Bleaberry Fell: 590m Height, Walks and Lakeland Views

Bleaberry Fell rises to 590 metres on the broad upland east of Derwentwater, with Walla Crag to the north-west and High Seat to the south. Its rocky summit gives an open outlook towards the northern fells and across the Derwentwater landscape. Walkers often combine it with Walla Crag, but Bleaberry has a different character: higher, more spacious and surrounded by rough moorland where wet ground can demand patience.

A rocky summit above Derwentwater

Bleaberry Fell belongs to the upland separating the Derwentwater and Borrowdale side of the Lakes from the Thirlmere valley. Its summit stands at 590 metres, or 1,936 feet, at grid reference NY285195. Rather than a sharply defined peak, it is a broad fell with rocky ground around the top and extensive grass and heather slopes. That contrast between a firm summit and the wetter moorland around it is one of its distinguishing features.

The outlook is a strong reason to visit. Skiddaw and Blencathra rise to the north, while the Helvellyn range lies across the valley to the east. To the west, Derwentwater and the fells beyond give the view its familiar Lakeland depth. Compared with the lower viewpoint of Walla Crag, Bleaberry offers a more elevated and open perspective, with the surrounding uplands taking a larger part in the scene.

Bleaberry Fell among the Central Fells

Alfred Wainwright included Bleaberry Fell in The Central Fells, the third volume of his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. It ranks 132nd in height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its position near the northern end of the Central Fells makes it a useful place to understand this region: broad uplands run southwards, while Keswick and the northern fells lie beyond its northern slopes.

Walla Crag and High Seat are its closest familiar companions in walking plans. High Tove continues the sequence farther south, while Raven Crag stands towards Thirlmere. These are not all alike in character. Walla Crag has its abrupt wooded edge above Derwentwater; Bleaberry and High Seat belong more clearly to the open moorland behind it. Linking them reveals how quickly the landscape changes away from the lakeshore.

Walks, wet ground and the wider landscape

Common approaches are associated with Keswick, Walla Crag and the Great Wood side of Derwentwater. Bleaberry is also combined with High Seat in longer outings across the central upland. The ground between the higher points can be persistently boggy, so distance and ascent alone do not tell the whole story of a walk here. Waterproof footwear and realistic expectations of the terrain matter.

In mist, the broad slopes offer fewer obvious landmarks than a narrow ridge. A map, compass and the ability to use them remain important. Bleaberry's appeal lies less in a celebrated scramble or dramatic summit profile than in its position: close to Keswick, yet part of a much wider stretch of open fell.

Where Bleaberry Fell stands

Summit at grid reference NY285195 · open full map

The real Bleaberry Fell

Walking Bleaberry Fell

We make artwork, not route guides — these are the guides we'd point a friend to:

• Bleaberry Fell Route One (wainwrightroutes.co.uk)
• A walk up Walla Crag and Bleaberry Fell. (jimearl6.com)
• Descending from Bleaberry Fell to Walla Crag - Photo (walkingbritain.co.uk)

Weather on Bleaberry Fell

Conditions estimated at summit height (590 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Bleaberry Fell on your wall

A painting of Bleaberry Fell can recall more than the summit: the heather, the open ground and the familiar shapes beyond Derwentwater. As a print or canvas at home, that view offers a quiet connection to a walk and a landscape you know.

Own “Bleaberry Fell Snowy Crags” — our painting of Bleaberry Fell → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Central Fells

• High Seat 609 m
• Walla Crag 379 m
• High Tove 515 m
• Raven Crag 461 m

Part of our guide to all 214 Wainwrights — see the full index.