Ullscarf: 723m Height, Walks and Central Fells Views

Ullscarf is a broad-backed fell in the heart of the Central Fells, rising to 723m between Borrowdale and Thirlmere. Its summit offers little of the drama of a sharp pike or rocky ridge; the appeal lies in open moorland, long views and the sense of being well above the surrounding dales. For walkers who enjoy the quieter character of Lakeland’s upland interior, that is reason enough to visit.

A broad summit between Borrowdale and Thirlmere

Ullscarf belongs to the high ground separating the Borrowdale side of Lakeland from the Thirlmere valley. Its upper slopes are rounded and expansive, with grass, heather and wet ground rather than a sharply defined summit ridge. The summit stands at 723m (2,372ft), at grid reference NY291121. A cairn marks the highest ground, but the surrounding plateau is broad enough that the top does not announce itself from every direction.

This shape is central to Ullscarf’s character. The upper fell feels open and spacious, while its flanks contain rougher ground and crags. Blea Tarn lies below its western side, in the uplands above Watendlath. It is a different tarn from the better-known Blea Tarn between Great Langdale and Little Langdale.

Ullscarf in the Central Fells

Ullscarf appears in The Central Fells, Book Three of Alfred Wainwright’s A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. It ranks 75th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its neighbouring Wainwrights include Calf Crag, Eagle Crag, Sergeant’s Crag and High Raise, the latter being the High Raise above Langdale rather than its namesake in the Far Eastern Fells.

These neighbours place Ullscarf within a substantial area of connected upland. High Raise lies to the south, while the central watershed continues north towards High Seat. Greenup Edge is an important feature of the ground to the south, linking the country above Borrowdale with the head of the Greenburn valley. Ullscarf makes sense as part of this wider landscape, rather than as an isolated summit standing apart from the surrounding fells.

Views and walking character

In clear weather, the outlook takes in the Helvellyn range to the east and the high western skyline around the Scafells and Great Gable. The breadth of the summit means that distant ridges are more prominent than the valley floors immediately below. This is a fell for reading the wider shape of Lakeland: successive ridgelines, broad watersheds and the contrast between rounded central uplands and rockier heights beyond.

Walks commonly approach from Watendlath, Borrowdale or Wythburn, with different distances and amounts of ascent. The moorland can be wet underfoot, and its gentle contours require careful navigation in cloud. Choose a dedicated route guide for the approach that suits your experience and the conditions.

Where Ullscarf stands

Summit at grid reference NY291121 · open full map

The real Ullscarf

Walking Ullscarf

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

• Ullscarf – wainwrightwalking.co.uk (wainwrightwalking.co.uk)
• Ullscarf Summit – Hikes & How to Get There (komoot.com)
• Eagle Crag, Sergeant's Crag, High Raise & Ullscarf (masarnenramblers.com)

Weather on Ullscarf

Conditions estimated at summit height (723 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Ullscarf on your wall

A painting of Ullscarf can bring home the quieter side of the Lakes: broad fell shoulders, changing cloud and distant ridges. As a print or canvas, that familiar outline offers a lasting connection to days spent walking the Central Fells, beyond the busier summits.

Own “Sunlit Frozen Pool on Ullscarf” — our painting of Ullscarf → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Central Fells

• Calf Crag 537 m
• Eagle Crag 523 m
• Sergeant's Crag 571 m
• High Raise (Langdale) 762 m

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