Walk

Walk : Great Cockup (1,720 feet) from Longlands via Trusmador

Date : 28th July 2017

Weather : Cloudy @ 14°C – very cold and windy on top

Distance : 4.5 mile round trip

Time Taken : 1 hour 20 mins to summit, @ 3.5 hours in total

Which part of Lakeland is this walk situated

Terrain Overview

Overview

The final full day of our week long stay in Ambleside, due to a planned “heavy night” we decided to chance the weather which in fairness didn’t look too promising

to tackle a fell we did not have time to do when we last visited the Uldale area. Great Cockup is one of a number of fells nearby available from the top of Trusmadoor

From the A66 just past Keswick, take the roundabout and follow the A591 towards Carlisle which journeys past Bassenthwaite Lake. Follow the signs for Orthwaite

and then on towards Longlands, where eventually a small area for a couple of cars near Longlands Beck Bridge is encountered

Through the 5 barred gate and turn immediately right to follow a stony path that weaves its way through dense heather. Keep as close as possible to the fence on

the right hand side

Further down the track opens out more and the way ahead is a lot clearer as you pass the base of Longlands Fell on the left

About three quarters of a mile or so down the track and the first sight of the Col of Trusmadoor and Great Cockup on the right

Looking back towards Binsey from the track

Further down the track and it descends to cross the River Ellen. At this point the ground can become quite boggy especially during winter months

Over the river and the path starts to climb steadily towards Trusmadoor. Here Sue takes a brief look back at the distance already travelled

Nearing the high point of the Col. Great Cockup is on the right and Meal Fell is on the left

The marker cairn is a significant point on the track as it is built at the junction of which path you can take depending on your chosen destination. We will be turning

sharp right to start the climb up to Great Cockup

The start of the climb up the escarpment

The path is well marked and easy to follow

Looking across Trusmadoor to the path leading up to Meal Fell

An early view of Skiddaw from the ridge path

On the extreme left the summit shelter cairn on Meal Fell and the ridge path to Great Sca Fell on the right

There are 2 summit cairns on the top of the Fell, the first one is hardly worth a mention in all honesty and is the lower of the high points

Across the dip maybe about a third of a mile away is the higher summit point. Easy walking throughout

Sue making her way to the second cairn

Ste on the true summit. A nice spot to set down for lunch

Yes … we started out in Tee Shirts and on top ended in nearly full winter gear – it was freezing !!! – Bassenthwaite Lake in the background

Click here for a 360 degree panoramic view from the summit … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NWLejcnMco

Looking South to the ridge to Ullock Pike rising gradually from Bassenthwaite

Fifty five years ago Alfred Wainwright sketched this view … things haven’t changed much !!!