Far Eastern Fells · Book 2

Troutbeck Tongue

Troutbeck Tongue is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 364 m (1,194 ft) it is the 207th highest of the 214 and the lowest in the Far Eastern Fells.

Height: 364 m; 1,194 ft
Rank: 207; of 214
In area: 36; of 36
Difficulty: Moderate

Troutbeck Tongue in the Far Eastern Fells of the Lake District — Photo: N/A

About Troutbeck Tongue

A neat grassy ridge rising from the heart of Troutbeck. Quiet approaches lead to a steeper final pull and fine views to Ill Bell and the Kentmere horseshoe. Best linked with the valley tracks for a satisfying circuit.

Beatrix Potter bought Troutbeck Park Farm, at the foot of this fell, in 1923. When she died in 1943 she left it to the National Trust along with 13 other Lake District farms.

Troutbeck Tongue is a low ridge that runs south west off the main Ill Bell ridge, just north of Froswick, and splits the head of the Troutbeck valley in two, with Trout Beck on one side and Hagg Gill on the other. At 364 metres it is a small fell, and the walk in is longer than the climb.

Start in Troutbeck village, on the A592 about three miles north of Windermere. Walk up the valley beside Trout Beck along Ing Lane to Troutbeck Park Farm. From there the climb onto the southern tip takes under half an hour, but it's steep and rough, with rocky outcrops, and there are walls and fences to get over. From the top you can carry on north along the grassy spine and drop to the valley at the far end, where the ridge dips to about 295 metres and there are old cairns. Longer days go round the whole valley over Sour Howes, Sallows, Yoke, Ill Bell and Froswick, then come down Hagg Gill.

Higher fells wall in the summit on three sides, but the view south is open. You look straight down the length of the Troutbeck valley to Windermere. The ground on top is grass.

In winter

Nothing here is high or exposed, but the short final climb at the southern tip is steep, with rocky outcrops, walls and fences to cross, and wet grass and rock there turn slippery in frost. The long walk up the valley from Troutbeck is the bulk of the day.

Ridge Walk
Great Views
Quiet & Remote
Dog Friendly

Sources: Wikipedia: Troutbeck Tongue, go4awalk: Walks up Troutbeck Tongue. Updated 23 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 422 063
Latitude: 54.44957° N
Longitude: 2.89239° W
Area: Far Eastern Fells

Walking up Troutbeck Tongue

The nearest car park on foot is Sixth Form Car Park, 7.2 km (4.5 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Sixth Form Car Park

Distance: 7.2 km; 4.5 miles, one way
Ascent: 332 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 1 h 56 min; Allow 1 to 3 hours

Height in metres along the path from Sixth Form 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.

Troutbeck Tongue questions

Is Troutbeck Tongue a Wainwright?

Yes. Troutbeck Tongue is one of the 214 fells Alfred Wainwright described in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, in Book 2, The Far Eastern Fells.

How high is Troutbeck Tongue?

Troutbeck Tongue is 364 metres (1,194 feet) high. That makes it the 207th highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the lowest in the Far Eastern Fells.

Where do you park for Troutbeck Tongue?

The nearest car park on foot is Sixth Form Car Park, 7.2 km (4.5 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Troutbeck Tongue?

From Sixth Form Car Park it is 7.2 km with 332 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 1 h 56 min, so allow 1 to 3 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Troutbeck Tongue?

Upfell rates Troutbeck Tongue as moderate. Check the mountain weather forecast before you set out and carry a map and compass.

Which Wainwrights are near Troutbeck Tongue?

The closest are Yoke (706 m, 1.6 km E), Ill Bell (757 m, 2.0 km NE) and Wansfell (Baystones) (487 m, 2.3 km SW).

What is the grid reference for the summit of Troutbeck Tongue?

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 422 063, or 54.44957, -2.89239 in latitude and longitude.