Lonscale Fell

Forming the rugged eastern prow of the Skiddaw massif, this fell is defined by the sharp contrast between its smooth western slopes and the dramatic Lonscale Crags. Overlooking the deep Glenderaterra valley, it provides a spectacular, rocky edge to these otherwise rounded fells, easily accessed from the main Skiddaw path.

• •The name is rooted in Old Norse, combining 'skali' (a temporary hut or shieling) with 'lon' (a pool or slow-moving stream), suggesting the lower slopes were used as summer pastures by Viking-settler farmers.
• •Alfred Wainwright was particularly fond of the eastern face, describing the view from the edge of Lonscale Crags as sensational. He highly recommended the terrace path that contours around the fell’s waist, which today forms a celebrated section of the Cumbria Way.
• •The steep eastern slopes above the Glenderaterra Beck were once a site of industry; remnants of the Lonscale and Threlkeld mines remain below the crags, where miners once extracted lead, copper, and barytes.
• •From the summit, the view across the Glenderaterra valley provides one of the most impressive profiles of Blencathra’s southern ridges. To the south, the Helvellyn range is visible in its entirety, while the northern horizon is dominated by the heather-clad dome of Great Calva.
• •For many walkers, Lonscale Fell is less a primary destination and more a momentary distraction on the motorway to Skiddaw. It is entirely possible to visit the summit, admire the view, and be halfway to Little Man before you have even realised you have ticked off a Wainwright.