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A guide to bagging Wainwright's Lakeland Fells.

Book Five

The Northern Fells

Skiddaw from Long Side

The Northern Fells area is described in Book Five of Wainwright’s Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. They are divided into three main groups, the Skiddaw group to the west, the Blencathra group to the east, and The Uldale Fells to the north (sometimes referred to as the “Back o’Skidda”). The area is 13km wide from Ullock Pike in the west to Souther Fell in the east and contains just 24 summits, including popular tops such as Skiddaw and Blencathra. Classic walks include the Skiddaw Horseshoe from Ullock Pike to Bakestall.

Northern Fells location and routes

This map shows the distribution of the 24 Northern Fells. It also shows all the ridge routes described in Wainwright’s guide and any other viable routes between adjacent fells. This is the smallest of the seven Wainwright areas. It is formed by three clear groupings, the Ulldale Fells to the north, the Skiddaw group to the west, and the Blencathra group to the east, plus the outlier of Binsey. The entire group forms a discrete area of high ground, bounded by valleys to west and south, and by plains to north and east. Easy access along the A66 means that the highest members of the group, Skiddaw and Blencathra are popular with walkers while the Ulldale Fells are generally quieter.

Northern Fells elevation

1,000m 900m 800m 700m 600m 500m 400m 300m 200m 100m 673.0m (2,208ft) 683.0m (2,241ft) 447.0m (1,467ft) 868.0m (2,848ft) 702.0m (2,303ft) 586.0m (1,923ft) 746.0m (2,448ft) 663.0m (2,175ft) 502.0m (1,647ft) 690.0m (2,264ft) 526.0m (1,726ft) 651.0m (2,136ft) 658.0m (2,159ft) 710.0m (2,329ft) 368.0m (1,207ft) 483.0m (1,585ft) 734.0m (2,408ft) 715.0m (2,346ft) 550.0m (1,804ft) 633.0m (2,077ft) 931.0m (3,054ft) 865.0m (2,838ft) 522.0m (1,713ft) 690.0m (2,264ft) Bakestall Bannerdale Crags Binsey Blencathra Bowscale Fell Brae Fell Carl Side Carrock Fell Dodd Great Calva Great Cockup Great Sca Fell High Pike [Caldbeck] Knott Latrigg Longlands Fell Long Side Lonscale Fell Meal Fell Mungrisdale Common Skiddaw Skiddaw Little Man Souther Fell Ullock Pike 100m 200m 300m 400m 500m 600m 700m 800m 900m 1,000m 673.0m (2,208ft) 683.0m (2,241ft) 447.0m (1,467ft) 868.0m (2,848ft) 702.0m (2,303ft) 586.0m (1,923ft) 746.0m (2,448ft) 663.0m (2,175ft) 502.0m (1,647ft) 690.0m (2,264ft) 526.0m (1,726ft) 651.0m (2,136ft) 658.0m (2,159ft) 710.0m (2,329ft) 368.0m (1,207ft) 483.0m (1,585ft) 734.0m (2,408ft) 715.0m (2,346ft) 550.0m (1,804ft) 633.0m (2,077ft) 931.0m (3,054ft) 865.0m (2,838ft) 522.0m (1,713ft) 690.0m (2,264ft) Bakestall Bannerdale Crags Binsey Blencathra Bowscale Fell Brae Fell Carl Side Carrock Fell Dodd Great Calva Great Cockup Great Sca Fell High Pike [Caldbeck] Knott Latrigg Longlands Fell Long Side Lonscale Fell Meal Fell Mungrisdale Common Skiddaw Skiddaw Little Man Souther Fell Ullock Pike

Northern Fells height statistics

Number of fells
24
Total height
15,596 metres (51,168 feet)
Average height
650 metres (2,132 feet)
Highest fell
Skiddaw — 931.0 metres (3,054 feet)
Lowest fell
Latrigg — 368.0 metres (1,207 feet)

Northern Fells summits

The Wainwright top at Bakestall

Bakestall

Grid Ref
NY 26634 30855
Lat/long
54.667408,-3.139027
///W3W
undivided.flop.after
Height
673.0m / 2,208ft
Rank
101 / 214
Full details for Bakestall
The large cairn at the Wainwright top (not the highest point) at Bakestall, looking north-east over the Uldale Fells. Knott appears as the highest point with a dark Carrock Fell on the right.
The Wainwright top at Bannerdale Crags

Bannerdale Crags

Grid Ref
NY 33612 29076
Lat/long
54.652392,-3.030452
///W3W
hunk.submit.tangling
Height
683.0m / 2,241ft
Rank
97 / 214
Full details for Bannerdale Crags
The “currick” cairn at Bannerdale Crags. This is not the highest point (that is marked by another small cairn 100m to the south-west) but it is the Wainwright summit and has the better aspect.
The Wainwright top at Binsey

Binsey

Grid Ref
NY 22512 35528
Lat/long
54.708775,-3.204164
///W3W
repayment.relished.member
Height
447.0m / 1,467ft
Rank
192 / 214
Full details for Binsey
The cairn, stone-built Ordnance Survey triangulation column (S5707) and wind shelter at Binsey summit, looking west to the viewpoint cairn (right).
The Wainwright top at Blencathra

