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A guide to bagging Wainwright's Lakeland Fells.

Book Four

The Southern Fells

The Scafell range and Bowfell from Crinkle Crags

The Southern Fells area is described in Book Four of Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. The area is bounded in the west by Wast Water and in the east by Grasmere and Windermere. It extends north as far as Stonethwaite in Borrowdale and south to Coniston. The area contains 30 Wainwrights, including the highest peaks in the Lake District such as Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England. Classic walks in this area, include the Coniston Fells, and routes to Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head, Seathwaite, and Langdale.

Southern Fells location and routes

This map shows the distribution of the 30 Southern Fells. It also shows all the ridge routes described in Wainwright’s guide and any other viable routes between adjacent fells. This area is unusual in that it is formed from several separate groupings, the largest of which includes the Scafell group, the western Langdale ridge (Bowfell and Crinkle Crags), and the north-east ridge from Rosthwaite Fell to Allen Crags. The other main group is the Coniston Fells, from Wetherlam to Dow Crag. The remaining fells are scattered and not easily joined with the two main groups. The Southern Fells include some of the most popular fells in the district. You’ll rarely be alone on Scafell Pike and Coniston Old Man, but Green Crag is a good place to go for quiet contemplation.

Southern Fells elevation

1,000m 900m 800m 700m 600m 500m 400m 300m 200m 100m 785.0m (2,575ft) 323.0m (1,060ft) 902.9m (2,962ft) 796.0m (2,612ft) 701.0m (2,300ft) 802.4m (2,633ft) 859.0m (2,818ft) 778.0m (2,552ft) 885.0m (2,904ft) 783.0m (2,569ft) 785.0m (2,575ft) 909.5m (2,984ft) 488.7m (1,603ft) 773.0m (2,536ft) 549.0m (1,801ft) 654.0m (2,146ft) 317.0m (1,040ft) 608.8m (1,997ft) 807.0m (2,648ft) 470.0m (1,542ft) 705.0m (2,313ft) 651.0m (2,136ft) 551.0m (1,808ft) 963.9m (3,162ft) 978.1m (3,209ft) 601.0m (1,972ft) 762.0m (2,500ft) 802.4m (2,633ft) 763.0m (2,503ft) 537.0m (1,762ft) Allen Crags Black Fell Bowfell Brim Fell Cold Pike Coniston Old Man Crinkle Crags (Long Top) Dow Crag Esk Pike Glaramara Great Carrs Great End Green Crag Grey Friar Hard Knott Harter Fell [Eskdale] Holme Fell Illgill Head Lingmell Lingmoor Fell Pike o'Blisco Rossett Pike Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot) Scafell Scafell Pike Seathwaite Fell Slight Side Swirl How Wetherlam Whin Rigg 100m 200m 300m 400m 500m 600m 700m 800m 900m 1,000m 785.0m (2,575ft) 323.0m (1,060ft) 902.9m (2,962ft) 796.0m (2,612ft) 701.0m (2,300ft) 802.4m (2,633ft) 859.0m (2,818ft) 778.0m (2,552ft) 885.0m (2,904ft) 783.0m (2,569ft) 785.0m (2,575ft) 909.5m (2,984ft) 488.7m (1,603ft) 773.0m (2,536ft) 549.0m (1,801ft) 654.0m (2,146ft) 317.0m (1,040ft) 608.8m (1,997ft) 807.0m (2,648ft) 470.0m (1,542ft) 705.0m (2,313ft) 651.0m (2,136ft) 551.0m (1,808ft) 963.9m (3,162ft) 978.1m (3,209ft) 601.0m (1,972ft) 762.0m (2,500ft) 802.4m (2,633ft) 763.0m (2,503ft) 537.0m (1,762ft) Allen Crags Black Fell Bowfell Brim Fell Cold Pike Coniston Old Man Crinkle Crags (Long Top) Dow Crag Esk Pike Glaramara Great Carrs Great End Green Crag Grey Friar Hard Knott Harter Fell [Eskdale] Holme Fell Illgill Head Lingmell Lingmoor Fell Pike o'Blisco Rossett Pike Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot) Scafell Scafell Pike Seathwaite Fell Slight Side Swirl How Wetherlam Whin Rigg

Southern Fells height statistics

Number of fells
30
Total height
21,292 metres (69,855 feet)
Average height
710 metres (2,329 feet)
Highest fell
Scafell Pike — 978.1 metres (3,209 feet)
Lowest fell
Holme Fell — 317.0 metres (1,040 feet)

Southern Fells summits

The Wainwright top at Allen Crags

Allen Crags

Grid Ref
NY 23671 08527
Lat/long
54.466353,-3.179151
///W3W
modifies.frail.toenail
Height
785.0m / 2,575ft
Rank
43 / 214
Full details for Allen Crags
The summit cairn at Allen Crags, looking south-east with the Langdale Pikes on the left and Bow Fell on the right. In the distance, Windermere can be seen on the left with Pike o'Blisco and Wetherlam on the right.
The Wainwright top at Black Fell

