hikes.guideLake District

13.22 km · ~707 m ascent · ~3.5–5 h · loop · 8 summits

Home / Routes / North of Skiddaw
Brae Fell — a neat conical cairn of stones on a grassy top, with mist closing in over the fields far below
Hard steepnessLoop

North of Skiddaw

13.22 km
Distance
~3.5–5 h
Typical time
~707 m
Ascent
8
Summits

Photo: © Lee McCoy

Download GPX →Walked by Lee, July 2026

Key facts

Distance 13.22 km
Ascent ~707 m
Descent ~707 m
Time ~3.5–5 h
Type Loop
Eight tops in the quiet grassy country north of Skiddaw — Longlands Fell, Brae Fell, the two Sca Fells, Meal Fell and Great Cockup among them. Gentle underfoot and rarely busy, but nearly a fifth of the line is featureless ground where a compass earns its keep.
A planned line is a suggestion, not a guarantee — conditions change. Navigate independently and carry a map & compass. How to use this guide.

Difficulty profile

LengthModerate13.22 km round.
SteepnessHardSteepest sustained pull about 32% around the 6.2 km mark.
TerrainEasyGraded on the ground.
NavigationEasyGraded on the ground.
ExposureEasyGraded on the ground.

Five independent axes, not one score — all field-checked on the ground here, with nothing left as a desk estimate.

Conditions on this route

We score every Lakeland Wainwright each morning on cloud, wind, rain and underfoot, and this route crosses 5 of them. The worst summit governs the verdict — a route is only as kind as its roughest top.

Modelled guidance — not a substitute for the mountain forecast or your own judgement. See how every fell ranks today →

Daylight & turnaround

Daylight is short from October to February — check today’s sunrise and sunset before you set off, and carry a head-torch and spare batteries. On short days, decide your turn-back time before you start.

Why this matters: 78% of Mountain Rescue call-outs come after midday — the day runs out on the way home, not on the way up. See also walking in bad weather and today’s conditions.

OpenTopoMap
Elevation profile, shaded by steepness
Elevation profile Rises from about 195 m to 633 m over 13.2 km, with the summits marked in order. The area beneath is shaded by sustained steepness over a 250 m window, in the same four bands as the route’s steepness rating: Easy under 15%, Moderate 15 to 25%, Hard 25 to 35%, Severe above 35%. 633 m 195 m 0 km 13.2 km 12345678

1 Longlands Fell2 Lowthwaite Fell3 Brae Fell4 Little Sca Fell5 Great Sca Fell6 Meal Fell7 Great Cockup8 Orthwaite Bank

Easy 77%Moderate 19%Hard 5%Severe

~707 m
Total ascent
633 m
High point
220 m
Start height

Free mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap (switch layers top-right).

This walk covers about 13.22 km with around 707 m of ascent, taking in 8 summits. The map above shows the line; the elevation profile and stage notes are below.

Access & barriers

Can a dog, a buggy or dodgy knees manage this route? A quick read from the gates and stiles mapped along the way.

Dog
Gates only
Buggy
Not buggy-able
Knees
Tough descent
  • Dog: Gates and kissing gates only — a dog can do the whole route.
  • Buggy: Stiles or rough going on the route.
  • Knees: A long, steep ~32% drop around the 6.0 km mark — hard on the knees.

On the line: 3 gates

These are mapped barriers, from OpenStreetMap — coverage in the Lakes is good but not guaranteed complete. Spotted a stile or gate we’ve missed? Tell us and we’ll fix it. Barrier data as of 2026-07-19. Access data © OpenStreetMap contributors (via Overpass).

Pacing

SummitCumulativeAscentTime (fast–steady)
1Longlands Fell2.2 km253 m0:51–1:08
2Lowthwaite Fell2.9 km308 m1:05–1:27
3Brae Fell4.5 km423 m1:36–2:08
4Little Sca Fell5.5 km483 m1:54–2:32
5Great Sca Fell5.9 km511 m2:02–2:42
6Meal Fell6.8 km536 m2:15–2:59
7Great Cockup8.0 km631 m2:40–3:32
8Orthwaite Bank9.9 km637 m3:02–4:02
Finish13.2 km707 m3:49–5:05

Naismith-based estimate — a fast/steady range. Your pace will vary. These use Naismith’s textbook constants (5 km/h, 600 m of ascent an hour). Measured against a pace fitted to 41 recorded Lakeland walks they run about 8% slow, and we have left them that way deliberately: a slow estimate strands nobody.

