Great Cockup rising steadily beyond the sheep pass of Trusmadoor

Great Cockup

Height526m (1,726ft)

Prominence90m (295ft)

RegionNorthern Fells

Climbed1 Time

Great Cockup is an extensive, smooth-backed bulk that anchors the western edge of the Uldale Fells. Bearing an unforgettable name rooted in Old English, it translates historically to the "larger fell above the secluded valley frequented by woodcock or black grouse"—distinguishing it from its smaller sibling, Little Cockup, which rests on its northwestern shoulder. Lacking the jagged profiles of the central lakes, it offers an immense, rolling canvas of mountain grass that captures the true pastoral character of the Back o' Skiddaw.

"Viewed from a distance, Great Cockup appears as a modest but extensive eminence with no obvious summit and nothing calling for closer inspection. First impressions are confirmed by a tour of exploration, the fell underfoot providing no more interest than the fell at a distance." — Wainwright 1962, Book Five

Alfred Wainwright offered one of his famously dry, dismissive assessments of Great Cockup in his Pictorial Guides, claiming that a closer tour of exploration confirms there is absolutely nothing here calling for closer inspection. Yet for walkers who appreciate isolation, its massive, grassy ridges provide an incredibly tranquil mountain walk. For those with an eye out for ancient geology, the lower southern slopes host a massive, isolated boulder marked on large-scale ordnance maps—a prominent glacial erratic dropped here by a retreating ice sheet millennia ago.

A small, humble pile of stones marks the highest turf on Great Cockup

The high point of the fell is a broad, unassuming plateau where the true summit marker is simply a humble, small pile of loose stones set out on the open grass. What the summit lacks in dramatic rock formations, however, it more than compensates for with its spectacular, contrasting views. Standing by the cairn rewards walkers with an exceptional, close-up perspective across the massive northern scree slopes of the Skiddaw range, beautifully counterbalanced by a wide-open, glorious northern outlook reaching out toward the Solway Firth and the distant Scottish Border hills.

Trip Reports

Great Calva, Knott, Great Sca Fell, Meal Fell & Great Cockup17/04/2016

Return to Lake District – Northern Fells

Hay Stacks wearing its winter coat

Hay Stacks

Height597m (1,959ft)

Prominence78m (256ft)

RegionWestern Fells

Climbed3 Times

Hay Stacks stands as one of the most beloved and visually complex summits in the entire Lake District. Located at the southeastern head of the Buttermere Valley, it serves as the vital link between the massifs of the Western Fells and the high ground of the Great Gable group. Despite its modest height relative to its neighbours, it offers a dense, intricate landscape that feels like a micro-mountain range unto itself.

"Hay Stacks stands unabashed and unashamed in the midst of a circle of much loftier fells, but not one of them can show a greater variety and a more fascinating arrangement of interesting features. Here are sharp peaks, tarns with islands, crags, screes, rocks for climbing and rocks not for climbing, heather tracts, marshes, tarns with streams and tarns with no streams." — Wainwright 1962, Book Seven

The fell's name originates from the visual impression of its summit cliffs—though Alfred Wainwright famously argued that the name is a corruption of the Icelandic 'stack', meaning 'a columnar rock', implying the correct translation should be 'High Rocks'. Beyond the nomenclature, it is cemented in Lakeland lore as the final resting place of Alfred Wainwright himself, whose ashes were scattered at the serene, island-dotted Innominate Tarn on the fell's summit plateau.

The summit cairn looking toward Great Gable

The summit is a short, jagged rocky ridge topped with cairns at both ends, with the northern cairn marking the official high point. Exploring the top is a constant delight of discovery, featuring hidden marshlands, secret rock shelters, and a series of tarns. It provides an essential bridge between the Ennerdale and Buttermere valleys, framing the towering, austere presence of Great Gable to the southeast.

