Mellbreak: 511.1m, Walks and Views over Crummock Water

Mellbreak stands apart from the higher fells around Crummock Water, its long ridge forming the lake’s western backdrop. At 511.1 metres, it is modest in height but far from mild in appearance: the northern end presents a steep, rocky face above the Loweswater valley. Walkers value its two distinct summits, open lake views and the sense of being on a fell with an identity entirely its own.

A long ridge beside Crummock Water

Mellbreak’s character comes from its shape and position rather than its altitude. It stretches roughly north to south along the western side of Crummock Water, with Mosedale separating it from Hen Comb to the west. Seen from the Loweswater end, its steep northern face gives it a much more rugged profile than its height might suggest. From across the lake, the full length of the ridge becomes clear.

There are two main summits, divided by a broad depression. The southern summit is the higher, reaching 511.1 metres, or 1,677 feet, at grid reference NY148186. The northern summit is slightly lower but has the more conspicuous rocky approach. That distinction matters when reading about Mellbreak: its most recognisable end is not its highest point, and a visit to one summit alone does not take in the whole ridge.

Views and walking character

Crummock Water is central to the experience of Mellbreak. The fell stands close enough to the shore for the water to dominate views from its eastern side, while Grasmoor rises across the lake. Towards the head of the valley, the Buttermere fells provide a higher, more broken skyline. The contrast between the lake, the valley floor and the surrounding ridges gives these views their particular strength.

The walk is not simply a climb to a single viewpoint. Moving between the summits changes the relationship with the surrounding valleys, opening different outlooks towards Loweswater, Mosedale and the Buttermere country. Mellbreak’s comparatively low height should not be confused with uniformly easy ground: its northern end is steep and rocky, and conditions underfoot vary. A dedicated route guide is useful for choosing an approach suited to your experience, rather than relying on the summit height as a measure of difficulty.

Mellbreak among the Western Fells

Mellbreak belongs to The Western Fells, Book Seven of Alfred Wainwright’s guides, and ranks 168th in height among the 214 Wainwrights. Nearby Wainwrights include Hen Comb, Starling Dodd, Red Pike above Buttermere and Low Fell. They place it within a varied corner of Lakeland, between the lower ground around Loweswater and the higher western ridges. Mellbreak remains distinctive within that company: a separate, two-summited ridge whose close relationship with Crummock Water is as important to its appeal as the summit itself.

Where Mellbreak stands

Summit at grid reference NY148186 · open full map

The real Mellbreak

Walking Mellbreak

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

• Lake District Walk: Mellbreak and Scale Force (walklakes.co.uk)
• Mellbreak walk - Loweswater walks - Lake District walks (andrewswalks.co.uk)
• A walk up Mellbreak (sallyscottages.co.uk)

Weather on Mellbreak

Conditions estimated at summit height (511 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Mellbreak on your wall

Mellbreak’s long ridge and the open water of Crummock give a painting a clear sense of place. A print or canvas of this view can recall a day on the fell, or the familiar pleasure of looking across the lake from the shore.

Own “Vibrant Mellbreak Ridge and Lake” — our painting of Mellbreak → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Western Fells

• Hen Comb 506 m
• Starling Dodd 633 m
• Red Pike (Buttermere) 755 m
• Low Fell 422 m

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