The Nab

The Nab is a distinctive, flat-topped outlier of the Far Eastern Fells, famously tricky to reach without getting wet feet. While its peat-hags are notorious, the fell offers a quiet, front-row seat to the Martindale red deer herd and impressive views down into the secluded Bannerdale.

• •Historically, The Nab was one of the most difficult Wainwrights to access; it was part of a private deer forest where walkers were strictly discouraged from wandering to avoid disturbing the herd.
• •The fell is home to the Martindale red deer, which is the oldest native herd in England and has occupied these valleys since the Middle Ages.
• •The name 'Nab' is derived from the Old Norse word 'nabbi', which translates to a projecting peak or a promontory, accurately describing its position overlooking the valley.
• •The summit is a desolate plateau of deep peat hags and groughs, making it one of the most difficult fells in the district to navigate in low visibility despite its modest height.
• •Hiking The Nab is less of a climb and more of a tactical exercise in bog-hopping; unless there has been a significant drought, expect the black sludge to try and claim at least one of your boots.