Matterdale Common

About Matterdale Common

Rising above the quiet valley of Matterdale, this broad expanse of undulating grass and heather offers a peaceful alternative to the crowded Helvellyn range. Though often overlooked in favour of the neighbouring Dodds, it provides an exceptional vantage point for studying the southern flanks of Blencathra across the Glenderamackin valley.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Matterdale likely stems from the Old Norse 'madr-dalr', meaning the valley of the mowers, or potentially refers to the wild madder plant that once grew in the area.
• •Included in Tim Synge’s 1995 list of Lakeland fells, this summit serves as a significant moorland shoulder bridging the high Eastern Fells with the lower ground near Ullswater.
• •The northern edge of the common is traced by the Old Coach Road, a historic high-level thoroughfare that once served as the primary route for horse-drawn carriages between Keswick and Penrith.
• •From the summit, the view north-west is dominated by the sharp, ridged profile of Blencathra, while to the south-east, the waters of Ullswater can be glimpsed beyond the slopes of Gowbarrow Fell.
• •The terrain is notoriously boggy in the troughs between the rises; a successful crossing often depends more on your ability to hop between tufts of Cotton Grass than on your actual navigation skills.