Lake District
Great Sca Fell
651M
2136FT
About Great Sca Fell
Tucked away in the quiet "Back o' Skiddaw" region, this broad, grassy dome is the highest point of the Uldale Fells. It offers an easy-going alternative to the central Lakes’ rugged crags, with smooth, peat-topped slopes leading to a modest cairn and expansive views across the Solway Firth.
Key Statistics
Rank
210th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Northern Fells
Prominence
?
13m
Nearest Town
Ireby and Uldale
Geology
Great Sca Fell is built from layers of hardened mud and sand. These ancient rocks, such as sandstone and siltstone, form the sturdy foundation beneath your feet.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY291339
Latitude
54.6951°N
Longitude
3.1010°W
Did You Know?
- •The name derives from the Old Norse 'skalli', meaning a bald head or a shieling. In the context of the Northern Fells, it refers to the smooth, treeless profile of the ridge, a sharp contrast to the jagged character of the higher 'Sca' fells in the central Lakes.
- •Alfred Wainwright held a particular affection for this area, describing the Uldale Fells as a place for the 'connoisseur of the quiet places.' He noted that while Great Sca Fell is the highest of its group, it possesses a summit so modest it is easily overlooked.
- •From the summit cairn, the view north is remarkably clear, stretching across the Solway Plain to the distinctive hump of Criffel and the Southern Uplands of Scotland. To the south, the massive northern screes of Skiddaw and Great Calva dominate the skyline.
- •The fell is frequently bagged as part of a circular walk taking in its neighbours, Meal Fell and Longlands Fell, though the ground between Great Sca Fell and the nearby summit of Knott can remain notoriously boggy even after a dry spell.
- •Being the lowest of the three 'Sca fells' in the Lake District, it is the only one where a walker is significantly more likely to be troubled by a damp sock than by a sheer drop or a technical scramble.