Hen Comb: 506.2m Height, Walks and Western Fells Views

Hen Comb is a grassy fell south of Loweswater, with a long northern ridge and a rounded summit standing 506.2 metres above sea level. Beside the more craggy outline of Mellbreak, its appeal is quieter: open slopes, a clear sense of the surrounding dales and plenty of western Lakeland character. It rewards walkers who enjoy the shape and setting of a fell as much as its height.

A grassy ridge above Loweswater

Hen Comb has a straightforward shape: an elongated ridge running roughly north to south, rising towards its highest ground at the southern end. Grass rather than exposed rock defines much of its surface. Seen alongside Mellbreak, the contrast is useful for understanding this corner of Lakeland: two neighbouring fells with distinctly different outlines, one rounded and open, the other marked by steeper, craggier slopes.

The fell stands between the valleys of Whiteoak Beck and Mosedale, with Mosedale separating it from Mellbreak to the east. Loweswater lies to the north, while higher ground gathers to the south around Great Borne and Starling Dodd. That position gives Hen Comb its character. It belongs to the pastoral edge of the western Lakes, but its upper slopes look towards a much larger expanse of upland country.

Hen Comb among the Western Fells

Hen Comb appears in The Western Fells, Book Seven of Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. Its recorded height is 506.2 metres, or 1,661 feet, and it ranks 172nd by height among the 214 Wainwrights. The summit grid reference is NY132181. These figures place it among the lower Wainwrights, though its open moorland setting is quite different from a short stroll on enclosed valley paths.

Its neighbouring Wainwrights include Gavel Fell, Great Borne, Starling Dodd and Mellbreak. Together they help explain the local landscape: rounded grassy tops, broad connecting ground and the more pronounced ridge of Mellbreak above Crummock Water. Hen Comb is not defined by a famous scramble or an elaborate summit formation. Its interest lies in the ridge itself and the relationships between the surrounding fells and valleys.

Walks, ground conditions and views

Loweswater is a familiar starting area for walks on Hen Comb, and its northern ridge is a characteristic feature of those outings. The walking is predominantly on grass and moorland rather than sustained rocky terrain. Wet ground is an important consideration, particularly around the lower approaches and connecting ground to neighbouring fells. Modest height does not necessarily mean dry feet or an effortless circuit.

From the upper fell, the surrounding western tops give the outlook its structure. Mellbreak is a close neighbour, while Great Borne and Starling Dodd draw attention towards the higher ground to the south. Clear weather helps reveal those relationships; in cloud, the rounded slopes demand proper navigation. For route choices, timings and access details, consult a dedicated walking guide and an up-to-date map.

Where Hen Comb stands

Summit at grid reference NY132181 · open full map

The real Hen Comb

Walking Hen Comb

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

• Hen Comb Summit loop from Loweswater | hike (komoot.com)
• Hen Comb – wainwrightwalking.co.uk (wainwrightwalking.co.uk)
• Hen Comb - Lake District Walk - Peak Walker (peakwalker.net)

Weather on Hen Comb

Conditions estimated at summit height (506 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Hen Comb on your wall

A painting of Hen Comb can bring a familiar western Lakeland outline into the room: the long grassy ridge, the rounded summit and the changing light across neighbouring fells. As a print or canvas, it offers a quiet reminder of days spent above Loweswater.

Own “Vibrant Light on Hen Comb” — our painting of Hen Comb → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Western Fells

• Great Borne 616 m
• Gavel Fell 524 m
• Mellbreak 511 m
• Starling Dodd 633 m

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