Trip Reports

Fleetwith Pike via Fleetwith Edge, Grey Knotts, Brandreth & Haystacks05/01/2019

The Buttermere Horseshoe08/04/2017

The Buttermere Ridge20/04/2014

Return to Lake District – Western Fells

High Seat from Armboth Fell

High Seat

Height608m (1,995ft)

Prominence136m (446ft)

RegionCentral Fells

Climbed1 Time

"High Seat is the principal fell on the north section of the central ridge, overtopping all others within a radius of some miles, and is, therefore, an excellent viewpoint." — A. Wainwright

Standing as the highest point along the northern section of the central ridge, High Seat dominates the high ground between Derwentwater and Thirlmere. Holding 136 metres of relative height, it overtops all surrounding terrain within a five-mile radius, serving as an outstanding, commanding vantage point across the Cumbrian hills.

The eastern flanks carry a piece of local history below Threefooted Brandreth: the Litt's Memorial stone above Mere Ghyll. On 9 March 1880, John Litt fell behind while following the Blencathra Foxhounds, and a search party discovered his body on the solitary saddle the following day.

High Seat's summit pillar

The high point is set upon a small rock platform emerging from the surrounding peat, capped by an Ordnance Survey triangulation pillar. Thanks to its central elevation and the absence of immediate higher neighbours, the summit commands a vast, uninterrupted panorama stretching across the entire Lake District.

Trip Reports

Ullscarf & The Central Ridge07/09/2014

Return to Central Fells

Ard Crags rising prominently as seen from the slopes of Catbells

Ard Crags

Height581m (1,906ft)

Prominence116m (381ft)

RegionNorth Western Fells

Climbed2 Times

Tucked beneath the shadows of giant neighbours like Causey Pike and Crag Hill, Ard Crags is a peak that can be easily overlooked by busy fellwalkers. However, when viewed from specific angles within the Rigg Beck pass or the Newlands Valley, it reveals a remarkably sharp, symmetrical pyramidal silhouette that instantly commands attention. Running parallel to the main Coledale ridge is a lower, beautifully quiet spine composed of Knott Rigg and Ard Crags, offering a delightfully narrow and airy walking experience. Ard Crags itself forms the eastern half of this scenic crest.

"There is one point on the path alongside Rigg Beck where the defile ahead is occupied by the shapely pyramid of Ard Crags, its appearance suggesting a complete isolation from other fells." — Wainwright 1957, Book Two

The narrow, heather-carpeted ridge line culminates at a rounded summit dome marked by a modest, compact stone cairn. While the soaring profiles of the higher Crag Hill to Causey Pike ridge sever much of the views looking north and west, the summit compensates by presenting an absolute masterpiece of an aerial perspective, looking directly down over the green patchwork fields of the Newlands Valley below.

The quiet, heather-clad summit of Ard Crags, looking across to the distant profile of Blencathra

Trip Reports

Hindscarth, Robinson, Knott Rigg & Ard Crags18/12/2016

A Newlands Round22/08/2014

Return to Lake District – North Western Fells

Hen Comb and marshy Mosedale

Hen Comb

Height509m (1,670ft)

Prominence140m (459ft)

RegionWestern Fells

Climbed1 Time

"Following the general pattern of the Loweswater Fells, Hen Comb rises as a long ridge from the valley to a round summit set well back. It is a grassy fell, almost entirely, with a rocky knuckle, Little Dodd, midway on the ridge." — A. Wainwright

Hen Comb forms a linear, grassy ridge rising from the Loweswater valley pastures and extending southwards into the quiet western interior of the Lake District. Despite its modest height, reaching its slopes often presents a wet challenge as the fell is virtually ringed by boggy ground, flanked to the east by the marshy trench of Mosedale.

Mosedale separates Hen Comb from the parallel ridge of Mellbreak, wrapping around the head of the fell where its source waters drain from Floutern Tarn beneath the high slopes of Gavel Fell.

A surprisingly good view from the summit

The rounded, grassy summit is marked by a simple stone cairn. Situated centrally amongst the Loweswater Fells, the high point offers an unexpectedly rewarding vista, taking in the Buttermere valley backed by the towering Grasmoor range alongside clear perspectives across both arms of the Western Fells.

Trip Reports

The Loweswater Five08/05/2016

Return to Western Fells

The distinctive profile of Meal Fell

Meal Fell

Height550m (1,804ft)

Prominence30m (98ft)

RegionNorthern Fells

Climbed1 Time

Meal Fell is an architectural standout within the rolling Uldale Fells, breaking the uniform pattern of the surrounding grassy ridges. Rising as a sharp, structural pyramid on a long ridge line reaching out from the declivity of Great Sca Fell, its steep flanks taper into a wonderfully defined summit. While most of its neighbours are characterized by sweeping hillsides of smooth pasture, Meal Fell introduces a harsher, more rugged terrain to the northern fringe of the national park.

