Great Mell Fell

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Great Mell Fell
Great Mell Fell from Gowbarrow Fell
Elevation	537 m (1762 ft))
Location	Cumbria, England
Range	Lake District
Prominence	198 m
Topo map	OS Explorer OL5, Landranger 90
OS grid reference	NN396253
Listing	Marilyn (hill), Wainwright
Translation	Large rounded bare hill (Scots Gaelic, English)
Pronunciation	[grɛɪ mɛl fɛl]

Great Mell Fell is a hill in the Eastern part of the English Lake District. It is a north-eastern outlier of the Helvellyn range, but, like its twin Little Mell Fell, is isolated from its fellows, standing in the middle of a flat plain. Presenting a symetrical domed profile from almost all aspects, Great Mell Fell conspires to appear almost artificial, akin to jelly turned out of a giant mould.

1 Topography and Land Use
2 Summit and View
3 Ascents
4 References

[edit] Topography and Land Use

The hill lies on a low ridge, barely perceptible in places, which provides the connection between the Northern and Eastern Fells. This watershed runs from Bowscale Fell, across Eycott Hill to Great Mell Fell, and then up the north eastern ridge of Great Dodd. It forms the boundary between the Derwent/Cocker system in the west and the wide catchment of the Eden Valley.

To the north west of the fell is an old rifle range, now disused but still with some fittings in evidence. This was once a reason to declare Great Mell Fell strictly off limits, but this is not the case nowadays and the fell is free land. The National Trust currently owns the fell above the fenceline.

Great Mell Fell is extensively planted with Scots pines on the east, and occasional trees dot the fell all around the base. Near the summit are a few stunted larches, blown almost horizontal by the prevailing winds. ^[1]

[edit] Summit and View

The summit bears a small cairn built on top of a mound. The Ordnance Survey maps identify this as a tumulus and it is believed to have been a Bronze Age burial mound. ^[1]

Due to its isolation from higher ground, Great Mell Fell is a Marilyn, and an excellent viewpoint.^[2]

[edit] Ascents

The fell can be climbed most easily via a path from Brownrigg Farm to the south east, and additional access can be gained through the old rifle range.^[1] There is also a footpath which circles the base of the fell, passing largely through woods and providing an enjoyable low level walk.