The walk, stage by stage

  1. 1

    Start → Longlands Fell (2.2 km, 253 m)

    Climb of about 253 m over 2.2 km (around 12% average).

    From the small parking area near Longlands, pick up the wide track of the Cumbria Way. Before long, branch off to the right and tackle the grassy, direct ascent straight up the nose to the summit of Longlands Fell

    Waypoints

    Longlands hamlet, Cumbria Way track, Longlands Fell summit

    Decision point

    The Cumbria Way provides an unmistakable starting highway. Once off the track, the grassy path heading up Longlands Fell is fairly clear in good weather

    Easy to get wrong

    At 12%, this is the steepest sustained climb of the day, but the terrain is forgiving grass rather than loose rock

    If you need to get off

    Turn around and descend the grassy slopes directly back to the Cumbria Way track

    Smooth green fells rising above rough grass and heather, with sunlit pasture and hedged fields running up the valley side beyond
    © Lee McCoy
  2. 2

    Longlands Fell → Lowthwaite Fell (0.7 km, 55 m)

    Undulating section of about 0.7 km.

    Head south across the shallow, grassy saddle to the next small rise, Lowthwaite Fell

    Waypoints

    Longlands Fell summit, Lowthwaite Fell summit

    Decision point

    Maintain a southern bearing. The route is highly visible on a clear day

    Easy to get wrong

    Very straightforward walking, though the dip between the two fells can hold water after heavy rain

    If you need to get off

    Retreat to Longlands Fell and descend to the start

  3. 3

    Lowthwaite Fell → Brae Fell (1.6 km, 114 m)

    Climb of about 114 m over 1.6 km (around 7% average).

    Drop slightly from Lowthwaite Fell and begin the long, sweeping curve east and then north over the broad, grassy slopes, ascending gently to the large summit cairn on Brae Fell

    Waypoints

    Lowthwaite Fell, Brae Fell summit cairn

    Decision point

    The large summit cairn of Brae Fell is one of the few prominent man-made markers on this section of the moorland

    Easy to get wrong

    The walking remains very easy on the legs, but the sweeping grass plateau lacks obvious features. In thick clag, it is remarkably easy to lose your bearings here—this is where your navigation skills will be tested

    If you need to get off

    Drop north down the slopes of Brae Fell to intercept the Cumbria Way in the valley below

    A low bank of rain cloud pressing down over rounded moorland tops, with the flat farmland of the northern plain pale and sunlit beneath it
    © Lee McCoy
  4. 4

    Brae Fell → Little Sca Fell (1.0 km, 60 m)

    Climb of about 60 m over 1.0 km (around 6% average).

    Leave Brae Fell, heading south-east along the broad ridge. The gentle grassy climb takes you up to the sunken wind shelter and cairn of Little Sca Fell

    Waypoints

    Brae Fell, Little Sca Fell summit (wind shelter)

    Decision point

    The wind shelter at the summit provides an excellent visual target

    Easy to get wrong

    Highly exposed to the wind, but mechanically very easy walking

    If you need to get off

    Retrace your steps back to Brae Fell

    A large stone cairn on a bare grassy summit in thick mist, with the ground falling away into cloud on all sides
    © Lee McCoy
  5. 5

    Little Sca Fell → Great Sca Fell (0.4 km, 29 m)

    Undulating section of about 0.4 km.

    A very short, virtually flat transit across the grass connecting the minor top of Little Sca Fell to the true summit of Great Sca Fell

    Waypoints

    Little Sca Fell, Great Sca Fell summit

    Decision point

    Keep following the main trod south-east; the paths cross near the summit cairn

    Easy to get wrong

    Easy terrain, but the actual summit of Great Sca Fell is somewhat underwhelming and can blend into the surrounding plateau

    If you need to get off

    Push forward or retreat to Little Sca Fell; there is no immediate valley descent here that doesn't involve steep, pathless grass

  6. 6

    Great Sca Fell → Meal Fell (0.9 km, 25 m)

    Descent of about 106 m over 0.9 km.

