Lake District
Wallowbarrow Heald
371M
1217FT
About Wallowbarrow Heald
Tucked away in the serene Duddon Valley, this rugged outcrop offers a quiet alternative to the high fells. Characterised by rocky knolls and steep, bracken-clad slopes, it provides an intimate perspective of Harter Fell across the river. It remains a rewarding objective for those exploring Timothy Synge’s list of lesser-known Lakeland heights.
Key Statistics
Rank
651st Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Fells
Prominence
?
5m
Nearest Town
Ulpha
Geology
You are standing on ancient layers of volcanic ash and small stones, which form the rugged bedrock of the Wallowbarrow and Duddon Hall formations.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SD214972
Latitude
54.3649°N
Longitude
3.2099°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'Heald' is a Cumbrian dialect term derived from the Old English 'helde', meaning a slope or a leaning hill.
- •Its inclusion in Timothy Synge’s guide marks it as a summit with at least 15 metres of prominence, a list often favoured by walkers looking to escape the busier Wainwright routes.
- •The summit provides a superb vantage point over Wallowbarrow Gorge, where the River Duddon is squeezed through a narrow, rocky channel far below.
- •To the west, the fell drops away into Wallowbarrow Crag, a prestigious rhyolite rock-climbing site known for classic routes like 'Thomas' and 'Diglyph'.
- •It is a peak that proves height isn't everything; the terrain is sufficiently knobbly and complex that you can feel successfully lost only ten minutes from the valley floor.