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A guide to bagging Wainwright's Lakeland Fells.

Book Three

The Central Fells

The Langdale Pikes from Holme Fell

The Central Fells area is described in Book Three of Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. It includes the area to the north-west of Ambleside between Langstrath and Great Langdale in the west, and Thirlmere in the east. The area contains 27 Wainwrights, including the famous Langdale Pikes and the popular Walla Crag (excellent views over Derwentwater). It is 14km from Loughrigg Fell in the south to Grange Fell in the north. Classic walks include the round of the Langdale Pikes, and the ridge of High Seat and Bleaberry Fell.

Central Fells location and routes

This map shows the distribution of the 27 Central Fells. It also shows all the ridge routes described in the Wainwright’s guide and any other viable routes between adjacent fells. This is the second smallest of Wainwright’s areas and is formed by a loosely arranged assortment of relatively low fells. The main spine of the group runs from Walla Crag in the north to Ullscarf and then High Raise in the south of the group. The most obvious grouping of fells is the Langdale Pikes, which form a tight group of either 5 or 7 fells if you include High Raise and Sergeant Man. The Langdale Pikes are a popular weekend destination for many walkers.

Central Fells elevation

1,000m 900m 800m 700m 600m 500m 400m 300m 200m 100m 475.0m (1,558ft) 590.0m (1,936ft) 556.0m (1,775ft) 537.0m (1,762ft) 525.0m (1,722ft) 420.0m (1,378ft) 417.2m (1,369ft) 449.0m (1,473ft) 736.0m (2,415ft) 405.0m (1,329ft) 762.0m (2,500ft) 357.0m (1,171ft) 608.0m (1,995ft) 515.0m (1,690ft) 681.7m (2,237ft) 335.0m (1,099ft) 700.0m (2,297ft) 708.4m (2,324ft) 461.0m (1,512ft) 736.0m (2,415ft) 571.0m (1,873ft) 395.0m (1,296ft) 553.0m (1,814ft) 551.0m (1,808ft) 723.0m (2,372ft) 726.0m (2,382ft) 379.0m (1,243ft) Armboth Fell Bleaberry Fell Blea Rigg Calf Crag Eagle Crag Gibson Knott Grange Fell (Brund Fell) Great Crag Harrison Stickle Helm Crag High Raise [Langdale] High Rigg High Seat High Tove Loft Crag Loughrigg Fell Pavey Ark Pike o'Stickle Raven Crag Sergeant Man Sergeant's Crag Silver How Steel Fell Tarn Crag [Easedale] Thunacar Knott Ullscarf Walla Crag 100m 200m 300m 400m 500m 600m 700m 800m 900m 1,000m 475.0m (1,558ft) 590.0m (1,936ft) 556.0m (1,775ft) 537.0m (1,762ft) 525.0m (1,722ft) 420.0m (1,378ft) 417.2m (1,369ft) 449.0m (1,473ft) 736.0m (2,415ft) 405.0m (1,329ft) 762.0m (2,500ft) 357.0m (1,171ft) 608.0m (1,995ft) 515.0m (1,690ft) 681.7m (2,237ft) 335.0m (1,099ft) 700.0m (2,297ft) 708.4m (2,324ft) 461.0m (1,512ft) 736.0m (2,415ft) 571.0m (1,873ft) 395.0m (1,296ft) 553.0m (1,814ft) 551.0m (1,808ft) 723.0m (2,372ft) 726.0m (2,382ft) 379.0m (1,243ft) Armboth Fell Bleaberry Fell Blea Rigg Calf Crag Eagle Crag Gibson Knott Grange Fell (Brund Fell) Great Crag Harrison Stickle Helm Crag High Raise [Langdale] High Rigg High Seat High Tove Loft Crag Loughrigg Fell Pavey Ark Pike o'Stickle Raven Crag Sergeant Man Sergeant's Crag Silver How Steel Fell Tarn Crag [Easedale] Thunacar Knott Ullscarf Walla Crag

Central Fells height statistics

Number of fells
27
Total height
14,872 metres (48,794 feet)
Average height
551 metres (1,807 feet)
Highest fell
High Raise [Langdale] — 762.0 metres (2,500 feet)
Lowest fell
Loughrigg Fell — 335.0 metres (1,099 feet)

