North Pennines
Murton Fell (B&L GR)
673M
2209FT
About Murton Fell (B&L GR)
Rising steeply above the Eden Valley, this expansive gritstone plateau offers a wilder, quieter alternative to the nearby Lakeland peaks. While the summit is broad and often boggy, the dramatic western escarpment provides a grandstand view over the distinctive conical shape of Murton Pike toward the distant Lake District fells.
Key Statistics
Rank
41st Highest in Region
Parent Range
North Pennines
Prominence
?
5.6m
Nearest Town
Westmorland and Furness
Geology
You’re hiking over layers of limestone, sandstone, and hardened mud. These stacked rocks form the solid, layered foundation of Murton Fell beneath your feet.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY758240
Latitude
54.6106°N
Longitude
2.3762°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Old English 'mōr' (moor or fen) and 'tūn' (farmstead or settlement), identifying it as the fell belonging to the village of Murton located at its foot.
- •Much of the fell is situated within the Warcop Training Area. Access is strictly controlled by the Ministry of Defence, and walkers must consult the firing programme as the land is frequently used for live ammunition exercises.
- •The summit offers an excellent vantage point for studying the Pennine Fault; from here, you can look directly across the Vale of Eden to the eastern giants of the Lake District, specifically naming Blencathra and the Helvellyn range.
- •While the main fell is a high, rounded plateau, most of the character is found on its shoulder at Murton Pike. This smaller, sharper summit is a prominent landmark for miles around Appleby-in-Westmorland.
- •If you find yourself here on a day when the red flags are flying, you will quickly learn that the British Army has a much firmer 'no entry' policy than even the most territorial of local farmers.