy sloping ridges. However, step over to its northern face, and the terrain transforms into an alpine wilderness defined by dark, vertical precipices and deeply gouged glacial crags.

A windy Fairfield summit

Nestled in a dramatic hollow to the northwest lies Grisedale Tarn, a starkly beautiful, 30-metre-deep natural lake. The tarn is steeped in local folklore; according to Cumbrian myth, it serves as the final resting place for the crown of Dunmail, the legendary last King of Cumbria, following his defeat in battle in 945 AD.

The summit plateau itself is vast, stony, and frequently windswept, featuring a pair of large, well-constructed stone windbreaks to shelter cold hikers. Because of the plateau's sheer expanse, the finest panoramic views are found by tracing the rim of the northern edges, which look straight down into the wild troughs of Deepdale and Link Cove.