"Thrusting out from the smooth declivity of Great Sca Fell is a long ridge that swells into two subsidiary fells before coming down sharply to Orthwaite. The first of these takes the form of a pyramid, the summit appearing from certain viewpoints as a shapely peak." — Wainwright 1962, Book Five

Reaching a height of 550 metres, the peak presents an uncommonly stony landscape for this part of Cumbria, featuring patches of loose slate scree alongside its traditional grass barrows. This unique rocky crown led legendary outdoor writer Bill Birkett to speculate that the summit plateau may have served as a small hill fort in ancient times. To the west, the mountain drops sharply down into Trusmadoor—a historic mountain pass whose name stems from the ancient Cumbric term for a door or corridor. This geological trench was famously dubbed by Alfred Wainwright as the bustling "Piccadilly of sheep in that locality."

The stony summit of Meal Fell, featuring a substantial stone shelter

The high point is crowned by a modest stone cairn alongside an impressive, circular drystone wind shelter that incorporates the local scree. While the inland panorama is heavily restricted by the massive, looming shapes of higher parent fells, the view looking outward is spectacular. Standing by the summit stones rewards walkers with a brilliant, wide-open view stretching northwest toward the coast, where the rolling Cumbrian lowlands meet the shimmering expanse of the sea.

Trip Reports

Great Calva, Knott, Great Sca Fell, Meal Fell & Great Cockup17/04/2016

Return to Lake District – Northern Fells

Bleaberry Fell over Low Moss

Bleaberry Fell

Height590m (1,936ft)

Prominence42m (138ft)

RegionCentral Fells

Climbed1 Time

"Bleaberry Fell terminates the central ridge to the north, appearing as a lofty dome overlooking the Keswick to Penrith gap. Bleaberry Fell is a superb viewpoint, ideally situated for long and lazy contemplation of a beautiful panorama." — A. Wainwright

Forming the northern terminus of the main central ridge separating Borrowdale and Thirlmere, Bleaberry Fell rises as a lofty, heather-clad dome directly above the Keswick vale. It occupies a commanding position on the watershed dividing the catchments of Derwentwater and Thirlmere.

Connected southwards across the peat hags of Low Moss to neighbour High Seat, the fell offers a delightful, airy approach directly from Keswick and Walla Crag.

Bleaberry Fell's impressive cairn and view

The high point is crowned by a large, impressive stone cairn incorporating a built-in stone windbreak shelter. Thanks to its elevated perch at the head of Derwentwater, the summit provides an exceptionally fine, unhindered 360-degree panorama taking in all the major mountain groups across the Lake District, framed alongside Skiddaw and Blencathra to the north.

Trip Reports

Ullscarf & The Central Ridge07/09/2014

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The long, elegant ridge of Souther Fell curving into the valley

Souther Fell

Height522m (1,713ft)

Prominence87m (285ft)

RegionNorthern Fells

Climbed1 Time

Souther Fell rises directly to the south of Mungrisdale village, acting as a striking eastern wingman to the mighty Blencathra range. Stretching out as a long, continuous grassy crest, it falls away abruptly at its northeastern tip into a patchwork of valley fields. This geography creates Mousthwaite Comb—a fascinating hydrological quirk where the River Glenderamackin runs eastward along the north of the ridge, and westward along the south, wrapping around the fell on three sides like a six-mile-long natural moat.

"Souther Fell, taking the form of a long ridge, extends Blencathra to the east and curves northwards to its extremity, where there is an abrupt fall of altitude to the fields of Mungrisdale - and no more high ground." — Wainwright 1962, Book Five

Beyond its landscape, Souther Fell holds legendary status in Cumbrian folklore due to the bizarre phenomenon of the "Spectral Army" witnessed on Midsummer’s Day in 1745. For several hours, twenty-six sober, sworn local witnesses watched a phantasmagoria of marching infantry, cavalry, and carriages traverse the precipitous summit ridge—terrain known to be far too steep for actual wheels. When investigators climbed the ridge the following morning, not a single boot print or broken blade of grass could be found on the soft turf. While modern theories suggest it was a rare atmospheric mirage reflecting Bonnie Prince Charlie’s troops drilling across the Solway Firth, or perhaps smoke from traditional Germanic bonfire rituals distorted by the popular press, the mystery still haunts the valley.