Blencathra

Grid Ref
NY 32346 27708
Lat/long
54.639932,-3.049753
///W3W
irritable.october.lives
Height
868.0m / 2,848ft
Rank
14 / 214
Full details for Blencathra
The Ordnance Survey trig detector ring at Blencathra summit (before it was stolen in August 2018), looking west along the summit ridge and to Skiddaw beyond.
The Wainwright top at Bowscale Fell

Bowscale Fell

Grid Ref
NY 33339 30541
Lat/long
54.665519,-3.035017
///W3W
balanced.mothering.spun
Height
702.0m / 2,303ft
Rank
87 / 214
Full details for Bowscale Fell
The wind shelter at Bowscale Fell summit, looking south to Bannerdale Crags and Blencathra (Atkinson Pike).
The Wainwright top at Brae Fell

Brae Fell

Grid Ref
NY 28875 35159
Lat/long
54.706401,-3.105339
///W3W
poorly.twice.refers
Height
586.0m / 1,923ft
Rank
134 / 214
Full details for Brae Fell
The substantial summit cairn at Brae Fell, looking north-west to the Solway Firth with Binsey on the left.
The Wainwright top at Carl Side

Carl Side

Grid Ref
NY 25496 28087
Lat/long
54.642371,-3.155961
///W3W
hooked.oath.eliminate
Height
746.0m / 2,448ft
Rank
64 / 214
Full details for Carl Side
Carl Side summit cairn, looking south-east to Skiddaw Little Man with Clough Head and Great Dodd on the right.
The Wainwright top at Carrock Fell

Carrock Fell

Grid Ref
NY 34169 33639
Lat/long
54.693465,-3.022851
///W3W
award.replying.drove
Height
663.0m / 2,175ft
Rank
105 / 214
Full details for Carrock Fell
The rock plinth and shapely cairn at Carrock Fell summit, looking south-west to Great Calva and Skiddaw in the misty distance.
The Wainwright top at Dodd

Dodd

Grid Ref
NY 24438 27350
Lat/long
54.635591,-3.172160
///W3W
economics.crabmeat.quest
Height
502.0m / 1,647ft
Rank
175 / 214
Full details for Dodd
The slate memorial stone at Dodd summit, looking north-west to Bassenthwaite Lake.
The Wainwright top at Great Calva

Great Calva

Grid Ref
NY 29089 31187
Lat/long
54.670743,-3.101052
///W3W
daydreams.racing.awakening
Height
690.0m / 2,264ft
Rank
95 / 214
Full details for Great Calva
Great Calva summit cairn, looking south-east across Mungrisdale Common to Bowscale Fell and Blencathra.
The Wainwright top at Great Cockup

Great Cockup

Grid Ref
NY 27337 33320
Lat/long
54.689658,-3.128744
///W3W
recipient.competing.homing
Height
526.0m / 1,726ft
Rank
158 / 214
Full details for Great Cockup
Great Cockup summit cairn, looking south-west to Dead Crags and Skiddaw with the slopes of Great Calva on the left.
The Wainwright top at Great Sca Fell

Great Sca Fell

Grid Ref
NY 29137 33900
Lat/long
54.695126,-3.100967
///W3W
devours.contrived.uproot
Height
651.0m / 2,136ft
Rank
115 / 214
Full details for Great Sca Fell
Great Sca Fell summit cairn at a junction of paths and looking south-west with Dead Crags, Bakestall, and Skiddaw on the left.
The Wainwright top at High Pike [Caldbeck]

High Pike [Caldbeck]

Grid Ref
NY 31877 35000
Lat/long
54.705388,-3.058722
///W3W
articulated.suppers.uplifting
Height
658.0m / 2,159ft
Rank
107 / 214
Full details for High Pike [Caldbeck]
The triangulation column (S6945), shelter cairn and slate seat at High Pike summit, looking south-east to Carrock Fell.
The Wainwright top at Knott

Knott

Grid Ref
NY 29617 32984
Lat/long
54.686963,-3.093300
///W3W
person.canoe.belief
Height
710.0m / 2,329ft
Rank
82 / 214
Full details for Knott
Knott summit cairn, looking south-west with Skiddaw Little Man in the centre, Lonscale Fell and Great Calva on the left, and Skiddaw and Bakestall on the right.
The Wainwright top at Latrigg

Latrigg

Grid Ref
NY 27922 24699
Lat/long
54.612283,-3.117543
///W3W
oldest.wept.auctioned
Height
368.0m / 1,207ft
Rank
206 / 214
Full details for Latrigg
Latrigg summit, looking south-west to Keswick and Derwentwater with the North Western Fells in the distance.
The Wainwright top at Longlands Fell

Longlands Fell

Grid Ref
NY 27593 35401
Lat/long
54.708392,-3.125291
///W3W
bloomers.amended.lifts
Height
483.0m / 1,585ft
Rank
180 / 214
Full details for Longlands Fell
Longlands Fell summit cairn, looking south-west with Skiddaw on the left and Bassenthwaite Lake on the right.
The Wainwright top at Long Side

