Plan and record your progress through the Wainwright Fells of the Lake District
Amongst the smallest of the fells covered in Alfred Wainwright's Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, Black Fell is the high point of a hilly region between Coniston and Hawkshead. The famous walker, writer and illustrator gave Black Fell its own chapter in his guide because of the excellent views that Wainwright walkers can take in at the summit, largely as a result of its relatively isolated position. Interestingly, Black Fell's land was once owned by Beatrix Potter, who later bequeathed it to the National Trust for the benefit of visitors to this picturesque part of the Lake District.
A Black Fell walk can be started from a number of points, with those from Skelwith Bridge and Yew Tree Tarn amongst the most popular. Trips to the summit are also possible from Coniston and Tarn Hows, the popular tourist destination. If looking to combine more than one of the Wainwrights to complete peaks from a Wainwright Hill Chart, the only straightforward option is Holme Fell, which can be included on a number of circular walks with Black Fell.
Because of its diminutive size, Black Fell is perhaps not usually top of the list of priorities for a Wainwright bagger. However, it should not be dismissed because of the quality of this Wainwright Hill as a viewpoint, with excellent views of Windermere, the Langdales and the Coniston Fells as well as the attractive, green lowlands to the south.
Further reading on the Wainwright hill Black Fell can be found in Book Four, The Southern Fells of Alfred Wainwright's Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells.