The little fell on Ullswater's quiet southern shore that gives the best view for the least effort in the whole Lake District — half an hour up from Martindale to a huge summit obelisk and almost the entire lake at your feet.
Height · 1,272 ft
To the summit
& steep grassy pull
Nearly the whole lake
Above Ullswater's southern shore
Hallin Fell is the modest 388 m fell that rises straight from Ullswater's quiet southern shore above Howtown — and it is, pound for pound, one of the most rewarding climbs in the whole Lake District. Barely half an hour of steady uphill from the road delivers a nearly complete view of Ullswater, curving away between its guardian fells.
It is the classic “little fell, huge reward” walk: short, grassy and free of any scrambling or real exposure, topped by an enormous stone obelisk that makes the summit unmistakable. That combination makes it a superb first fell for children and a perfect leg-stretch for anyone staying at the Ullswater end of the Lakes.
The one thing worth planning is how you get to the start — the fell sits at the end of a narrow, out-of-the-way lane, and for many visitors the loveliest approach is not to drive at all but to arrive by boat.
The walk
The standard ascent starts at the top of the Hause, by St Peter's Church at Martindale. A wide grassy path leaves the road and climbs the fell directly, zig-zagging gently up the western flank — steep enough to get you breathing, short enough that the summit arrives before you tire.
It is roughly 1.5 miles round and 30–45 minutes to the top, on good ground the whole way with no scrambling. Keep to the clear path; the northern side of the fell drops away more steeply toward the lake, so it is not the place to wander in poor visibility or with young children off the trail.
Be honest with yourself about the drive
By road, Hallin Fell is genuinely out of the way. Even from Glenridding at the other end of Ullswater it is around 15 miles by car, all the way round via Pooley Bridge and then along a narrow, dead-end lane through Martindale that climbs to the Hause. It is a lovely drive, but a slow one, and the parking at the top is very limited.
By boat is the charming way, and often the sensible one: take an Ullswater Steamer to Howtown pier from Glenridding or Pooley Bridge, then walk up the lane and onto the fell. It removes the narrow drive and the parking problem entirely, and turns a short walk into a proper little outing. Check current timetables and fares, and the time of the last sailing, before you build your day around a return boat.
Logistics
Parking is at the top of the Hause, beside St Peter's Church, Martindale (grid reference NY 435 191) — limited free roadside space that fills quickly on any fine day. The lane up is steep, narrow and single-track in places.
If it is full, please do not block the lane, passing places or the church — this is a working, much-loved corner of the valley. That congestion is the best argument for the Steamer-to-Howtown approach.
The reward
The top of Hallin Fell is crowned by a superb squared stone obelisk about 12 feet high — one of the grandest summit cairns anywhere in the Lakes, and a fine windbreak to sit behind while you take in the view.
And what a view: almost the entire length of Ullswater laid out below, from the reach by Pooley Bridge round to the head of the lake beneath the high fells, with Place Fell rising across the water. For a summit you can reach in half an hour, there is nothing to touch it.
Answered
Not long at all — that is the whole appeal. From the small car park at St Peter's Church, Martindale (the Hause), it is a short, sharp pull of around 30–45 minutes to the summit, on a clear grassy path. It is one of the best returns on effort of any fell in the Lake District: barely half an hour's climb for a nearly complete view of Ullswater.
At the top of the Hause, beside St Peter's Church at Martindale (grid reference NY 435 191). There is limited free roadside parking there, and it fills quickly on fine days. It is reached by a narrow, steep lane that climbs from Howtown — take care on the single-track sections, and if the parking is full, do not block the lane or the church.
Yes — and it is the loveliest way to do it. Take the Ullswater Steamer from Glenridding or Pooley Bridge to Howtown pier, then walk up the lane and onto the fell. It turns a short hill walk into a proper little adventure and avoids the narrow drive entirely. Check current Ullswater Steamers timetables and fares before you plan around a return sailing.
It is one of the best first fells for children in the Lake District. The path is short, grassy and obvious, there is no scrambling and no real exposure, and the huge summit obelisk and the sweeping Ullswater view are a genuine reward at the top. Keep to the path, keep away from the steeper northern edge, and pick a clear day so they get the view they have earned.
Keep exploring
The nearest village base — the Howtown shoreline, Dunmallard and the easy lakeside strolls.
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The 20-mile circuit of the whole lake — Hallin Fell overlooks its Howtown–Sandwick stretch.
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See the fell from the water — the calm southern shore is prime paddling.
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Every fell guide we've written, with heights, difficulty and the best route for each.
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