Glaramara

About Glaramara

Dominating the skyline at the head of Borrowdale, this complex Wainwright is defined by its rugged, multi-summited ridge and craggy character. The climb from Rosthwaite reveals an intricate landscape of rocky outcrops and hidden tarns, eventually opening up a formidable, close-quarter view across Grains Gill to the Great End and Scafell massifs.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is of Old Norse origin, likely meaning 'hill with the shieling of the mountain glade,' though 'shining mountain' is a popular alternative. It is one of the few Lake District fells with a name that sounds almost musical, leading Alfred Wainwright to remark it was a name 'to be shouted.'
• •The summit is a rocky plateau featuring two distinct outcrops; the northernmost one is the true high point. Navigating this area in thick mist is a classic Lakeland challenge due to the complex, undulating terrain and a multitude of confusing rocky humps.
• •From the summit, the view south-west is among the most dramatic in the fells. You look directly into the massive Great End crags and the north face of the Scafell range, separated only by the deep trench of Grains Gill.
• •The fell forms the centerpiece of a long, six-kilometre ridge stretching from Borrowdale to Esk Hause. This route allows walkers to stay high above the valley floor while visiting subsidiary tops like Allen Crags and High House Fell on a single traverse.
• •Alfred Wainwright was particularly fond of the ascent via Thornythwaite Fell, describing Glaramara as a 'substantial' mountain with a 'tough and sturdy character' that demands physical effort and respect from those who climb it.
• •The fell is famous for its 'false summits.' Every time you believe you have reached the top, another slightly higher rocky outcrop tends to emerge from the horizon, making it a reliable test of a hiker's patience.