“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 an intimidating ruggedness and wildness of terrain that makes their ascent rather more formidable than their size and altitude would suggest. Middle Fell, overlooking Wastwater, comes into this category”
A Wainwright
The fells to the north of Wastwater the fellside rises up steeply over rough craggy slopes to eventually level off to a grassy summit plateau, each of the three summits on this route offer wonderful views over the Wasdale Valley and beyond and from the summit of Middle Fell the walker is rewarded with some of the best views of the Scafell Range and the high fells surrounding the head of the Wasdale Valley.
This route takes in as much of these views as we can fit into a days walking, the two rocky summits of Buckbarrow and Middle Fell as well as the higher grassy summit of Seatallan.
“The most extensive views are not necessarily the finest, and here, from Middle Fell, is a charmer restricted in distance by the Wasdale Mountains, which however, compensate for the deficiency by their own striking appearance”
A Wainwright
From Greendale we will follow the lane to the west, mostly walking off the road and on the grassy slopes above the roadside until we reach Gill Beck and the path up the steeper fellside towards the summit of Buckbarrow.
The views from Buckbarrow are wonderful, across Wastwater to the Wasdale Screes and the summits of Illgill Head and Whin Rigg above.
From Buckbarrow the terrain becomes a little easier, grassy slopes lead north over Glade How and Cat Bields and follow the ridge to the north to the summit of Seatallan.
The summit of Seatallan is marked by a trig point and a large cairn that dates back to the Bronze Age.
From the summit of Seatallan we descend the grassy slope to the east to the col above Greendale Tarn and follow the ridge up onto the summit of Middle Fell.
We have left the best views of the day to the final summit, from Middle Fell we have some of the best views across the valley to Scafell Pike, Scafell and Lingmell as well as along the valley across Wastwater, the Wasdale Screes and the West Cumbrian coast.
From Middle Fell we descend the southern shoulder, dropping down to Greendale Gill and the path back to Greendale.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Overbeck Bridge, Wasdale
Postcode: CA20 1EU
Grid Reference: NY 168 068
Directions
Gosforth can easily be found just off the A595, to the south of Egremont, follow the road through the village, following the signs for Wasdale. Pass through the village and continue on this road to Wastwater, taking the road towards Wasdale Head, cross the cattle Grid by Netherbeck Bridge and continue until the National Trust car park (free) is seen on the left just after Overbeck Bridge, we will meet here.
Bus Services
Ptterdale is served by buses, the main bus stop is 100m from the meet point.
The 508 bus runs between Penrith and Patterdale, during the summer months there is also a bus from Windermere to Patterdale.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
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