Central Fells summits

The Wainwright top at Armboth Fell

Armboth Fell

Grid Ref
NY 29584 15739
Lat/long
54.532010,-3.089664
///W3W
liver.aimlessly.capacity
Height
475.0m / 1,558ft
Rank
182 / 214
Full details for Armboth Fell
Wainwright's top at Armboth Fell, looking north-west to the true summit (smooth rock dome) and High Seat on the left. Blencathra can be seen in the distance.
The Wainwright top at Bleaberry Fell

Bleaberry Fell

Grid Ref
NY 28562 19573
Lat/long
54.566316,-3.106386
///W3W
tornado.glades.accompany
Height
590.0m / 1,936ft
Rank
132 / 214
Full details for Bleaberry Fell
The main summit cairn at Bleaberry Fell has been fashioned into a circular wind shelter. This view looks north towards the Skiddaw massif. Bassenthwaite Lake is seen on the left.
The Wainwright top at Blea Rigg

Blea Rigg

Grid Ref
NY 30167 07834
Lat/long
54.461062,-3.078784
///W3W
notebook.officer.hazel
Height
556.0m / 1,775ft
Rank
145 / 214
Full details for Blea Rigg
Blea Rigg summit outcrop, looking north-east with the Helvellyn range, Seat Sandal and Fairfield on the left.
The Wainwright top at Calf Crag

Calf Crag

Grid Ref
NY 30162 10411
Lat/long
54.484217,-3.079471
///W3W
thousands.exclusive.suppers
Height
537.0m / 1,762ft
Rank
155 / 214
Full details for Calf Crag
Calf Crag summit cairn, looking south to Helm Crag (in shadow) and Windermere in the distance.
The Wainwright top at Eagle Crag

Eagle Crag

Grid Ref
NY 27533 12102
Lat/long
54.499042,-3.120457
///W3W
condition.usual.boarded
Height
525.0m / 1,722ft
Rank
160 / 214
Full details for Eagle Crag
The smooth rock outcrop at Eagle Crag summit, looking north-west. High Crag appears on the left with Bessyboot just below.
The Wainwright top at Gibson Knott

Gibson Knott

Grid Ref
NY 31855 09924
Lat/long
54.480071,-3.053231
///W3W
detective.gifted.verve
Height
420.0m / 1,378ft
Rank
198 / 214
Full details for Gibson Knott
The summit cairn at Gibson Knott, looking north with Steel Fell on the left and Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, and Dollywaggon Pike on the right.
The Wainwright top at Grange Fell (Brund Fell)

Grange Fell (Brund Fell)

Grid Ref
NY 26468 16276
Lat/long
54.536392,-3.137940
///W3W
classics.nicknames.dared
Height
417.2m / 1,369ft
Rank
199 / 214
Full details for Grange Fell (Brund Fell)
Grange Fell (Brund Fell) summit outcrop, looking north to Derwent Water with Maiden Moor on the left and Skiddaw on the right. Note the distinctive markings on the rock.
The Wainwright top at Great Crag

Great Crag

Grid Ref
NY 27001 14685
Lat/long
54.522174,-3.129310
///W3W
princes.jumbled.different
Height
449.0m / 1,473ft
Rank
191 / 214
Full details for Great Crag
Great Crag summit cairn at the Wainwright top, looking north to the (lower) subsidiary top and to Skiddaw in the distance.
The Wainwright top at Harrison Stickle

Harrison Stickle

Grid Ref
NY 28173 07400
Lat/long
54.456884,-3.109433
///W3W
founders.clincher.articulated
Height
736.0m / 2,415ft
Rank
69 / 214
Full details for Harrison Stickle
Harrison Stickle summit cairn, looking south-east to Windermere with Lingmoor Fell on the right.
The Wainwright top at Helm Crag

Helm Crag

Grid Ref
NY 32652 09349
Lat/long
54.475011,-3.040802
///W3W
suggested.shampoos.braced
Height
405.0m / 1,329ft
Rank
201 / 214
Full details for Helm Crag
Helm Crag summit (The Howitzer), looking south to Windermere.
The Wainwright top at High Raise [Langdale]

High Raise [Langdale]

Grid Ref
NY 28076 09539
Lat/long
54.476090,-3.111449
///W3W
icon.quicksand.objective
Height
762.0m / 2,500ft
Rank
57 / 214
Full details for High Raise [Langdale]
The triangulation column (S5989) at High Raise summit, looking west to Glaramara with Great Gable on the left and High Stile on the right.
The Wainwright top at High Rigg

