Lake District
The Tongue
553M
1814FT
About The Tongue
Rising as a sharp, grassy ridge between the River Glenderamackin and Bannerdale Beck, this Northern Fell provides a direct and characterful line toward Bowscale Fell. Tucked away near Mungrisdale, it offers a quieter alternative to the popular Blencathra paths, rewarding walkers with a true sense of the area's sprawling, open geography.
Key Statistics
Rank
320th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Northern Fells
Prominence
?
12m
Nearest Town
Scales
Geology
The ground here is part of the Kirk Stile Formation. It is made of mudstone and siltstone, which formed from layers of fine, compressed mud and silt.
Find It
Latitude
54.6624°N
Longitude
3.0129°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'Tongue' is a common Cumbrian topographical term for a tapering ridge of land situated between two converging streams or valleys. Here, it describes the high ground squeezed between the River Glenderamackin and Bannerdale Beck.
- •Bill Birkett, who classified this as one of his Lake District peaks, describes it as a 'steep and interesting ridge' that serves as a fine introductory climb to the high plateau of the Northern Fells.
- •The summit offers a spectacular, close-up perspective of the dark, eastern face of Bannerdale Crags, a view often missed by those taking the standard paths up neighboring Blencathra.
- •Hikers often use this ridge as an alternative ascent to reach Bowscale Fell, making it part of a classic Mungrisdale circuit that usually includes a detour to the high-hanging Bowscale Tarn.
- •Given the steepness of the initial ascent from the valley floor, any walker expecting a gentle stroll will quickly find that this particular 'Tongue' is more than capable of giving their calves a sharp talking-to.