    From Great Sca Fell, turn sharply west-south-west and begin the grassy descent towards the col, before a short rise to the rugged little summit of Meal Fell

    Waypoints

    Great Sca Fell, Meal Fell summit (wind shelter)

    Decision point

    Look for the small, circular stone wind shelter perched on an outcrop at Meal Fell's summit

    Easy to get wrong

    The descent is on grass, which can be slippery when wet. Meal Fell is noticeably rockier than the previous Uldale fells, adding a nice bit of texture to the route

    If you need to get off

    From the col before Meal Fell, you can drop north into the Charleton Gill valley to find paths safely back to Longlands

    A steep grassy fellside scored by a deep gill, with sheep grazing the moor grass on the near side and cloud shadow crossing the slope
    © Lee McCoy
  7. 7

    Meal Fell → Great Cockup (1.3 km, 95 m)

    Climb of about 95 m over 1.3 km (around 7% average).

    Drop off Meal Fell into the steep, striking little valley of Trusmadoor. Cross the pass and tackle the loose, somewhat steep path up the eastern flank of Great Cockup before the gradient eases near the summit

    Waypoints

    Meal Fell, Trusmadoor pass, Great Cockup summit

    Decision point

    Trusmadoor is a massive, unmistakable geographical cleft. Once through it, the path up Great Cockup is completely obvious

    Easy to get wrong

    The drop into and climb out of Trusmadoor is the only section of the day that feels like a real slog. The initial climb out of the pass onto Great Cockup is loose and rocky before returning to grass

    If you need to get off

    If the weather turns, turn right (north) at Trusmadoor and follow the valley floor (Burntod Gill/Charleton Gill) directly back to the Longlands area

    A gap in a drystone wall looking across a broad col of pale moor grass to a scree-scarred green fell rising beyond
    © Lee McCoy
  8. 8

    Great Cockup → Orthwaite Bank (1.8 km, 6 m)

    Descent of about 177 m over 1.8 km.

    From the summit of Great Cockup, follow the long, gentle ridge line west-south-west as it descends steadily over the grassy slopes towards Orthwaite Bank

    Waypoints

    Great Cockup, Orthwaite Bank

    Decision point

    The ridge line naturally funnels you downward toward the farmlands

    Easy to get wrong

    A long, steady, and very pleasant grassy descent with no technical difficulties whatsoever

    If you need to get off

    Continue the descent; you are well on your way off the high fell

    A line of wind-shaped pines on a green knoll above a wooded lake shore, with hedged farmland running away to the coastal plain
    © Lee McCoy

  9. Orthwaite Bank → Finish (3.4 km, 70 m)

    Climb of about 70 m over 3.4 km (around 2% average).

    Skirt the lower slopes above Orthwaite, picking up the farm tracks and quiet country lanes. Follow these low-level paths northward, contouring the base of the fells until you return to the parking area at Longlands

    Waypoints

    Orthwaite Bank, Uldale fell base tracks, Longlands parking area

    Decision point

    The lower tracks and roads are well-defined and clearly mapped

    Easy to get wrong

    A flat, easy walk-out on farm tracks and lanes. It feels like a breeze after the fells, perfectly wrapping up a route that is delightfully easy on the legs

    If you need to get off

    You are on the valley floor network and entirely off the high fells

    Deep bracken on the fell edge above a patchwork of walled pasture and woodland, with a lake and distant fells on the horizon
    © Lee McCoy

Summits bagged (8)

  1. 1Longlands Fell483 mNorthern · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge
  2. 2Lowthwaite Fell509 mNorthern · Birkett, Synge
  3. 3Brae Fell585 mNorthern · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge
  4. 4Little Sca Fell633 mNorthern · Birkett, Synge
  5. 5Great Sca Fell651 mNorthern · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge
  6. 6Meal Fell549 mNorthern · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge
  7. 7Great Cockup526 mNorthern · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge
  8. 8Orthwaite Bank348 mNorthern · Birkett

In the order you walk them — the same numbers the elevation profile, the stage notes and the pacing table use.

Getting there & parking

Longlands Fell car park — 0.0 km from the start (straight line)
Walking base for Longlands Fell, Lowthwaite Fell, Brae Fell and Little Sca Fell — the 'North of Skiddaw' route starts 1 m away. Unpaved surface (OSM-tagged). Fee not verified — check signage on arrival.
Directions Something changed here?
Roadside parking for Longlands Fell (free) — 0.1 km from the start (straight line)
1.1 km from Longlands Fell. Added from the 5 Aug 2026 OSM candidate review.
Directions Something changed here?
Little Cockup car park — 1.2 km from the start (straight line)
1.8 km from Little Cockup.
Directions Something changed here?
Green How (layby) — 1.6 km from the start (straight line)
Nearest fells: Green How - Aughertree Fell (0.5 km). Free (OSM-tagged). Unpaved surface (OSM-tagged).
Directions Something changed here?

