Middle Fell: Height, Walks and Views above Wast Water

Middle Fell stands above the north-western shore of Wast Water, a rocky Wasdale fell with a particularly rewarding outlook across the lake. At 582 metres, it is considerably lower than the great summits around the valley head, but its position gives it a character of its own. Walkers come for the Screes, the Scafell skyline and the quieter ground around Greendale Tarn.

A Wasdale fell above Wast Water

Middle Fell rises from the Greendale side of Wasdale, between the open slopes of Seatallan and the valley containing Wast Water. Its southern slopes are a mixture of grass, bracken and exposed rock, while higher ground has the broken, craggy character familiar from many of the western fells. Greendale Tarn occupies a hollow on its western side, between Middle Fell and Seatallan.

The summit reaches 582 metres, or 1,909 feet, at grid reference NY150072. Height alone does not explain its appeal: Middle Fell stands close enough to Wast Water for the lake and its opposite shore to dominate the outlook. It is a useful reminder that some of Wasdale’s most satisfying viewpoints are on the lower fells rather than the highest ground.

Views of the Screes and Scafell

The view across Wast Water is Middle Fell’s strongest claim to attention. Opposite lie the Screes beneath Illgill Head and Whin Rigg, their steep slopes falling towards the lake. Seen from this side of the dale, the relationship between the long ridge, the scree slopes and the water is particularly clear. These are the same slopes that give Wast Water much of its distinctive appearance from the valley road.

Looking towards the head of Wasdale brings the higher skyline into view, including Scafell and Scafell Pike. Yewbarrow is another prominent neighbour. The contrast is part of the attraction: close, rocky fell ground in the foreground, the lake below and much higher summits beyond. Cloud can obscure those summits, so clear conditions make a considerable difference to the wider view.

Middle Fell among the Western Fells

Alfred Wainwright included Middle Fell in The Western Fells, the seventh book of his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. It ranks 136th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Nearby Wainwrights include Seatallan, Buckbarrow, Haycock and Yewbarrow, placing it within a varied group of grassy uplands, craggy tops and higher ridges.

Greendale is a familiar starting area for walks on Middle Fell, and the fell is often combined with Seatallan and Buckbarrow. Those combinations cover substantially more ground than an ascent of Middle Fell alone. Even on a shorter outing, this remains mountain terrain: rocky paths, wet ground and poor visibility deserve proper footwear, navigation equipment and a weather check. Dedicated route guides are the right place to compare distances, ascent and difficulty.

Where Middle Fell stands

Summit at grid reference NY150072 · open full map

Walking Middle Fell

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

• Lake District - Greendale and Middle Fell walk (nationaltrust.org.uk)
• Middle Fell walk - Wasdale walks - Lake District walks (andrewswalks.co.uk)
• Middle Fell, Seatallan, Buckbarrow - a Greendale round (walklakes.co.uk)

Weather on Middle Fell

Conditions estimated at summit height (582 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Middle Fell on your wall

A painting of Middle Fell can bring back the particular shape of a Wasdale day: rough fell ground, Wast Water below and the Screes opposite. As a print or canvas at home, it offers a familiar point of return to a well-loved dale.

Own “Middle Fell Ridge and Sunlit Boulders” — our painting of Middle Fell → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Western Fells

• Seatallan 693 m
• Buckbarrow 423 m
• Haycock 797 m
• Yewbarrow 629 m

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