Lake District
Great Intake - Low Fell
408M
1339FT
About Great Intake - Low Fell
Rising steeply above Chapel Stile, this rugged outcrop forms the eastern shoulder of Lingmoor Fell. It offers a quieter, rockier alternative to the valley floor, providing an exceptional vantage point for the Langdale Pikes across Great Langdale and the dramatic, industrial scarring of the Elterwater slate quarries.
Key Statistics
Rank
590th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Fells
Prominence
?
47m
Nearest Town
Little Langdale
Geology
You are walking on layers of hardened volcanic ash and shattered rock. These were formed by explosive eruptions that left behind deposits of volcanic sand and stone.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY302021
Latitude
54.4102°N
Longitude
3.0757°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'Intake' is derived from the Old Norse 'inn-taka', a common Cumbrian term for a piece of land 'taken in' or enclosed from the open fell for farming. 'Great Intake' refers specifically to the large walled enclosure on the hill's southern slopes.
- •Bill Birkett included this summit in his 541 Lakeland fells, noting its position as a fine 'sentinel' guarding the entrance to Great Langdale.
- •The summit offers a unique perspective on the Langdale Pikes; unlike the view from the valley floor, the elevation here allows you to see the true depth of the combe between Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark.
- •Directly below the summit lies the historic Burlington Slate Quarry at Elterwater, where Westmorland Green slate has been extracted for over 300 years.
- •Navigating the maze of ancient intake walls and gorse on the lower slopes can be more demanding than the actual climb, proving that a 'Great Intake' is often easier to look at than it is to cross.