Loweswater via the north end up Mellbreak: route map, distance and time
511 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY148186
Mellbreak is a steep, isolated fell between Crummock Water and the Mosedale valley, climbed from Loweswater up a scree and heather nose.
You follow a lane to the foot of the fell and climb a steep scree and heather path up the north end, then walk the ridge to the summit.
Loweswater via the north end at a glance
| Distance | 4.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 465 m |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Loweswater village (near the Kirkstile Inn) |
| Start grid reference | NY 131 201 |
| Summit grid reference | NY148186 |
Loweswater via the north end 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 Loweswater via the north end takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 2h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 3h 0m |
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 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 14:41 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:04. Start by 14:39 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Mellbreak summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Mellbreak right now. The main Mellbreak page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Mellbreak forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Mellbreak
Mellbreak is a steep, isolated fell between Crummock Water and the Mosedale valley, climbed from Loweswater up a scree and heather nose. More about Mellbreak, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Hen Comb (506 m), 1.7 km west
- Rannerdale Knotts (355 m), 1.9 km east
- Starling Dodd (633 m), 2.9 km south
Challenges that include Mellbreak
More walks from Loweswater village
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Loweswater round up Blake Fell
- Loweswater via High Nook Tarn up Gavel Fell
- Loweswater via Floutern Tarn up Great Borne
- Loweswater via Mosedale up Hen Comb
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 131 201, the summit at NY148186), 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.
Loweswater via the north end: questions and answers
How far is Loweswater via the north end?
Loweswater via the north end is 4.1 km one way to the summit of Mellbreak, with 465 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.2 km.
How long does Loweswater via the north end take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of Mellbreak and 2h 25m 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 3h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Loweswater via the north end?
Loweswater via the north end starts from Loweswater village (near the Kirkstile Inn). The grid reference is NY 131 201.
Is Loweswater via the north end suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first.
What time should I start Loweswater via the north end today?
By 14:41 at the latest. Sunset on Mellbreak today is 18:06, Loweswater via the north end takes about 2h 25m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Loweswater via the north end?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).