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Mellbreak Summit – Kirkstile Inn loop from Brackenthwaite

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Hiking trails & Routes

Mellbreak Summit – Kirkstile Inn loop from Brackenthwaite

Moderate

4.8

(37)

261

hikers

Mellbreak Summit – Kirkstile Inn loop from Brackenthwaite

04:11

11.3km

470m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: July 22, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Lake District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

741 m

Crummock Water — Dam and Viewpoint

Highlight • Lake

At the point where the River Cocker meets Crummock Water is a classically picturesque view the Buttermere valley. A popular spot for skimming stones, there are few backgrounds as idyllic.

Tip by

6.66 km

View of Crummock Water and Buttermere

Highlight • Lake

6.93 km

As Mellbreak stands apart from the other Loweswater fells, from a distance its appearance reminds me of a sleeping dinosaur. You can just imagine it rising up from its slumber beside Crummock Water! There are two main summits to Mellbreak and the southerly peak is the Wainwright top. The most exciting way up Mellbreak is from the north up the tongue of scree and following a trail through heather to reach the north top first.

Tip by

8.13 km

View from Mellbreak North Top

Highlight • Viewpoint

Mellbreak North Top (509m) offers the best views of the surrounding area and is submitted by tackling the steep scree. It’s not the summit or official Wainwright location, which is an additional
3m in height and further along the trail

Tip by

8.91 km

Start of the Melbreak Scree Ascent

Highlight • Viewpoint

While the scree can be tackled head-on, I would recommend turning left to follow the scree path as it climbs left around the hillside, with great views back across Loweswater. This was is the best route to ascend melbrek as it it quiet steep and loose underfoot. For the descent I recommend following the path on the south side which is much more sloping and grassy 😊

Tip by

10.1 km

Kirkstile Inn

Highlight • Restaurant

The best pub in the world. Get a pint of Loweswater Gold whilst sitting in the beer garden with views of Melbreak. Can't beat it!

Tip by

11.1 km

View of Grasmoor

Highlight • Summit

Limited space in the car park - best to get there early in the busy season?

Tip by

11.3 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.90 km

4.03 km

1.26 km

1.02 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

4.03 km

2.31 km

1.90 km

1.70 km

877 m

276 m

158 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (500 m)

Lowest point (100 m)

Weather

Saturday 1 August

19°C

8°C

5 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Mellbreak Summit – Kirkstile Inn loop from Brackenthwaite

Crummock Water — Dam and Viewpoint