Western Fells · Book 7

Mellbreak (south top)

Mellbreak (south top) is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 512 m (1,680 ft) it is the 168th highest of the 214 and the 27th highest in the Western Fells.

Height: 512 m; 1,680 ft
Rank: 168; of 214
In area: 27; of 33
Difficulty: Moderate

Mellbreak (south top) in the Western Fells of the Lake District — Photo: N/A

About Mellbreak (south top)

Twin summits and steep flanks above Crummock Water. Short sharp pulls, sheep tracks and sudden drama. Feels wild despite modest height.

Seen from the Kirkstile Inn at Loweswater, the north end of Mellbreak is a wall of crag and scree, and the popular way up goes straight at it. Park by the inn, at Maggie's Bridge (about ten cars) or at the larger car park at Scalehill Bridge and Lanthwaite Wood. From the inn a walled track leads to the foot of a long tongue of scree. The next kilometre averages a gradient of about 30 per cent. Take the scree head on or use the heathery bypasses to its right. All the lines meet at a gully through the crags that is full of loose stones. Above it the path eases through heather to the north top.

The two tops are almost the same height and about a kilometre apart. The north top, 509 m, is rocky and sits on the crags of the north face, and from it you can see the Solway Firth. The south top, 512 m, is the true summit, a grassy rise reached across a dip of boggy ground, knolls and tiny tarns. From either one Grasmoor and Rannerdale Knotts look big across Crummock Water.

Other ways up

One path slants south along the Mosedale face and skips the north top. From the Crummock shore, Pillar Rake climbs a diagonal break in the crags. From Buttermere village the Scale Force path leads to Scale Knott and the south top.

Walk Lakes' loop goes over both tops and down past Scale Knott to Scale Force, 52 m high and thought to be the tallest waterfall in the Lake District, then back along Crummock Water. It is 11 km with 600 m of ascent. Marshy ground surrounds the fell on three sides, and Mosedale to the west is the worst of it.

In winter

The scree tongue and the loose gully through the crags at the north end are hard going when frozen, and worse in descent. The dip between the two tops is boggy with small tarns, and the north and east crags are close to the path in mist.

Quiet & Remote
Potentially Dangerous
Dog Friendly

Sources: Wikipedia: Mellbreak, Walk Lakes: Mellbreak and Scale Force, Walking Englishman: Mellbreak, Hen Comb, Gavel Fell, Blake Fell and Burnbank Fell. Updated 24 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 148 186
Latitude: 54.55556° N
Longitude: 3.31823° W
Area: Western Fells

Walking up Mellbreak (south top)

The nearest car park on foot is Kirkstile Inn Car Park, 3.3 km (2.0 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Kirkstile Inn Car Park

Distance: 3.3 km; 2.0 miles, one way
Ascent: 453 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 1 h 19 min; Allow 1 to 2 hours

Height in metres along the path from Kirkstile Inn 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. Check the mountain forecast before you go and carry a map and compass.

Mellbreak (south top) questions

Is Mellbreak (south top) a Wainwright?

Yes. Mellbreak (south top) 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 Mellbreak (south top)?

Mellbreak (south top) is 512 metres (1,680 feet) high. That makes it the 168th highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the 27th highest in the Western Fells.

Where do you park for Mellbreak (south top)?

The nearest car park on foot is Kirkstile Inn Car Park, 3.3 km (2.0 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Mellbreak (south top)?

From Kirkstile Inn Car Park it is 3.3 km with 453 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 1 h 19 min, so allow 1 to 2 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Mellbreak (south top)?

Upfell rates Mellbreak (south top) as moderate, and parts of it can be dangerous in poor weather or visibility. Check the mountain weather forecast before you set out and carry a map and compass.

Which Wainwrights are near Mellbreak (south top)?

The closest are Hen Comb (509 m, 1.7 km W), Rannerdale Knotts (355 m, 1.9 km E) and Starling Dodd (633 m, 2.9 km S).

What is the grid reference for the summit of Mellbreak (south top)?

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 148 186, or 54.55556, -3.31823 in latitude and longitude.