Lake District
Great Yarlside
591M
1938FT
About Great Yarlside
Rising above the remote upper reaches of Longsleddale, this quiet, grassy dome offers a sense of solitude rarely found in the central Lakes. It is a place of expansive moorland character, providing an excellent vantage point for surveying the lonely Wet Sleddale reservoir and the neighbouring giants of the High Street range.
Key Statistics
Rank
278th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Far Eastern Fells
Prominence
?
6
Nearest Town
Shap Rural
Geology
Great Yarlside is built from layers of ancient volcanic ash and hardened lava. These rocks are mixed with silt and mud, creating the rugged foundation beneath your boots.
Classifications
Find It
Latitude
54.4615°N
Longitude
2.7341°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is likely a remnant of Old Norse influence, where 'jarl' (earl) combined with 'side' suggests a mountain slope once associated with a Viking-age leader or landowner.
- •Alfred Wainwright included the fell in his 'Outlying Fells' guide, recommending a circular approach from the A6 that traverses the wide, peat-covered plateau to include the prominent cairn of Little Yarlside.
- •The summit offers a clear industrial contrast to the surrounding wilderness, with views extending east toward the massive tiered scar of the Shap Granite Quarry and the distant North Pennines.
- •Looking northwest, the view is dominated by the steep, craggy eastern flanks of Branstree and Tarn Crag, which form the high wall separating this area from the Haweswater valley.
- •The walk between the 'Great' and 'Little' summits is a masterclass in Cumbrian hydrology, where the ground transitions seamlessly from damp grass to unfathomable bog within a single stride.