Black Fell

Grid Ref
NY 34022 01592
Lat/long
54.405491,-3.017934
///W3W
dislikes.monkey.eruptions
Height
323.0m / 1,060ft
Rank
212 / 214
Full details for Black Fell
The triangulation column (S5334) with National Trust plaque at Black Fell summit (Black Crag), looking south-west towards Holme Fell with Tarn Hows on the left and Wetherlam on the right.
The Wainwright top at Bowfell

Bowfell

Grid Ref
NY 24476 06451
Lat/long
54.447820,-3.166203
///W3W
regret.hinted.haystack
Height
902.9m / 2,962ft
Rank
6 / 214
Full details for Bowfell
The summit at Bowfell, looking south-east to Pike o'Blisco with Windermere on the left and the Coniston fells on the right.
The Wainwright top at Brim Fell

Brim Fell

Grid Ref
SD 27076 98557
Lat/long
54.377271,-3.124173
///W3W
revamping.seemingly.legs
Height
796.0m / 2,612ft
Rank
37 / 214
Full details for Brim Fell
Brim Fell summit cairn, looking north-west to Grey Friar (in shadow) on the left and the Scafell range in the distance.
The Wainwright top at Cold Pike

Cold Pike

Grid Ref
NY 26288 03613
Lat/long
54.422587,-3.137559
///W3W
pots.layers.shifts
Height
701.0m / 2,300ft
Rank
88 / 214
Full details for Cold Pike
A small cairn on a pedestal of rock marks the summit of Cold Pike. This view looks north-east with the Langdale Pikes on the left and Pike o'Blisco on the right.
The Wainwright top at Coniston Old Man

Coniston Old Man

Grid Ref
SD 27243 97817
Lat/long
54.370645,-3.121421
///W3W
chats.pulps.pacifist
Height
802.4m / 2,633ft
Rank
32 / 214
Full details for Coniston Old Man
The beehive cairn at Coniston Old Man summit, looking east with Coniston Water on the right.
The Wainwright top at Crinkle Crags (Long Top)

Crinkle Crags (Long Top)

Grid Ref
NY 24866 04872
Lat/long
54.433691,-3.159789
///W3W
torso.reveal.table
Height
859.0m / 2,818ft
Rank
17 / 214
Full details for Crinkle Crags (Long Top)
Crinkle Crags (Long Top) summit cairn, looking north to Bowfell. The prominent peak on the horizon (right) is Skiddaw with Blencathra (far right).
The Wainwright top at Dow Crag

Dow Crag

Grid Ref
SD 26254 97793
Lat/long
54.370287,-3.136635
///W3W
rehearsed.pile.promotion
Height
778.0m / 2,552ft
Rank
48 / 214
Full details for Dow Crag
The rocky summit of Dow Crag, looking north-east to Brim Fell. There's no room for a cairn at this summit.
The Wainwright top at Esk Pike

Esk Pike

Grid Ref
NY 23651 07504
Lat/long
54.457158,-3.179195
///W3W
mocked.conceals.monument
Height
885.0m / 2,904ft
Rank
11 / 214
Full details for Esk Pike
The summit at Esk Pike, looking north-east. Derwentwater is just visible on the left, behind Glaramara. The horizon is dominated by the Northern Fells (left) and the whole length of the Helvellyn range (centre).
The Wainwright top at Glaramara

Glaramara

Grid Ref
NY 24722 10561
Lat/long
54.484786,-3.163458
///W3W
guests.nest.slurred
Height
783.0m / 2,569ft
Rank
45 / 214
Full details for Glaramara
Glaramara (north-east) summit cairn, looking north along Borrowdale to Derwentwater with the Skiddaw massif in the distance. Dale Head is on the left, backed by Eel Crag and Grisedale Pike.
The Wainwright top at Great Carrs

Great Carrs

Grid Ref
NY 27079 00949
Lat/long
54.398764,-3.124715
///W3W
sprawls.desktops.auctioned
Height
785.0m / 2,575ft
Rank
42 / 214
Full details for Great Carrs
Great Carrs northern summit cairn, looking north towards a distant Skiddaw with Crinkle Crags and Bowfell on the left.
The Wainwright top at Great End

Great End

Grid Ref
NY 22672 08385
Lat/long
54.464926,-3.194523
///W3W
splinters.goggle.filer
Height
909.5m / 2,984ft
Rank
5 / 214
Full details for Great End
The south-east summit cairn at Great End, looking north-east to Glaramara with the Helvellyn range in the distance.
The Wainwright top at Green Crag

