Glaramara: Height, Walks and Views above Borrowdale

Glaramara rises between the Seathwaite valley and Langstrath, a broad, rocky fell with a distinctive double summit and a long ridge reaching south towards Allen Crags. At 782.7 metres, it stands high enough for wide views across the central Lakeland fells, yet its appeal is equally in the foreground: rough crags, small tarns and the changing shape of Borrowdale below.

A rocky ridge above Borrowdale

Glaramara is not a simple cone or an isolated summit. It forms the northern part of a long upland ridge between two valleys feeding into Borrowdale: the Seathwaite valley to the west and Langstrath to the east. Its upper ground is broken by rocky knolls, hollows and tarns, giving the fell a more complicated shape than its outline from the valley might suggest.

The summit reaches 782.7 metres, or 2,568 feet, at grid reference NY245104. Its paired rocky tops are a characteristic feature, while Combe Head gives the northern end of the fell a particularly craggy presence above Combe Gill. This is terrain to explore with attention rather than hurry across: the succession of rises and dips means the immediate landscape keeps changing as you move through it.

Glaramara in the Southern Fells

Alfred Wainwright included Glaramara in Book Four of his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, The Southern Fells. It ranks 45th in height among the 214 Wainwrights. Although approached by many walkers from Borrowdale, its ridge connects it firmly with the high ground around the head of Langstrath and the central Southern Fells.

Allen Crags lies to the south along the ridge, with Esk Hause beyond. Rosthwaite Fell occupies the lower ground to the north, while Seathwaite Fell stands across the valley to the west. Rossett Pike is another neighbouring Wainwright, towards the head of Langstrath. These relationships make Glaramara a useful fell for understanding how Borrowdale, Langstrath and the higher mountain passes fit together.

The ridge towards Allen Crags, passing the High House Tarns, is a well-established walking connection. Its undulating ground deserves more time than a glance at the map might suggest, and navigation needs care when cloud obscures the surrounding fells.

Views across the central fells

Glaramara's position is a large part of its attraction. In clear weather, the outlook takes in the Scafell massif, Great Gable and the fells around the head of Langdale, including Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes. Nearer at hand, the steep sides of Langstrath and the enclosing ridges of Borrowdale give depth to the view.

Walks commonly begin in Borrowdale, with Seatoller, Seathwaite and Stonethwaite all associated with approaches to the fell. Whether visited on its own or combined with Allen Crags, Glaramara offers a substantial mountain day, with rough summit terrain rather than an easy grassy finish.

Where Glaramara stands

Summit at grid reference NY245104 · open full map

The real Glaramara

Walking Glaramara

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

• Glaramara (Adventure walk) (ramblers.org.uk)
• Glaramara Summit – Hikes & How to Get There (komoot.com)
• Seatoller and Glaramara Circular, Cumbria, England (alltrails.com)

Weather on Glaramara

Conditions estimated at summit height (783 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Glaramara on your wall

A painting of Glaramara can recall more than the summit: the broken ridge, the depth of Langstrath, or cloud lifting above Borrowdale. As a print or canvas at home, that familiar outline keeps a connection with days spent among these fells.

Own “Snowy Glaramara Over Winding River” — our painting of Glaramara → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Southern Fells

• Allen Crags 785 m
• Rosthwaite Fell 551 m
• Seathwaite Fell 601 m
• Rossett Pike 651 m

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