Route: Middle Fell
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 16th July 2022
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 4.2 miles
Ascent: 1,700 feet
Weather: Dull at first, skies gradually clearing
Middle Fell stands by the western shore of Wastwater and enjoys some of the best views of the Scafells. We parked on the roadside verge just beyond the small hamlet of Greendale in Wasdale and followed the grassy path leading gently uphill. After a short distance we passed a fork in the path to the right, which would be our return route at the end of the walk
We continued to follow the path, which stays close the the bank of Greendale Gill. The gill tumbles down the fellside from Greendale Tarn in a succession of small cascades. The path is sometimes rocky, and sometimes disappears, but the way is never in doubt as long as the gill is kept on the left
Eventually we reached Greendale Tarn and followed a faint and rough path around its right hand side. Beyond the tarn we continued climbing, and after a short distance turned sharp right to climb up the ridge to the summit of Middle Fell. It was easy going all the way. The weather had been dull and uninspiring up to this point, but by a stroke of good fortune the clouds gradually cleared and although it was rather hazy the views of the Scafells were superb
We followed the easy path down the ridge, enjoying good views of the Wastwater Screes along the way. We made our way across to Greendale Gill, where we picked up our original ascent path and retraced our steps back to the start
It was a superb short walk, one that seems much longer than it is, and which is ideal for anyone who visits Wasdale with insufficient time or energy to tackle one of the nearby giants
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
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Middle Fell on the right (summit unseen from here) as we start the climb from Greendale
Buckbarrow and Greendale Gill on our left - the gill will accompany us for much of the walk, and is a useful navigation aid when paths peter out later on
Looking back to Greendale, with Whin Rigg in the background
We follow the path beside Greendale Gill
One of many small waterfalls in the gill
We reach a flatter section, with Middle Fell up on the right
The crags on the flank of the fell are avoided by continuing ahead
We follow a rough path around the edge of Greendale Tarn
Blackbeck Knotts below Red Pike
Haycock, Scoat Fell and Red Pike - perhaps the most remote lakeland fells of all. It takes a long walk to reach them whatever the approach
A change of direction as we reach the foot of the ridge leading up to Middle Pike
The Irish Sea in the distance
Looking back
The summit of Middle Fell comes into view
Summit cairn on Middle Fell, looking towards the Irish Sea....
...and now looking towards the head of Wastwater and the Scafells on the right, with their heads peeping up above the clouds
Yewbarrow, and Great Gable beyond
Wasdale Head at the head of Wastwater
Zooming in on Scafell and Scafell Pike...
Yewbarrow
The Wastwater Screes plunging into Wastwater
After savouring the wonderful views it was time to start the descent in the direction of the Irish Sea
Buckbarrow and Nether Wasdale
The foot of Wastwater below Whin Rigg
Whin Rigg, Illgill Head and the Wastwater Screes....
We arrive back at Greendale Gill and from here retrace our steps
Looking across to Scafell Pike and Scafell....
The Wastwater Screes again as the gradient eases
We arrive back in Greendale, here looking up to Buckbarrow
A final look back to Middle Fell, summit unseen from here
