Lake District
Great How - Eskdale Fell
522M
1713FT
About Great How - Eskdale Fell
Rising above the desolate plateau of Eskdale Fell, this rugged Birkett offers a wilderness experience away from the crowds of the Scafells. Surrounded by the boggy moorland near Burnmoor Tarn, its rocky summit provides an exceptional, close-up perspective of the dramatic Scafell massif and the scree slopes of Wasdale.
Key Statistics
Rank
377th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Fells
Prominence
?
53m
Nearest Town
Eskdale
Geology
You’re hiking over ancient lava flows and layers of volcanic ash, alongside hard rocks that cooled from molten material deep underground.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY197039
Latitude
54.4250°N
Longitude
3.2385°W
Did You Know?
- •The name derives from the Old Norse word 'haugr', meaning a hill or mound. Given its position amongst the undulating moorland of Eskdale Fell, the 'Great' prefix distinguishes this prominent rocky outcrop from the numerous smaller mounds found in the vicinity.
- •Though it stands at a modest 522 metres, its central position provides a rare vantage point looking directly across the depths of Burnmoor Tarn towards the towering cliffs of Scafell and the jagged silhouette of Slight Side.
- •The hill lies near the ancient 'Corpse Road' connecting Wasdale Head to the church at Boot; this arduous track was once the only route for Wasdale residents to transport their dead to consecrated ground.
- •Bill Birkett highlights the fell as an excellent 'island' of rock amidst a sea of peat, noting that walkers who leave the main paths here are rewarded with a solitude rarely found on its higher neighbours.
- •Reaching the summit from Boot requires a stoic attitude toward saturated peat; by the time you reach solid ground, you will likely have developed a very personal understanding of why the surrounding area remains so sparsely populated.