LAKE DISTRICT, CUMBRIA

The most northerly part is dominated by the two giants, Skiddaw (3,054 feet) and Blencathra, and their many satellites. Behind them stands the wide expanse of Back o'Skidda with Knott as its highest point. This area is separated from the rest of the Lakes by a deep moat of low ground - Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick and the Glenderamackin valley. With the exception of Blencathra these hills are smooth, rounded and grassy.

The North Western area stands between the valleys of Borrowdale and Buttermere, with Honister Pass joining the two dales. This area comprises the Newlands Fells (Dale Head, Robinson, Catbells) and the ridge joining them. To the north stand Grasmoor, Grisedale Pike and the hills around the valley of Coledale, and in the far north west is Thornthwaite Forest and Lord's Seat. The fells in this area are rounded Skiddaw slate, with no tarns and few rock faces.

The western part is the area between Buttermere and Wasdale, with Sty Head forming the apex of a large triangle. Ennerdale bisects the area, which consists of the High Stile ridge north of Ennerdale, the Loweswater Fells in the far north west, the Pillar group in the south west, and Great Gable (2,949 ft) near Sty Head. Other tops include Seatallan, Haystacks and Kirk Fell. This area is craggy and steep, with the impressive pinnacle of Pillar Rock its showpiece.

The central part is the lowest in terms of elevation. It takes the form of a long boot-shaped ridge running from Loughrigg Fell above Ambleside to Keswick, with Derwent Water on the west and Thirlmere on the east. At the heel of the 'boot' are the impressive Langdale Pikes with High Raise behind them. The central ridge running north over High Seat is exceptionally boggy.

The eastern area again is a long north-to-south ridge - the Helvellyn range, running from Clough Head to Seat Sandal with the 3,118-foot Helvellyn at its highest point. A wall of ten miles of 2500 ft plus summits with grassy western slopes, but impressive rocky corries and crags on the eastern side. The Fairfield group lies to the south of the range, and forms a similar pattern with towering rock faces and hidden valleys spilling into the Patterdale valley. It culminates in the height of Red Screes overlooking the Kirkstone Pass.

The Far Eastern Fells lie on the other side of Patterdale; steep sides leading up to a huge moorland plateau again on a north-south basis. High Street at 2,717 feet is the highest point on the ridge, and has impressive crags overlooking the hidden valley of Mardale and Haweswater. In the south of this region are the fells overlooking Kentmere, and to the east is Shap Fells, a huge area that is more akin to the Pennines than the Lakes, consisting of high flat moorland.

The Mid Western fells are a triangular shape, with the corners at the Irish Sea, Borrowdale and Langdale. They comprise the Wastwater Screes overlooking Wasdale, the Glaramara ridge overlooking Borrowdale, the three tops of Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and Esk Pike overlooking Langdale and Scafell Pike in the centre, at 3,209 feet the highest ground in England. Scafell one mile to the south west is slightly lower but has an 700-foot rock face on its north face, Scafell Crag. The valley of Eskdale penetrates this upland wilderness. These fells are the most rugged and craggy of all, and consequently going is slower amongst the tumbled granite.

The South Western Fells have as their northern boundary the Hardknott and Wrynose Passes. The Furness Fells stand between Coniston and the Duddon Valley, which runs NE-SW through the centre of the area. On the other side of the Duddon is Harter Fell and the long ridge leading over Whitfell to Black Combe and the sea. The south of this region is lower forests and knolls, with Kirkby Moor on the southern boundary.

The South Eastern area is the territory between Coniston Water and Windermere, and also east of Windermere. There are no high summits in this group; it is mainly low hills, knolls and bumpy terrain such as Gummer's How, Whitbarrow and Top o' Selside. The wide expanse of Grizedale Forest stands between the two lakes. Kendal and Morecambe Bay mark the edge.