Middle Fell and Seatallan

This was arguably the one walk I did want to do whilst staying on this side of the Lake District. Yes there are higher walks and better paths, but few better views of the Scafells and surrounding mountains than from WastWater and also from Middle Fell. I’d seen plenty of pictures of the panorama from Middle Fell but nothing prepared me for the mouth open, jaw hitting the floor, moment when I got there. It’s a place I would recommend all walkers try to get to and goes in as one of my favourite walks of the year.

Start – Greendale

Route – Middle Fell – Seatallan – Cat Bields – Joss Naylor’s Cairn – Buckbarrow – Greendale

Distance – 5.5 miles Start time – 10.20am Time taken – 4 3/4hrs Highest Point – Seatallan 692m

Weather – Sunny, some cloud, very windy

© Crown copyright 2014 Ordnance Survey FL 2014 SF

Britain’s favourite view, along Wastwater to Yewbarrow left, Great Gable in the centre and Lingmell right. Scafell Pike has its head in the cloud further right

The Wastwater Screes

Middle Fell which is my first target

Buckbarrow which is my last

One last look before I get on with the walk

I’d stopped to take a few photos by the side of Wastwater before driving around to Greendale for the walk. Sunshine as I look back to The Screes on the climb to Middle Fell

Greendale Gill

All the way out to the Western coast, with Buckbarrow on the right

Great view of the Scafells as the clouds lift whilst climbing Middle Fell

Buckbarrow on the right and the West Coast beyond

Looks like I’ve timed it right! Look at the blue sky!

Middle Fell summit and my jaw on the floor!!

The view to Red Pike and Scoat Fell from Middle Fell

Seatallan (left) and Haycock from Middle Fell

Zooming in on Scafell Pike, Mickledore is the dip to the right and Broad Stand the vertical rock face on the right leading up to Scafell

Great Gable, Yewbarrow in the foreground

Distant Sellafield

What a view!

As I finally head down from Middle Fell I look across to Low Tarn and Red Pike

Greendale Tarn which feeds Greendale Gill

Kirk Fell in the sun and Great Gable behind looking as though it is on fire!!

Greendale Tarn backed by Middle Fell from the steep climb to Seatallan

Still a great view even from the climb to Seatallan

Scoat Tarn with Red Pike right and Scoat Fell left. Pillar in shadow behind

Blengdale

Haycock which is at the head of Blengdale

Seatallan summit

Summit trig and the Scafells

Cat Bields down to the right and the Irish Sea in the sunshine

Looking back to Seatallan from Cat Bields

Apart from Wainwright himself, Joss Naylor is the second most popular person to have walked these fells. This is his cairn

Joss Naylor Cairn and Middle Fell

Sunburst from Buckbarrow

Buckbarrow summit

And again with Cat Bields left and Seatallan right

I had to sit to take this shot from Buckbarrow Crags with all the wind. A lovely view along Wastwater to the Scafells. The car is parked down there on the bottom right of picture