walkhighlands

Great Mell Fell

Wainwrights: Great Mell Fell

Date walked: 17/04/2019

Time taken: 1 hour

Distance: 3km

Ascent: 250m

This is a short and sweet route. Impressive views sweep the landscape towards Helvellyn to the South West, and Blencathra to the North West. To the North East there is an inadequacy of fells and it opens out showing the Eden Valley in all its glory. The fell its self is very distinctive when driving from Penrith into Lakeland on the A66. Its a grassy fell with sparse woodland fringing the bottom of the fell. This fell has a smaller neighbour sharing its name, Little Mell Fell. These two are very similar in walking. They both rise up from marshland, north of Ullswater.
The route its self is simple. There is a small layby opposite Brownrigg Farm in which you can park. From here there is an obvious track heading upwards towards the fell. Follow it up until there is a footpath signed off to the left that looks to be heading towards the summit. Take this path and follow it up to the summit.
The summit itself is a desolate place. A scattering of stones litter the top, somewhat resembling a cairn. Troutbeck Head caravan site is directly below the fell along with the activity centre Rookin House. On a clear day you will be able to see the Helvellyn range and a small amount of Ullswater. The best part of the views however are of Blencathra and the Eden Valley. Great Mell Fell excels in these areas with nothing in the line of sight of these two things. The crags of Blencathra are sharp and dramatic with Bowscale Fell curving down to the right. It is maybe one of the most spectacular views of the Northern Fells with its only downfall being the lack of the Skiddaw range due to towering Blencathra. A horizon line to the North East is formed by the grand Pennines, also known as the backbone of England, this being one of the best spots in Lakeland to view them from, perhaps bar Hellvellyn for the simple sense of height.
The descent is just the same as the ascent however the fell is open access land, meaning a variation from the path could be taken in clear weather, and owned by the National Trust. I believe the woods are out of bounds however with signs asking wanders to keep out.
Overall I would give this fell a 7/10 mark. It is a very nice climb which could be used in bad weather since there are no crags or sharp edges and the path is worn into the ground making it easy to follow. The views on a clear day are stunning and similar to its sibling Little Mell Fell you can park very close to the route, making it short and easy- ideal for peak bagging.
Weather for me- clear, slightly windy, not raining.

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sarahannefells


Activity: Hill Bagger
Place: Lake District
Ideal day out: A walk in the hills.
Ambition: Complete the Wainwrights

Wainwrights: 55
Hewitts: 23



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Statistics

2019

Trips: 1
Distance: 3 km
Ascent: 250m
Wainwrights 1


Joined: Jul 31, 2020
Last visited: Aug 07, 2023
Total posts: 1 | Search posts