Green Crag

Grid Ref
SD 20015 98275
Lat/long
54.373676,-3.232775
///W3W
making.signature.revolts
Height
488.7m / 1,603ft
Rank
176 / 214
Full details for Green Crag
Green Crag summit cairn, looking north-east to Harter Fell (in shadow) and the Scafell range in the distance.
The Wainwright top at Grey Friar

Grey Friar

Grid Ref
NY 26009 00360
Lat/long
54.393317,-3.141046
///W3W
shelved.balconies.rumble
Height
773.0m / 2,536ft
Rank
52 / 214
Full details for Grey Friar
Grey Friar summit, looking north-east to Great Carrs and Swirl How.
The Wainwright top at Hard Knott

Hard Knott

Grid Ref
NY 23188 02376
Lat/long
54.411013,-3.185004
///W3W
habits.spokes.removable
Height
549.0m / 1,801ft
Rank
152 / 214
Full details for Hard Knott
The summit cairn at Hard Knott, looking north to the fantastic panorama taking in the Scafell range, Esk Pike, and Bowfell.
The Wainwright top at Harter Fell [Eskdale]

Harter Fell [Eskdale]

Grid Ref
SD 21876 99713
Lat/long
54.386885,-3.204513
///W3W
engineers.corporate.twit
Height
654.0m / 2,146ft
Rank
112 / 214
Full details for Harter Fell [Eskdale]
The triangulation pillar (S5759) at Harter Fell summit, looking north-east to the rock tor (true summit).
The Wainwright top at Holme Fell

Holme Fell

Grid Ref
NY 31531 00657
Lat/long
54.396759,-3.056086
///W3W
stick.quintet.afterglow
Height
317.0m / 1,040ft
Rank
213 / 214
Full details for Holme Fell
The (generally accepted) Wainwright top at Holme Fell (not the true summit), looking north with Great Intake in the middle distance on the left. In the distance the Langdale Pikes and Lingmoor Fell appear on the left with Helvellyn and Fairfield on the right.
The Wainwright top at Illgill Head

Illgill Head

Grid Ref
NY 16542 04804
Lat/long
54.431780,-3.288060
///W3W
attic.buffoon.signature
Height
608.8m / 1,997ft
Rank
128 / 214
Full details for Illgill Head
The Wainwright top at Illgill Head. This is the cairn at the south top, looking north-east to Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell, and Great Gable. This is not the highest point on the fell, the north top is higher.
The Wainwright top at Lingmell

Lingmell

Grid Ref
NY 20934 08177
Lat/long
54.462789,-3.221274
///W3W
depended.obeyed.amending
Height
807.0m / 2,648ft
Rank
29 / 214
Full details for Lingmell
Lingmell summit cairn, looking north to Great Gable.
The Wainwright top at Lingmoor Fell

Lingmoor Fell

Grid Ref
NY 30273 04604
Lat/long
54.432054,-3.076387
///W3W
hairspray.seating.event
Height
470.0m / 1,542ft
Rank
184 / 214
Full details for Lingmoor Fell
The small cairn and rocky outcrop at Lingmoor Fell summit (Brown How), looking north-west to a moody Langdale Pikes.
The Wainwright top at Pike o'Blisco

Pike o’Blisco

Grid Ref
NY 27119 04213
Lat/long
54.428098,-3.124902
///W3W
emulated.caveman.clasps
Height
705.0m / 2,313ft
Rank
86 / 214
Full details for Pike o’Blisco
Pike o'Blisco summit cairn, looking south-east towards the lower, subsidiary summit cairn, with Windermere on the left, and Wetherlam on the right.
The Wainwright top at Rossett Pike

Rossett Pike

Grid Ref
NY 24911 07568
Lat/long
54.457921,-3.159780
///W3W
skim.annoys.gateway
Height
651.0m / 2,136ft
Rank
114 / 214
Full details for Rossett Pike
The summit Cairn at Rossett Pike, looking east. The Langdale Pikes are on the left with the slopes of Pike o'Blisco on the right.
The Wainwright top at Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot)

Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot)

Grid Ref
NY 25831 12479
Lat/long
54.502183,-3.146826
///W3W
pony.overture.cheek
Height
551.0m / 1,808ft
Rank
150 / 214
Full details for Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot)
Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot) summit cairn, looking north with High Spy on the left and the Skiddaw massif on the right.
The Wainwright top at Scafell

Scafell

Grid Ref
NY 20682 06478
Lat/long
54.447484,-3.224705
///W3W
qualified.symphonic.smothered
Height
963.9m / 3,162ft
Rank
2 / 214
Full details for Scafell
Scafell summit, a small cairn on a rock plinth. Looking north-east with Scafell Pike on the left and Bowfell on the right.
The Wainwright top at Scafell Pike

