THE NORTH WESTERN FELLS

'The North Western Fells occupy a compact area, elliptical in plan, with clearly defined boundaries formed by the Rivers Derwent and Cocker.  Only at one point, Honister pass, is there a link with other high country, but even here, quite obviously, one mountain system ends and another begins.  In all other places around the perimeter of the area deep valleys sever the North Western Fells from the neighbouring heights. ...

In size, the area is not very extensive on the map of Lakeland, but because its slopes rise immediately and steeply from the deep surrounding valleys, nothing is wasted: all is mountain country, first-class fellwalking territory.  The hills tend to crowd together in the confined space available, but not in confusion and disarray, for connecting links bridge the tops in a pattern of high crests and scarped arêtes that are a joy to explore.  Indeed, here is to be found some of the finest ridge-walking in the district, smooth going for the most part, none of it difficult, none of it dangerous with ordinary care, all of it very pleasant and providing views of unsurpassed beauty.'
Alfred Wainwright The North Western Fells

NB:  The heights of fells given in this table are those as recorded by Alfred Wainwright in his original set of Pictorial Guides and not the revised heights resurveyed by Ordnance Survey and printed on their latest 1:25000 Explorer maps.

* Sale Fell was Beattie's first Wainwright!

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Photographs taken with a Fuji MX-2900 Zoom or a Canon EOS 20D
Copyright © 2009 Derek Cockell     All Rights Reserved

THE PICTORIAL GUIDES

The Eastern Fells
The Far Eastern Fells
The Central Fells
The Southern Fells
The Northern Fells
The North Western Fells
The Western Fells

The 214 Challenge