Lonscale Fell: 715m Height, Walks and Summit Views

Lonscale Fell stands at the south-eastern edge of the Skiddaw massif, its rounded grassy summit giving little warning of the steep, craggy face above Glenderaterra. At 715m, it is a substantial fell, though often overshadowed by its higher neighbours. Its appeal lies in that contrast: open upland walking above, a sharply cut valley below, and views across to Blencathra and south towards Derwentwater.

A rounded summit with a craggy eastern face

Lonscale Fell has two distinctly different characters. Seen as part of the Skiddaw skyline, it belongs to a broad sweep of grassy slopes and rounded tops. From the Glenderaterra valley, its eastern face looks much more abrupt, with crags dropping towards the beck below. That contrast is the fell’s defining feature, and helps explain why it can appear modest from one viewpoint and imposing from another.

The main summit reaches 715m (2,346ft), at grid reference NY285271. The fell also has a lower eastern top above the crags; this should not be confused with its highest point. Like much of the Skiddaw massif, Lonscale is formed from rocks of the Skiddaw Group, ancient sedimentary rocks that underpin much of the Northern Fells.

Lonscale Fell in the Northern Fells

Lonscale appears in Alfred Wainwright’s Book Five, The Northern Fells, and ranks 79th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. It occupies the south-eastern side of the Skiddaw group, with Skiddaw Little Man and Skiddaw rising to the west and north-west. Latrigg lies lower to the south, while Great Calva stands farther north, beyond the country around Skiddaw House.

This position makes Lonscale a useful fell for understanding the shape of the region. To the south are Keswick and the more familiar lake-and-fell scenery around Derwentwater. To the north, the landscape opens into the quieter uplands behind Skiddaw. Across Glenderaterra to the east, the slopes of Blencathra form the other side of a clear division between the Northern Fells’ two principal mountain groups.

Views and walking character

The outlook towards Blencathra is a particular reason to linger, with the intervening valley giving depth to the view. Southwards, Derwentwater and the fells beyond Keswick provide a different setting from the open moorland to the north. Higher ground in the Skiddaw group remains a close presence rather than a distant backdrop.

Lonscale can be walked as an objective in its own right or included in a longer outing among the Skiddaw fells. The established track along its eastern flank, above Glenderaterra, is another notable feature of the area, offering a lower-level perspective on the valley. Summit walks and valley walks reveal different sides of the fell; dedicated route guides are the best place to compare their distance, ascent and terrain.

Where Lonscale Fell stands

Summit at grid reference NY285271 · open full map

The real Lonscale Fell

Walking Lonscale Fell

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

• Lake District Walk: Lonscale Fell via Burnt Horse Ridge (walklakes.co.uk)
• Lonscale Fell (andrewswalks.co.uk)
• Lonscale Fell, Cumbria, England - 51 Reviews, Map (alltrails.com)

Weather on Lonscale Fell

Conditions estimated at summit height (715 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Lonscale Fell on your wall

A painting of Lonscale Fell can bring back the shape of a familiar day: grass underfoot, Blencathra across the valley, the craggy edge catching the light. As a print or canvas at home, it offers a lasting connection to this distinctive corner of the Northern Fells.

Own “Sunlit Slopes of Lonscale Fell” — our painting of Lonscale Fell → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Northern Fells

• Latrigg 369 m
• Skiddaw Little Man 865 m
• Great Calva 691 m
• Skiddaw 930 m

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