Matterdale End lane up Great Mell Fell: route map, distance and time
537 m · Lake District E · OS grid NY396253
Great Mell Fell is a 537m rounded outlier between Ullswater and the Penrith to Keswick road, a Wainwright and Marilyn with wind-bent trees on its slopes.
A track leads through the woods onto the open fell, then a grassy path climbs to the summit.
Matterdale End lane at a glance
| Distance | 3.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 288 m |
| Time up | 1h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Easy |
| Start | Lane between Matterdale End and Troutbeck |
| Start grid reference | NY 395 234 |
| Summit grid reference | NY396253 |
Matterdale End lane map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Matterdale End lane takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 20m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:06, sunset 16:44. Start by 13:49 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:08, sunset 16:42. Start by 13:47 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Great Mell Fell summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Wednesday 28 October
Slight rain, up to 10°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 35 mph gusting 44 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:06, sunset 16:44.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Thursday 29 October
Light drizzle, up to 10°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 4°C, summit wind 20 mph gusting 25 mph, 75% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:08, sunset 16:42.
Best day of the next seven for Matterdale End lane: Saturday 31 October, with summit gusts around 9 mph and a 6% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Great Mell Fell forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- A warm layer, hat and gloves: it feels like 1°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 44 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Great Mell Fell
Great Mell Fell is a 537m rounded outlier between Ullswater and the Penrith to Keswick road, a Wainwright and Marilyn with wind-bent trees on its slopes. More about Great Mell Fell, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Little Mell Fell (505 m), 3 km south-east
Challenges that include Great Mell Fell
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 395 234, the summit at NY396253), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Matterdale End lane: questions and answers
How far is Matterdale End lane?
Matterdale End lane is 3.5 km one way to the summit of Great Mell Fell, with 288 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.0 km.
How long does Matterdale End lane take?
About 1h 10m to the summit of Great Mell Fell and 1h 55m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 20m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Matterdale End lane?
Matterdale End lane starts from Lane between Matterdale End and Troutbeck. The grid reference is NY 395 234.
Is Matterdale End lane suitable for beginners?
Yes. Peakify grades it Easy: a fit beginner can walk it on a clear day. Take a map, warm layers and waterproofs all the same.
What time should I start Matterdale End lane today?
By 13:49 at the latest. Sunset on Great Mell Fell today is 16:44, Matterdale End lane takes about 1h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Matterdale End lane?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).