Mellbreak, Lake District
It may be smallish, but a wealth of interesting features and outstanding views make this fell a classic Lakeland walk.
Mellbreak rises splendidly above the western shore of lovely Crummock Water in the Buttermere Valley.
It is not a giant by Lakeland summits and has two tops, with the south one being the highest and the true summit at 512m – there are great views to be had within a short distance of the summit area. The northern top is lower by 3m and has two cairns and offers some spectacular panoramas.
Mellbreak and Crummock Water are inseparable, and it would be hard to imagine one without the other as your eyes are naturally drawn to the fell as you view the lake. Mellbreak has a distinct shape and a rugged character all of its own. This route traverses both summits and returns along the enchanting path that rises and falls alongside Crummock Water. Although a lot of the fell is grassy, it is very steep-sided and the ascent from the Kirkstile Inn is a classic climb and worthy of a fell twice the height of modest Mellbreak. It is a mixture of steep (and often unstable) scree and a wonderfully rugged path that meanders through rock buttresses, taking you into some spectacular situations with awesome views.
NY149214 Exit the 1 car park to go left down the road. Stay ahead to fork left for the Kirkstile Inn by a small parking area and telephone box. Continue to a lane junction at the Kirkstile Inn. Go left and immediately right for Mosedale to pass below the beer garden. Continue to Kirkgate Farm and take a rough enclosed track beyond the farmyard to wind a way towards a coniferous plantation. After a gate go ahead at a path junction rising through trees to a path junction at the plantation edge. Go ahead towards Mellbreak rising towards screes. At the screes fork left to climb over scree and rough ground. Continue up on the zigzag path to reach a grassy ledge with stunning views. Cut back right, going right of a gully to ascend a heathery rib and climb another scree run and some rock steps. At a grassy nose cut right, following the path through fern and heather. Curve right of a heather and rock nose to cut back left and climb it. Rise beyond to reach the twin cairns on Mellbreak’s north top.
NY143195 Take 2 the path southerly towards Red Pike in the distance to descend to a col. Cross this on the right side to rise up beyond. After boggy ground the path cuts left to rise steeply and reach the unmarked southern summit of Mellbreak (the true summit).
NY148186 Take the 3 path southerly to a small grassy mound with a rock on. Descend southerly towards Red Pike to cross marshy ground and go ahead on a better path that curves right and left and continues to a low broken fence. Step over this to descend the path beyond, soon curving right towards a valley. Descend to a path junction by a beck in the valley.
NY148173 Go left 4 towards Crummock Water, descending with the beck right to pass a bridge and continue to a second bridge. Go left, crossing boggy ground to curve right and descend towards Crummock Water to reach a path junction and footbridge.
NY156177 Go left, 5 taking the undulating path by Crummock Water to pass through a wall gap. Continue on above the lake to pass through a gate in a wall and curve right around a stony beach and pass through a kissing gate. Ignore the first path left almost immediately and continue to take a faint grassy path left after a broken wall and small earth works. Follow the path passing right of a ruined building to pass through a gate and continue through woodland to cross a stile. Cross the field to a junction with a track by a bridge. Go right to the pump house building and join a path, going left on it past the pump house. Pass through a gate to continue by the lake curving left to cross a series of bridges and continue on the path beyond. Go ahead at a path junction to go left on a track after a bench and before a second bench. Stay ahead on this track to return to the car park.