Souther Fell: 522m Height, Walks and Northern Views

Souther Fell is the long, grassy fell east of Blencathra, rising above Mungrisdale on the quieter edge of the Northern Fells. At 522 metres, it can seem modest beside its more dramatic neighbours, but that position is its strength: the higher fells become the view rather than the climb. Walkers come for the open ridge, the outlook towards the Pennines and, sometimes, the story of its phantom army.

A grassy ridge beside Blencathra

Souther Fell has an elongated, broadly north–south ridge, with rounded slopes and a summit that feels quite different from the rocky skyline of nearby Blencathra. It stands south of Mungrisdale, near the eastern boundary of the main Northern Fells. The River Glenderamackin curves around its western and northern sides, helping to separate this lower ridge from the higher ground beyond.

The summit reaches 522 metres, or 1,713 feet, at grid reference NY354291. Its appeal lies less in a distinctive summit feature than in the changing relationship between ridge, valley and neighbouring fells. Blencathra commands the western outlook, while Bannerdale Crags and Bowscale Fell form part of the surrounding upland landscape. Looking east, the ground opens towards the Eden valley and the Pennines. That contrast between close fell slopes and distant horizons gives Souther Fell a character of its own.

Souther Fell in the Northern Fells

Souther Fell appears in The Northern Fells, the fifth volume of Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. It ranks 163rd by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its neighbouring Wainwrights include Bannerdale Crags, Bowscale Fell, Carrock Fell and Blencathra, placing it within a varied group of grassy ridges, crags and higher summits.

For walkers, Mungrisdale and the Scales side of the fell are familiar starting areas. Mousethwaite Col, at its southern end, is an important feature in the local network of paths and separates Souther Fell from Blencathra’s Scales Fell ridge. Souther Fell can be considered as an outing in its own right rather than simply an addition to a larger round. Its comparatively modest height should not be confused with shelter: the open ridge remains exposed to wind and poor visibility.

The phantom army of 1745

Souther Fell is particularly associated with a story of a phantom army. The best-known account describes figures resembling soldiers and horses moving along the fell on the evening of 23 June 1745. The tale has become one of Lakeland’s enduring pieces of folklore, giving this otherwise unassuming grassy ridge a place in many accounts of the region’s supernatural traditions.

It is important to distinguish the recorded story from a verified event: there is no established evidence that a supernatural army appeared. The association is nevertheless a genuine part of Souther Fell’s cultural history, and a memorable counterpoint to its quiet, open landscape.

Where Souther Fell stands

Summit at grid reference NY354291 · open full map

The real Souther Fell

Walking Souther Fell

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

• Guide links to be curated.

Weather on Souther Fell

Conditions estimated at summit height (522 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Souther Fell on your wall

A painting of Souther Fell can hold onto what makes this quieter ridge memorable: the long grassy skyline, changing light and the presence of Blencathra beyond. As a print or canvas at home, it offers a familiar connection to days among the Northern Fells.

Own “Souther Fell Deep Valley Cleft” — our painting of Souther Fell → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Northern Fells

• Bannerdale Crags 684 m
• Bowscale Fell 702 m
• Carrock Fell 662 m
• Blencathra 868 m

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