Mickle Fell is a mountain in the Pennines. It is 788 metres (2,585 ft) high and lies slightly off the main watershed of the Pennines, about ten miles south of Cross Fell.
It is the highest point of both the ceremonial county of County Durham and the historic county of Yorkshire, lying in the southern part of Teesdale which was transferred from the North Riding of Yorkshire to County Durham under the Local Government Act 1972.
The name of Mickle Fell comes from the Old Norse word Mikill meaning Great and Fell (or fjäll) meaning mountain or hill.
The Fell lies within the MoD Warcop training range and access is severely restricted. Public Rights of Way on the range can be accessed on only 27 days in the year and access to Mickle Fell, not being on a PRoW, is only possible by permit on open days.
A permit has been obtained for Sunday 28 August in the CO’s name and is for a specific route and a single group so all those attending must ascend and descend as a group and abide by the rules. The key rules are -
- Dogs are not permitted.
- The Guard Room to be informed by phone on entering and leaving the restricted area
- Do not touch any suspicious objects (I never even saw any on my previous trip).
A copy of the permit is attached as an image.
At the parking coordinates shown, there are bays on both sides of the road with hard standing. The walking route is just under 4 miles each way with 1300 ft of ascent and the going is rough, though some streams have bridges. Needless to say, good walking boots and mountain clothing are essential as are food and drink. It is likely to take around 5 hours in total.
A summit picnic is proposed with the prospect of some of Mrs NB’s energy-boosting choc flapjacks for all who make it. It would be nice to envisage sitting around in the sun with splendid vistas stretching away in all directions but it is quite likely to involve cowering behind the cairn in wind and cloud. So be prepared for either.
We are required to ascend as follows…. “The BOUNDARY ROUTE starts in the south from the cattle grid on the B6267 Middleton to Brough Road (GR NY 832.199) and proceeds in a north westerly direction along the route of the western boundary fence to Hanging Seal (GR NY 804.224). From there the route turns due north following the fence line onto Mickle Fell. The summit lies about 600m north east of the fence along the ridge and is defined by a large pile of stones. The trig point lying about 1 ¼ miles further to the east is 100ft lower than the summit and is not on the route. After visiting the summit, walkers should retrace their approach route back to the Middleton to Brough Road.
Despite all this formality, once out on the moors it’s just a normal walk in a splendid location with fantastic views. So why not come out and stretch your legs for the day.