Cocklaw Fell

About Cocklaw Fell

Overlooking the quiet upper reaches of Longsleddale, this grassy Birkett provides a secluded alternative to the popular Windermere fells. While the terrain is often pathless and soft underfoot, the summit offers a clear, direct perspective of the steep western flanks of Grey Crag and the deep trench of the valley below.

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Did You Know?

• •The name likely derives from the Old English 'cock-hlāw', meaning 'hill of the black grouse', combined with the Old Norse 'fjall'. It points to a time when these moorland birds were a more prolific sight on the high eastern fells.
• •Hillwalkers typically approach the summit from the hamlet of Sadgill at the head of Longsleddale, often pairing the ascent with neighbouring Great Howe or as a detour from the Gatescarth Pass bridleway.
• •The summit provides an excellent, close-quarters view of the dramatic, craggy western face of Grey Crag, which dominates the skyline directly across the deep trough of the Longsleddale valley.
• •Though overlooked by many, it is listed as a Birkett and a Synge peak; the latter refers to Tim Synge’s 1995 book, The Lakeland Fells, which aims to identify every distinct summit in the district.
• •Due to a lack of a distinct path and a penchant for retaining water, the fell is a masterclass in Lakeland navigation—which usually involves trying to guess which patch of bright green moss is solid enough to support a human.