This hill is marked "Great Mell Fell" on OS maps, but interestingly the National Trust sign at the foot simply says "Mell Fell". The Great was presumably added to the name at some point in history to distinguish it from nearby "Little Mell Fell", which is also just named "Mell Fell" on some documents! I have decided to add a Lancashire twist to the name since I think this fell is grand indeed, and it has been a favourite haunt of mine and my family's for the last 20 years. Thanks to the National Trust for permission for the cache.
There is parking by the side of the farm track - please make sure you don't block the gate of the field. Walk up the lane to the second stile and gate (waypoint provided) to access the fell. You can make a good clockwise circular by returning down the other side of the fell and emerging at the first gate and stile, but that way is both rough, slippery and boggy in parts, and does not make the best way up.
There are plenty of lovely views on the way up to justify having a breather! There are several paths that have been worn which lead towards the summit of the fell. My favourite is the one that doubles back from "Matterdale View" in the form of a deeply rutted track, then heads back up the broad ridge, through a lovely pine wood (great for hide and seek with the kids), and up the broad and quite boggy slope to the summit cairn, where the tremendous views are suddenly and dramatically revealed.
The cache is a plastic tub with log book and a few swaps. It is WELL HIDDEN, but I took a while getting the co-ordinates, which I hope are accurate. No need to tear up the moss! Hope you have a great walk.