Fellbarrow - Mosser Fell

Fellbarrow is a quiet, grassy outpost at the far north-west of the National Park. It’s a straightforward walk from Thackthwaite, offering a relaxing alternative to the rugged high fells. Despite its modest height, the summit views across the Lorton Valley toward the massive Grasmoor group are genuinely impressive.

• •The summit is marked by a trig pillar, a reminder of its strategic importance as a primary station during the Ordnance Survey’s mid-20th-century retriangulation of the UK.
• •The fell's name likely derives from the Old Norse 'fjall' and Old English 'bearu', meaning a 'fell with a grove', though it has been centuries since any significant woodland stood on these slopes.
• •Geologically, it belongs to the Skiddaw Group, meaning the terrain is characterized by smooth, rounded slopes rather than the jagged volcanic rock found in the central Lake District.
• •Because it stands at the northwestern fringe of the district, the fell offers a unique 'big sky' perspective, with views reaching across the Solway Firth to the Scottish Southern Uplands.
• •While the ridge walk is remarkably gentle, the ground near Mosser Fell is notoriously spongy; be prepared to practice your high-jump over patches of moss that are frequently deeper than they look.