**

Souther Fell

Overshadowed by its near neighbours, especially the rugged Blencathra, Souther Fell has lots of interest in its own right. From ghostly legends to geological oddity, to just ... well, being a pleasant stroll in the company of mountains.

Published in the The Gentleman's Magazine in 1747, and in the book Tales and Legends of the English Lakes of 1891, are the accounts of a number of sightings of an army marching over the ridge. 26 people swore before a magistrate of what they saw, yet no mark was found on the hill of any marching army.

Probably from the old spelling of Souter, sometimes Soutra, it's still pronounced "souter" even if an 'h' has crept in there in the intervening years.

If you look at the map with an eye for detail, you'll spot that this hill is almost surrounded by the River Glenderamackin. The col above Mousthwaite Comb stops the Glenderamackin from taking a quick exit down to Keswick!

Finally, a summary of the route might be in order. Let's start at the amazing Mousthwaite Comb and climb to the col. Then head over that spooky ridge to drop down towards the village of Mungrisdale. Whilst still some way above the village it is better to branch off sharp right and drop down to the gated road back to Scales, as the line of the ridge is blocked by fields.