Scafell Pike

Grid Ref
NY 21541 07216
Lat/long
54.454248,-3.211657
///W3W
sonic.view.rejoins
Height
978.1m / 3,209ft
Rank
1 / 214
Full details for Scafell Pike
The Ordnance Survey triangulation column (S1537) and stone-built rotunda at a busy Scafell Pike summit.
The Wainwright top at Seathwaite Fell

Seathwaite Fell

Grid Ref
NY 22904 10183
Lat/long
54.481116,-3.191414
///W3W
hubcaps.conveys.stores
Height
601.0m / 1,972ft
Rank
130 / 214
Full details for Seathwaite Fell
The summit cairn at Seathwaite Fell, looking north to Borrowdale and Derwent Water, with Dale Head on the left, Castle Crag looking very small on the right, and Skiddaw and Blencathra in the distance.
The Wainwright top at Slight Side

Slight Side

Grid Ref
NY 20991 05014
Lat/long
54.434378,-3.219550
///W3W
column.choppy.zinc
Height
762.0m / 2,500ft
Rank
58 / 214
Full details for Slight Side
Slight Side summit, a few stones mark the top on a large rocky outcrop. Looking north with Scafell, Long Green, Scafell Pike and Ill Crag on the horizon.
The Wainwright top at Swirl How

Swirl How

Grid Ref
NY 27281 00552
Lat/long
54.395226,-3.121507
///W3W
wonderful.tonality.softly
Height
802.4m / 2,633ft
Rank
31 / 214
Full details for Swirl How
Swirl How summit cairn, looking north-west to Great Carrs and Bow Fell beyond.
The Wainwright top at Wetherlam

Wetherlam

Grid Ref
NY 28819 01112
Lat/long
54.400475,-3.097958
///W3W
lined.jigging.whisk
Height
763.0m / 2,503ft
Rank
56 / 214
Full details for Wetherlam
Wetherlam summit cairn, looking north. Wainwright: “Although the summit is much trodden it bears little imprint of paths.”
The Wainwright top at Whin Rigg

Whin Rigg

Grid Ref
NY 15102 03536
Lat/long
54.420148,-3.309889
///W3W
chaos.estimates.employ
Height
537.0m / 1,762ft
Rank
156 / 214
Full details for Whin Rigg
The shelter cairn at Whin Rigg summit, looking north-east to Yewbarrow and Illgill Head. The cairn has been fashioned into a shelter since Wainwright's sketch (Whin Rigg 7). Wainwright: “The cairn is so delicately poised above the cliffs that a single stride… is sufficient to bring Wast Water into view…”

Southern Fells sortable data

Fell nameNo.Ht.LatLongGrid Ref.
Allen Crags99785.0m54.466353-3.179151NY 23671 08527
Black Fell100323.0m54.405491-3.017934NY 34022 01592
Bowfell101902.9m54.447820-3.166203NY 24476 06451
Brim Fell102796.0m54.377271-3.124173SD 27076 98557
Cold Pike103701.0m54.422587-3.137559NY 26288 03613
Coniston Old Man104802.4m54.370645-3.121421SD 27243 97817
Crinkle Crags (Long Top)105859.0m54.433691-3.159789NY 24866 04872
Dow Crag106778.0m54.370287-3.136635SD 26254 97793
Esk Pike107885.0m54.457158-3.179195NY 23651 07504
Glaramara108783.0m54.484786-3.163458NY 24722 10561
Great Carrs109785.0m54.398764-3.124715NY 27079 00949
Great End110909.5m54.464926-3.194523NY 22672 08385
Green Crag111488.7m54.373676-3.232775SD 20015 98275
Grey Friar112773.0m54.393317-3.141046NY 26009 00360
Hard Knott113549.0m54.411013-3.185004NY 23188 02376
Harter Fell [Eskdale]114654.0m54.386885-3.204513SD 21876 99713
Holme Fell115317.0m54.396759-3.056086NY 31531 00657
Illgill Head116608.8m54.431780-3.288060NY 16542 04804
Lingmell117807.0m54.462789-3.221274NY 20934 08177
Lingmoor Fell118470.0m54.432054-3.076387NY 30273 04604
Pike o'Blisco119705.0m54.428098-3.124902NY 27119 04213
Rossett Pike120651.0m54.457921-3.159780NY 24911 07568
Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot)121551.0m54.502183-3.146826NY 25831 12479
Scafell122963.9m54.447484-3.224705NY 20682 06478
Scafell Pike123978.1m54.454248-3.211657NY 21541 07216
Seathwaite Fell124601.0m54.481116-3.191414NY 22904 10183
Slight Side125762.0m54.434378-3.219550NY 20991 05014
Swirl How126802.4m54.395226-3.121507NY 27281 00552
Wetherlam127763.0m54.400475-3.097958NY 28819 01112
Whin Rigg128537.0m54.420148-3.309889NY 15102 03536