The completely unmarked, smooth grassy summit of Souther Fell

The spine of the ridge features several undulating bumps, with the true northeastern top rising some thirty feet higher than its southern partner. True to the minimalist character of the region, the summit area features no cairn or stone structure whatsoever, leaving the open turf completely unblemished. As the final high outpost of the Northern Fells in this direction, standing on its crest offers a magnificent, totally uninterrupted panoramic outlook eastward over the Eden Valley to the Pennines, balanced by a dramatic view of the Lakeland fells peeking around the massive, dark shoulders of Blencathra.

Trip Reports

Souther Fell, Mungrisdale Common, Bannerdale Crags & Bowscale Fell13/06/2015

Return to Lake District – Northern Fells

Dodd (Skiddaw)

The sharp profile of Dodd picked out by a passing winter snow shower

Dodd

Height502m (1,647ft)

Prominence110m (361ft)

RegionNorthern Fells

Climbed2 Times

Dodd is a sharp, beautifully woodland-clad fell that stands proud beneath the massive western flanks of the Skiddaw range. Positioned entirely within Forestry Commission land known as Dodd Wood, the hill was heavily farmed with dense rows of commercial conifers right up to its crown for the better part of a century. However, a comprehensive clearance programme initiated in 2001 has successfully unburdened the summit, allowing the high ground to breath once more and slowly revert to its native heather moorland character.

"Dodd, like Latrigg, can be described as a whelp of Skiddaw, crouched at the feet of his parent. But Dodd has latterly shown nothing of the family characteristics and the old man must today regard his offspring with surprise and growing doubt..." — Wainwright 1962, Book Five

The lower slopes of Dodd Wood offer a pristine habitat for wildlife, famously hosting nesting pairs of Ospreys around the southern shoreline of Bassenthwaite Lake. An open-air viewing platform constructed on the mountain's flanks provides a superlative vantage point for bird spotters looking to observe these magnificent birds of prey. The fell also boasts a colourful local history; during the 1860s, it was home to George Smith, a Scottish hermit who lived in a wigwam-style tent constructed against a low stone wall on an exposed mountain ledge, earning a living painting portraits and reading characters at local Cumbrian fairs.

The distinct stone memorial pillar marking the clear summit of Dodd

The highest point of the hill is marked by a distinctive stone memorial pillar bearing a brass plaque dedicated to the memory of John Lole and Ian Sandelands of the 1st Seaton Scout Group. Despite its modest height of 502 metres, Dodd features an exceptionally powerful position that commands views far superior to many of its taller neighbours. Standing at the pillar rewards walkers with an absolute panorama, capturing the full expanses of Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water alongside a dramatic, long-range perspective out to the high southern crowns of Scafell Pike, Great Gable, and Bowfell.

Trip Reports

Dodd & Binsey13/06/2015

Binsey & Dodd31/01/2014

Return to Lake District – Northern Fells

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

Return to Western Fells

The craggy Middle Fell

Middle Fell

Height582m (1,909ft)

Prominence117m (384ft)

RegionWestern Fells

Climbed1 Time

"Many of the lesser fells of Lakeland make up for their lack of height by an aggressive fierceness of expression that seems more appropriate to greater mountains and by an intimidating ruggedness and wildness of terrain. Middle Fell comes into this category." — A. Wainwright

Standing as a prominent satellite of Seatallan above the north-western shore of Wast Water, Middle Fell presents a remarkably rugged profile for its modest elevation. Steep on all flanks, its western face is strewn with scree and rough boulders, while its eastern side plunges down tier upon tier of craggy outcrops into Nether Beck.

To the north, a broad, grassy ridge links Middle Fell back to the higher mass of Seatallan, levelling out gently after an initial rough descent from the high point.

