Great Cockup: Height (526m), Walks and Northern Fell Views

Great Cockup is one of the quieter, grass-covered fells north of Skiddaw, where rounded summits replace the rockier outlines familiar from central Lakeland. At 526m, it offers an accessible introduction to the Uldale Fells, with open country to the west and higher ground gathering to the east. Its modest height can make it easy to overlook, but the contrast between broad slopes and the sharply defined Trusmadoor gives it real character.

A rounded fell above Trusmadoor

Great Cockup stands on the western side of the Uldale Fells, north-west of Skiddaw. Its outline is broad and grassy rather than craggy, and its summit reaches 526m (1,726ft). The summit grid reference is NY273333. This is open fell country: the shape of the slopes and the spaces between neighbouring tops matter more to its character than any single rock feature.

The clearest exception is Trusmadoor, the narrow pass separating Great Cockup from Meal Fell to the east. Its pronounced notch is a distinctive feature of this otherwise rounded landscape. Seen alongside the broad back of Great Cockup, it gives the surrounding ground a stronger sense of relief than the fell’s height alone might suggest. The pass is also a familiar name in walking accounts of the Uldale Fells.

Views from the western edge

Great Cockup’s position near the edge of the northern uplands gives its outlook two different characters. Westwards, the fells give way to lower Cumbrian country; in clear conditions, the wider prospect extends towards the Solway Firth and the Scottish hills beyond. To the south, Skiddaw provides a much higher and more substantial presence.

Looking into the Uldale Fells, the interest is closer at hand. Meal Fell and the higher ground around Great Sca Fell show the rolling, largely grass-covered character of this part of Lakeland. Rather than a panorama dominated by lakes and sharp ridges, this is a view of folds, saddles and open slopes. Clear weather helps with the distant outlook, but the relationship between the neighbouring fells is central to the view.

Great Cockup in the Wainwrights

Great Cockup appears in Alfred Wainwright’s The Northern Fells, Book Five of his seven-volume pictorial guide. It ranks 158th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Nearby Wainwrights include Meal Fell, Longlands Fell, Great Sca Fell and, towards Skiddaw, Bakestall, placing it within a varied group of possible fell-walking objectives.

Walks commonly combine Great Cockup with other Uldale summits rather than treating it as an isolated ascent. That suits its character: much of the pleasure lies in seeing how one rounded top connects with the next. Its relatively modest elevation should not be confused with shelter, however. These open slopes remain exposed to wind and poor visibility, so a dedicated route guide, suitable equipment and a current forecast are worthwhile preparations.

Where Great Cockup stands

Summit at grid reference NY273333 · open full map

The real Great Cockup

Walking Great Cockup

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

• Summit of Great Cockup loop from Ireby and Uldale | hike (komoot.com)
• Bakestall, Great Sca Fell, Brae Fell, and Binsey Circular (alltrails.com)
• Great Cockup, Meal Fell, Great Sca Fell, Knott & Great Calva (thewalkingdiary.co.uk)

Weather on Great Cockup

Conditions estimated at summit height (526 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Great Cockup on your wall

A painting of Great Cockup can bring the quieter side of Lakeland into a room: broad grassy slopes, the notch of Trusmadoor and the changing colours of open fell country. As a print or canvas, it recalls a landscape whose appeal lies in space rather than spectacle.

Own “Vibrant Sunlight on Great Cockup” — our painting of Great Cockup → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Northern Fells

• Meal Fell 549 m
• Longlands Fell 483 m
• Bakestall 674 m
• Great Sca Fell 651 m

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