Gavel Fell

Gavel Fell is a quiet, grassy summit in the Loweswater group, often overlooked for its more dramatic neighbours. It offers a straightforward climb from Lamplugh or Loweswater, rewarding hikers with sweeping views over the Cumbrian coastal plain and the Solway Firth on clear days.

• •The name 'Gavel' likely derives from the Old Norse 'gafl', meaning a gable-end or a steep hill-side, which describes the mountain's profile when viewed from certain angles.
• •Unlike the rugged volcanic rocks of the central Lake District, Gavel Fell is composed of Skiddaw Slate, resulting in smoother, grassier slopes and a softer topographical profile.
• •The summit sits on the historic boundary between the parishes of Lamplugh and Loweswater, marked by a long wire fence that provides a useful navigational handrail in thick mist.
• •The fell overlooks the High Nook valley, where hikers can still trace the old peat-cutters' tracks that were once the primary industrial arteries of this quiet corner of the fells.
• •The col between Gavel Fell and Blake Fell is notorious for its 'spongy' character; it is a place where your walking boots and the local peat bog will likely become very closely acquainted.