Blakeley Raise

Blakeley Raise is a modest fell in the English Lake District, rising to 389 metres. It stands apart from nearby fells like Grike and Crag Fell because it does not appear in Wainwright’s list of Lakeland fells. Despite this, the hill offers wide views across West Cumbria, Southern Scotland and the Isle of Man. On clear days, walkers can see towns such as Whitehaven and Cleator Moor. The Sellafield nuclear site also appears in the distance. The fell has a gentle, dome-like shape and is connected to Heckbarley, a subsidiary summit of Grike. On its lower western side lies Blakeley Moss, a wetland area, and the Kinniside Stone Circle. The northern slopes are covered in woodland, much of which was cleared and replanted in the mid-1990s. More recent harvesting has taken place near the summit, though the rest of the hill remains rough grassland. Horses and sheep graze across the open slopes, while the replanted woodland adds patches of greenery. The stone circle near Blakeley Moss adds a historic touch to the landscape. The contrast between the open fell and the forested northern slopes makes the climb worthwhile. The summit itself is unremarkable but offers a quiet spot to enjoy the sweeping views.