Long Side

Grid Ref
NY 24880 28443
Lat/long
54.645478,-3.165595
///W3W
zipped.keener.indicates
Height
734.0m / 2,408ft
Rank
71 / 214
Full details for Long Side
Long Side summit cairn, looking east to Skiddaw, Skiddaw Little Man and Carl Side.
The Wainwright top at Lonscale Fell

Lonscale Fell

Grid Ref
NY 28540 27171
Lat/long
54.634581,-3.108580
///W3W
minority.below.roadways
Height
715.0m / 2,346ft
Rank
80 / 214
Full details for Lonscale Fell
Lonscale Fell summit cairn, looking north-west to Skiddaw Little Man (in shadow) and Skiddaw Man on the right.
The Wainwright top at Meal Fell

Meal Fell

Grid Ref
NY 28258 33711
Lat/long
54.693303,-3.114556
///W3W
helpers.officer.punctual
Height
550.0m / 1,804ft
Rank
151 / 214
Full details for Meal Fell
The small summit cairn (highest point) at Meal Fell, looking south-west towards the wind shelter (Wainwright top) with Bakestall and Skiddaw in the distance.
The Wainwright top at Mungrisdale Common

Mungrisdale Common

Grid Ref
NY 31055 29228
Lat/long
54.653414,-3.070111
///W3W
regularly.flushes.tripling
Height
633.0m / 2,077ft
Rank
121 / 214
Full details for Mungrisdale Common
The small summit cairn at Mungrisdale Common is rather underwhelming after a long, damp trudge. This view looks west to the Skiddaw massif with Lonscale Fell on the left.
The Wainwright top at Skiddaw

Skiddaw

Grid Ref
NY 26043 29081
Lat/long
54.651382,-3.147739
///W3W
unionists.sports.shocks
Height
931.0m / 3,054ft
Rank
4 / 214
Full details for Skiddaw
The concrete triangulation column (S1543) at Skiddaw summit, looking south-west to Lonscale Fell with Blencathra and the Helvellyn range beyond.
The Wainwright top at Skiddaw Little Man

Skiddaw Little Man

Grid Ref
NY 26676 27792
Lat/long
54.639893,-3.137607
///W3W
brand.boldest.golden
Height
865.0m / 2,838ft
Rank
15 / 214
Full details for Skiddaw Little Man
Skiddaw Little Man summit, looking east to Lonscale Fell and Blencathra. The small summit cairn is just out of shot on the right.
The Wainwright top at Souther Fell

Souther Fell

Grid Ref
NY 35472 29141
Lat/long
54.653218,-3.001643
///W3W
donates.customers.loudness
Height
522.0m / 1,713ft
Rank
163 / 214
Full details for Souther Fell
A small patch of exposed rock marks the summit of Souther Fell, looking west to Bannerdale Crags with Blencathra (Saddleback) beyond.
The Wainwright top at Ullock Pike

Ullock Pike

Grid Ref
NY 24443 28758
Lat/long
54.648243,-3.172447
///W3W
adjuster.ruby.cluttered
Height
690.0m / 2,264ft
Rank
96 / 214
Full details for Ullock Pike
Ullock Pike summit, looking east to Skiddaw, Skiddaw Little Man and Long Side. One of the best views in the district.

Northern Fells sortable data

Fell nameNo.Ht.LatLongGrid Ref.
Bakestall129673.0m54.667408-3.139027NY 26634 30855
Bannerdale Crags130683.0m54.652392-3.030452NY 33612 29076
Binsey131447.0m54.708775-3.204164NY 22512 35528
Blencathra132868.0m54.639932-3.049753NY 32346 27708
Bowscale Fell133702.0m54.665519-3.035017NY 33339 30541
Brae Fell134586.0m54.706401-3.105339NY 28875 35159
Carl Side135746.0m54.642371-3.155961NY 25496 28087
Carrock Fell136663.0m54.693465-3.022851NY 34169 33639
Dodd137502.0m54.635591-3.172160NY 24438 27350
Great Calva138690.0m54.670743-3.101052NY 29089 31187
Great Cockup139526.0m54.689658-3.128744NY 27337 33320
Great Sca Fell140651.0m54.695126-3.100967NY 29137 33900
High Pike [Caldbeck]141658.0m54.705388-3.058722NY 31877 35000
Knott142710.0m54.686963-3.093300NY 29617 32984
Latrigg143368.0m54.612283-3.117543NY 27922 24699
Longlands Fell144483.0m54.708392-3.125291NY 27593 35401
Long Side145734.0m54.645478-3.165595NY 24880 28443
Lonscale Fell146715.0m54.634581-3.108580NY 28540 27171
Meal Fell147550.0m54.693303-3.114556NY 28258 33711
Mungrisdale Common148633.0m54.653414-3.070111NY 31055 29228
Skiddaw149931.0m54.651382-3.147739NY 26043 29081
Skiddaw Little Man150865.0m54.639893-3.137607NY 26676 27792
Souther Fell151522.0m54.653218-3.001643NY 35472 29141
Ullock Pike152690.0m54.648243-3.172447NY 24443 28758