High Rigg

Grid Ref
NY 30852 21997
Lat/long
54.588415,-3.071547
///W3W
improving.relations.pigment
Height
357.0m / 1,171ft
Rank
209 / 214
Full details for High Rigg
High Rigg summit cairn, looking north to Blencathra with the slopes of Clough Head on the right.
The Wainwright top at High Seat

High Seat

Grid Ref
NY 28709 18046
Lat/long
54.552616,-3.103742
///W3W
fishnet.fetching.handrail
Height
608.0m / 1,995ft
Rank
129 / 214
Full details for High Seat
The OS triangulation column (S5987) at High Seat summit, looking south-east towards the Helvellyn range. Wainwright: “…there can be a difference of inches only between this and a prominent rock knoll called Man.”
The Wainwright top at High Tove

High Tove

Grid Ref
NY 28915 16510
Lat/long
54.538844,-3.100187
///W3W
scenes.opens.presumes
Height
515.0m / 1,690ft
Rank
167 / 214
Full details for High Tove
High Tove summit cairn, looking east towards Raise, White Side and Helvellyn. The highest ground is at the hand-gate, 50m west of the cairn.
The Wainwright top at Loft Crag

Loft Crag

Grid Ref
NY 27745 07132
Lat/long
54.454415,-3.115967
///W3W
masking.grocers.failed
Height
681.7m / 2,237ft
Rank
98 / 214
Full details for Loft Crag
Loft Crag summit cairn, looking south-east into Langdale, with Lingmoor Fell and Blea Tarn on the right.
The Wainwright top at Loughrigg Fell

Loughrigg Fell

Grid Ref
NY 34696 05138
Lat/long
54.437441,-3.008334
///W3W
cascade.journey.shipwreck
Height
335.0m / 1,099ft
Rank
211 / 214
Full details for Loughrigg Fell
The triangulation column (S5470) at Loughrigg Fell summit, looking north-west towards the Landgale Pikes.
The Wainwright top at Pavey Ark

Pavey Ark

Grid Ref
NY 28456 07907
Lat/long
54.461480,-3.105191
///W3W
origin.tissue.immediate
Height
700.0m / 2,297ft
Rank
89 / 214
Full details for Pavey Ark
The rock outcrop at Pavey Ark summit, looking south to Harrison Stickle. The Dale Head group appear on the left with Crinkle Crags and Bowfell on the right.
The Wainwright top at Pike o'Stickle

Pike o’Stickle

Grid Ref
NY 27399 07356
Lat/long
54.456379,-3.121358
///W3W
assets.culminate.cupboards
Height
708.4m / 2,324ft
Rank
83 / 214
Full details for Pike o’Stickle
Pike o'Stickle summit cairn, looking south-east to a ghostly Loft Crag.
The Wainwright top at Raven Crag

Raven Crag

Grid Ref
NY 30340 18755
Lat/long
54.559214,-3.078699
///W3W
gets.rejects.fluffed
Height
461.0m / 1,512ft
Rank
186 / 214
Full details for Raven Crag
Raven Crag summit and viewing platform, looking south along Thirlmere with the slopes of the Helvellyn range on the left.
The Wainwright top at Sergeant Man

Sergeant Man

Grid Ref
NY 28644 08891
Lat/long
54.470348,-3.102529
///W3W
train.ratty.honey
Height
736.0m / 2,415ft
Rank
70 / 214
Full details for Sergeant Man
Sergeant Man summit cairn, looking north-east to the Helvellyn range with Codale Head on the right.
The Wainwright top at Sergeant's Crag

Sergeant’s Crag

Grid Ref
NY 27393 11378
Lat/long
54.492516,-3.122440
///W3W
denote.should.effort
Height
571.0m / 1,873ft
Rank
141 / 214
Full details for Sergeant’s Crag
Sergeant's Crag summit outcrop, looking north with Skiddaw on the left and Blencathra on the right. The slopes of Ullscarf appear on the far right.
The Wainwright top at Silver How

Silver How

Grid Ref
NY 32478 06644
Lat/long
54.450683,-3.042868
///W3W
cooked.poodle.potato
Height
395.0m / 1,296ft
Rank
202 / 214
Full details for Silver How
Silver How summit cairn, looking south-east towards Loughrigg Fell with Grasmere on the left and Windermere on the right.
The Wainwright top at Steel Fell