Positions are approximate. Lakeland car parks fill before 9am on fine weekends.

Vehicles are left entirely at their owner’s risk. We list places people park; we cannot vouch for any of them. Judge it on the day: take valuables with you, leave nothing on show, and if a spot feels wrong when you get there, park somewhere else.

Every option near this start, on the parking map →

💧 No mapped drinking water or shelter on this route — that doesn’t mean there is none, and never drink untreated from a beck. (Facilities data © OpenStreetMap contributors.)

Buses

The nearest bus stop we hold is the X4 at Bassenthwaite, at Village turn, 6.4 km of walking from this start — not realistically reachable without a car.

Rural routes change seasonally — confirm on stagecoachbus.com or Traveline before travelling.

If the parking is full

There is no real plan B here. Every place we know beside this route serves the same walks and sits close together, so if one is full the others usually are too. Worth starting early, or having a different walk in mind before you set off.

  • Roadside parking for Longlands Fell (free)
  • Little Cockup car park
  • Longlands Fell car park

Worked out from the parking we hold within walking reach of this route and the other walks each place serves — two places that serve the same walks fill for the same reasons. We are not saying whether anywhere has spaces today, and we never will: this is what exists, not what is free.

When the sun reaches the tops

Not sunrise — the moment the sun clears the skyline from that summit, which on a fell with high ground to its east can be a good deal later. The two equinoxes are shown because they fall in the walking season, and late December too wherever a top keeps you waiting then; the clock gap between the equinoxes is British Summer Time, not the hill. Rounded to the nearest quarter hour and meant as a general idea, not a schedule.

  • Longlands Fell — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:45, about half an hour later. In late September, about 07:30. It waits longest in late December — about an hour after sunrise.
  • Brae Fell — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:30, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.
  • Great Sca Fell — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.
  • Meal Fell — in late March the sun reaches it around 07:00, about half an hour later. In late September, about 07:45. It waits longest in late December — about an hour after sunrise.
  • Great Cockup — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:45, about half an hour later. In late September, about 07:30. It waits longest in late March — about half an hour after sunrise. In late December, not until about 09:00.

Modelled from a 30 m elevation model against each summit’s own skyline — the same figures the fell pages carry, never observed. Cloud is not in it.

Safety & conditions

Check live conditions in the “From the fells” panel, on MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast before you set off.

Make it easier or harder

Short version: turn back at about 6.4 km (drop to Start) — roughly half the distance.

Download

Download GPX

GPX track for your GPS or phone.

Places to stay near this start

Woodlands Country House & Cottage guest house

about 4.5 km from the start, in a straight line

The furthest of the four at 4.45 km and the only one with a restaurant you can eat in whether or not you are staying: "Our restaurant, lounge, bar and gardens are open to non-residents too". Given the route file records nothing mapped at the start or on the round, that is a real option for the evening after — and, unlike Overwater, it does not shut two days a week. It also offers two different shapes of stay from one address: licensed B&B rooms in the house, or the converted stable block as a self-catering cottage, which is the one to ask about if you are bringing the dog. Be clear about what the evidence will and will not carry. The dog line is not a policy statement: it is a caption inside the site's own embedded Instagram feed — "Happy International Cat Day! Your furry friends are most welcome in Woodlands Cottage" — and it names the Cottage, not the House. Treat it as a lead to confirm, not a booking guarantee, and remember the route file's dog verdict is green (three gates, no stiles), so this is worth a phone call rather than a shrug. On children the site publishes a "Family Friendly" page in its own navigation, but our cache holds only the homepage and the contact page, so the policy itself is unread and this record states nothing about it. Pushchairs are out either way: the route's buggy verdict is red.

A Victorian rectory turned licensed B&B, with the old stable block converted into the self-catering cottage; it looks straight out at Skiddaw and Binsey.

  • Evening meal “Our restaurant, lounge, bar and gardens are open to non-residents too; please see our Dine page for more details.”

What each place says about itself, quoted from their own site. We have not stayed at any of them, and there are no prices, no booking and no affiliate links. Distances are straight lines from the route start, never walking times. Properties found via OpenStreetMap.

Related routes

Appears in these collections
Dog-friendly walks

Similar routes nearby

All routes →
A quiet Birkett
12.99 km · ~587 m
Cockup at the White Hause and other Birketts
23.91 km · ~1160 m