Summit cairn on Middle Fell

The summit cairn rests atop a small, rocky knoll near the southern edge of the high ground. From this elevated vantage point directly over the lake, the top provides fantastic views looking straight across Wast Water to the towering screes of Whin Rigg and Illgill Head.

Trip Reports

Middle Fell, Seatallan & Buckbarrow25/05/2015

Return to Western Fells

The rugged profiles of Whinlatter rolling away as captured from the slopes of Graystones

Whinlatter

Height525m (1,722ft)

Prominence58m (190ft)

RegionNorth Western Fells

Climbed1 Time

Whinlatter rises as a small but characterful fell situated immediately north of the Whinlatter Pass. The mountain's etymology traces back through a fascinating linguistic hybrid of Old Norse and Gaelic elements: combining the Old Norse word 'hvin' (meaning gorse or furze) with the Gaelic word 'lettir' (signifying a slope), the title translates directly as "The Gorse or furze-covered slope". Along the lower southern flanks of the fell lies the Whinlatter Visitor's Centre, a widely popular outdoor destination owned and maintained by the Forestry Commission, which provides a gateway into the extensive conifer forest trails below.

"Whinlatter the Fell, a lonely sheep pasture, is known to few. The abrupt heathery slopes, streaked with long tongues of scree, form an effective northern wall to the Whinlatter pass, and there is little in this rough and forbidding declivity to suggest the pleasant heights above". — Wainwright 1957, Book Two

The mountain preserves an intriguing spot in cartographic history. Throughout the mid-20th century, official Ordnance Survey maps consistently marked the neighbouring top of Brown How as the absolute summit. Alfred Wainwright discussed this anomaly at considerable length in his guides, utilising his own meticulous amateur surveying methods to argue that the mapmakers were incorrect. Modern iterations of the Ordnance Survey maps have ultimately conceded the argument, officially updating their registers to mark Whinlatter Top as the true, definitive high point of the fell, crowned by a simple stone cairn.

The quiet, rocky high point cairn marking the true summit crest at Whinlatter Top

Trip Reports

A Whinlatter Round05/10/2014

Return to Lake District – North Western Fells

Mountain Profile: Black Hill

Black Hill seen from Bleaklow

Height: 582m (1,909ft)
Prominence: 165m (541ft)
Region: Peak District Dark Peak
Classifications: Marilyn, County Top, Dewey
Summit feature: Platform & trig pillar
Times climbed: 1
Related trip report:
Black Hill - 02/10/2016

The summit of Black Hill

Black Hill is the highest point in the historic county of Cheshire, but now lies on the border between the boroughs of Kirklees in West Yorkshire and High Peak in Derbyshire.

The top is peaty and thus very boggy after rain. The area surrounding the summit itself had virtually no vegetation and was very dark, giving the hill an appropriate name. However, recent restoration work has eliminated much of the exposed peat. Black Hill is crossed by the Pennine Way whose now-paved surface allows walkers to reach the top dry-shod even in the wettest of weather.

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Sergeant's Crag and Langstrath

Sergeant's Crag

Height571m (1,873ft)

Prominence45m (148ft)

RegionCentral Fells

Climbed2 Times

"The northwestern slopes of High Raise descend gradually at first, with nothing of interest; and then, after some hesitation, rise sharply to the walled summit of Sergeant's Crag before plunging precipitously, without further delay, to Langstrath far below." — A. Wainwright

Standing as a rugged, intermediate height along the high ridge separating Langstrath from Greenup Gill, Sergeant's Crag forms a distinctive rocky step in the Central Fells. As the long spur falling northwards from High Raise narrows, the terrain turns increasingly craggy before throwing up a prominent rocky knuckle overlooking the valley floor.

Beyond the summit, the ridge drops into a small depression before rising once more to form its dramatic northern terminus at Eagle Crag.

A cairn marks the summit

The high point features a stone cairn set upon a rocky outcrop. Perched high above Langstrath, the summit commands fine, dramatic perspectives looking straight up the valley towards Bowfell and Esk Pike, alongside views over Glaramara to the high Southern Fells beyond.

Trip Reports

A Langstrath Round13/08/2017

Ullscarf & The Central Ridge07/09/2014

Return to Central Fells