Buckbarrow

Buckbarrow is a small fell in the Lake District, overlooking the western end of Wastwater. It stands as the craggy southern outlier of Seatallan, a much higher fell to its north. The fell’s name comes from the Old English word for a male deer or goat. Its crags rise steeply above the lake, forming a rugged miniature counterpart to the grander fells nearby. The fell stretches about three-quarters of a mile along its southern face, marked by features such as Long Crag and Pike Crag. The fell is worth visiting for its dramatic views of Wastwater and the surrounding fells. From Pike Crag, the full length of the lake can be seen, along with Great Gable and the Scafells. Buckbarrow’s geology includes andesite lavas and granophyric microgranite, with basalt and dolerite dykes cutting through the rock. The summit area shows outcrops of the Birker Fell Formation, while peat and drift deposits cover the lower slopes. The fell is also a popular spot for rock climbers, drawn to its steep crags. Visitors find a rocky mound near the crag rim, though better views come from a lower knoll above Pike Crag. The crags drop sharply to the road below, creating a striking contrast with the gentler slopes of Seatallan. Gill Beck flows between Buckbarrow and the main ridge, while Greendale Gill marks its eastern boundary. The fell can be climbed from Harrow Head farm or via Greendale, with routes that avoid the steepest sections. Walkers descending from Seatallan often include Buckbarrow as part of their route.