Western Fells · Book 7

Fellbarrow

Fellbarrow is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 416 m (1,365 ft) it is the 200th highest of the 214 and the lowest in the Western Fells.

Height: 416 m; 1,365 ft
Rank: 200; of 214
In area: 33; of 33
Difficulty: Easy

Fellbarrow in the Western Fells of the Lake District — Photo: Freddyj66 via Wikimedia Commons

About Fellbarrow

A rounded grassy ridge at the northern end of the Loweswater Fells, above the Vale of Lorton. Short climbs from Thackthwaite or Low Lorton lead to a trig point with the sea one way and the Grasmoor fells the other.

A two mile grassy ridge runs north from Low Fell to Fellbarrow, the last outpost of the Western Fells before the farmland of west Cumberland. The Vale of Lorton lies below it to the east.

Thackthwaite, a hamlet on the west side of the vale, is the best start. Parking is tight: a short layby just north of the hamlet takes a couple of cars. Go into the yard at Thackthwaite farm and up the lane signed for Low Fell, which is steep and rough. Field edges lead to an old drove road that climbs over the shoulder of Watching Crag. Near its top, turn north along the fence to Fellbarrow. Carrying on south over Smithy Fell and Sourfoot Fell brings you to Low Fell, and the round is about 8 km with 445 metres of ascent. From Low Lorton a lane leads west to the track for Hatteringill and the north east ridge over Broadmoor Hill.

It is grass and moss nearly all the way, with fences running along and across the ridge and no difficulties underfoot.

The summit is a curving grassy dome with a trig pillar and a small cairn, just over a low fence from the path. To the west and north the Irish Sea and the Solway Firth lie beyond the Cumberland plain. East, across Lorton, the Whiteside and Grisedale Pike ridge stands out, with Skiddaw and Blencathra behind, and further round you see the northern wall of Ennerdale backed by Pillar and the Scafells. No lake is visible from the top.

When Wainwright surveyed the ridge he had to estimate the heights and took Fellbarrow to be the higher end. The Ordnance Survey now gives Low Fell 423 metres to Fellbarrow's 416.

In winter

The lane up from Thackthwaite runs like a beck after heavy rain, and the dips between the tops hold bog. Otherwise it is a short grassy walk that fits a winter day, and the fences running along the ridge make easy handrails in mist.

Great Views
Family Walk
Dog Friendly

Sources: Wikipedia: Fellbarrow, Walk Lakes: Fellbarrow from Thackthwaite, Lorton Vale. Updated 22 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 132 242
Latitude: 54.60591° N
Longitude: 3.34495° W
Area: Western Fells

Walking up Fellbarrow

The nearest car park on foot is Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park, 4.3 km (2.7 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park

Distance: 4.3 km; 2.7 miles, one way
Ascent: 399 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 1 h 28 min; Allow 1 to 2 hours

Height in metres along the path from Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park to the summit.

Times use Naismith’s rule, 5 km/h on the flat plus extra time for the climb, with Langmuir’s corrections. It’s a rule of thumb for the way up only, so add stops, weather and the walk back down.

The route follows paths mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors and isn’t a guided line. This car park was picked automatically and hasn’t been checked by hand yet, so compare it with a map. Check the mountain forecast before you go and carry a map and compass.

Fellbarrow questions

Is Fellbarrow a Wainwright?

Yes. Fellbarrow is one of the 214 fells Alfred Wainwright described in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, in Book 7, The Western Fells.

How high is Fellbarrow?

Fellbarrow is 416 metres (1,365 feet) high. That makes it the 200th highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the lowest in the Western Fells.

Where do you park for Fellbarrow?

The nearest car park on foot is Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park, 4.3 km (2.7 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Fellbarrow?

From Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park it is 4.3 km with 399 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 1 h 28 min, so allow 1 to 2 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Fellbarrow?

Upfell rates Fellbarrow as easy. Check the mountain weather forecast before you set out and carry a map and compass.

Which Wainwrights are near Fellbarrow?

The closest are Low Fell (423 m, 2.0 km S), Burnbank Fell (475 m, 4.0 km SW) and Whiteside (west top) (707 m, 4.4 km SE).

What is the grid reference for the summit of Fellbarrow?

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 132 242, or 54.60591, -3.34495 in latitude and longitude.