Steel Fell

Grid Ref
NY 31943 11154
Lat/long
54.491135,-3.052157
///W3W
shun.gratuity.grants
Height
553.0m / 1,814ft
Rank
147 / 214
Full details for Steel Fell
Steel Fell summit cairn with fence post, looking south across Blea Rigg to the Coniston Fells.
The Wainwright top at Tarn Crag [Easedale]

Tarn Crag [Easedale]

Grid Ref
NY 30371 09302
Lat/long
54.474281,-3.075984
///W3W
agency.explored.pickle
Height
551.0m / 1,808ft
Rank
149 / 214
Full details for Tarn Crag [Easedale]
Tarn Crag summit cairn, looking south-east towards Grasmere with Helm Crag on the left and Loughrigg Fell on the right.
The Wainwright top at Thunacar Knott

Thunacar Knott

Grid Ref
NY 27909 08136
Lat/long
54.463460,-3.113683
///W3W
takeover.fallback.described
Height
723.0m / 2,372ft
Rank
76 / 214
Full details for Thunacar Knott
The cairn at the Wainwright top of Thunacar Knott (northern summit), looking west with Great End on the left, Great Gable on the right, Bowfell far left, and Glaramara far right.
The Wainwright top at Ullscarf

Ullscarf

Grid Ref
NY 29151 12173
Lat/long
54.499908,-3.095496
///W3W
collapsed.inspected.submits
Height
726.0m / 2,382ft
Rank
74 / 214
Full details for Ullscarf
Ulscarf summit cairn looking south-east with Windermere just visible and Fairfield on the left.
The Wainwright top at Walla Crag

Walla Crag

Grid Ref
NY 27686 21287
Lat/long
54.581592,-3.120354
///W3W
charted.spectacle.dentures
Height
379.0m / 1,243ft
Rank
204 / 214
Full details for Walla Crag
Walla Crag summit cairn at the Wainwright top (set back from the rock platform, about 20m away). This view looks north-west with Grisedale Pike most prominent on the skyline.

Central Fells sortable data

Fell nameNo.Ht.LatLongGrid Ref.
Armboth Fell72475.0m54.532010-3.089664NY 29584 15739
Bleaberry Fell73590.0m54.566316-3.106386NY 28562 19573
Blea Rigg74556.0m54.461062-3.078784NY 30167 07834
Calf Crag75537.0m54.484217-3.079471NY 30162 10411
Eagle Crag76525.0m54.499042-3.120457NY 27533 12102
Gibson Knott77420.0m54.480071-3.053231NY 31855 09924
Grange Fell (Brund Fell)78417.2m54.536392-3.137940NY 26468 16276
Great Crag79449.0m54.522174-3.129310NY 27001 14685
Harrison Stickle80736.0m54.456884-3.109433NY 28173 07400
Helm Crag81405.0m54.475011-3.040802NY 32652 09349
High Raise [Langdale]82762.0m54.476090-3.111449NY 28076 09539
High Rigg83357.0m54.588415-3.071547NY 30852 21997
High Seat84608.0m54.552616-3.103742NY 28709 18046
High Tove85515.0m54.538844-3.100187NY 28915 16510
Loft Crag86681.7m54.454415-3.115967NY 27745 07132
Loughrigg Fell87335.0m54.437441-3.008334NY 34696 05138
Pavey Ark88700.0m54.461480-3.105191NY 28456 07907
Pike o'Stickle89708.4m54.456379-3.121358NY 27399 07356
Raven Crag90461.0m54.559214-3.078699NY 30340 18755
Sergeant Man91736.0m54.470348-3.102529NY 28644 08891
Sergeant's Crag92571.0m54.492516-3.122440NY 27393 11378
Silver How93395.0m54.450683-3.042868NY 32478 06644
Steel Fell94553.0m54.491135-3.052157NY 31943 11154
Tarn Crag [Easedale]95551.0m54.474281-3.075984NY 30371 09302
Thunacar Knott96723.0m54.463460-3.113683NY 27909 08136
Ullscarf97726.0m54.499908-3.095496NY 29151 12173
Walla Crag98379.0m54.581592-3.120354NY 27686 21287