NY2931 : Great Calva from Blencathra
Strenuous; steep slopes and boggy ground

Great Calva

691m Elevation
142m Prominence
England Country
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Overview

Great Calva is a 691-metre Northern Fell with a cairned summit and a long approach through open upland country.

Great Calva

Great Calva rises to 691 metres in the Northern Fells, with Little Calva on its western side. Its position well inside the hills makes the approach part of the day’s appeal.

Summit and views

The summit cairn stands at NY 29089 31188. Summit data.

Look southeast towards Bowscale Fell and Blencathra, or south along the Glenderaterra valley towards Helvellyn and the Central Fells. Great Calva appears in Book Five, The Northern Fells, of Wainwright’s pictorial guides. Fell profile.

Peter House Farm circuit

From Peter House Farm, follow the Cumbria Way towards Skiddaw House and climb past Whitewater Dash. Above the falls, cross the beck and turn left onto the steep path beside the fence to Little Calva. Continue along the fence to the stile, then turn right towards Great Calva.

Descend south through the heather to the Cumbria Way at the Dead Beck bridge. Turn right and follow the track back past Whitewater Dash to Peter House Farm. Circuit description.

The ground between the Calvas can be boggy. Carry a detailed map and keep track of the descent in poor visibility. Terrain notes.

Rock beneath the heather

Great Calva’s bedrock belongs to the Kirk Stile Formation of the Skiddaw Group. These sedimentary rocks include dark-grey mudstone and siltstone, often arranged in fine layers. Formation details.

Planning your visit

Roadside parking opposite Peter House Farm is limited. Leave farm access clear. Starting point.

For a car-free trip, plan the connection to Peter House Farm separately and check the last return service before travelling.

Take food, drinking water, waterproofs and navigation equipment. Check the mountain forecast and avoid exposed slopes in storms or strong winds. Leave your route with someone and allow enough daylight for the return. Snow and ice require winter skills and suitable equipment. Walking safety.

Explore routes near Great Calva

Public walks starting within 80 km of this hill. Nearby does not mean a route reaches the summit; check its map and access before setting out.

Mungrisdale Common and Bowscale Fell from Mosedale Valley Wainwright

13.4 km 4h 30m–6h 45m Hard

View route

Brae Fell from Longlands Wainwright

8.8 km 2h 15m–3h Moderate

View route

Binsey from Binsey Lodge Direct Out and Back Wainwright

2.4 km 40 min–50 min Moderate

View route

Bannerdale Crags from Mungrisdale Wainwright

6.9 km 1h 45m–2h 20m Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches, not verified navigable routes or permission to cross land. Check current paths, local access rules and conditions before setting out.

Peter House Farm circuit

Climb past Whitewater Dash to Little Calva, continue to Great Calva, then descend to Dead Beck. Follow the Cumbria Way back to Peter House Farm.

Strenuous fell walk
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Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Hump Simm Hewitt Nuttall Submarilyn Wainwright Birkett Synge Fellranger

Elevation

691m

2,267 ft

Prominence

142m

Coordinates

54.6708, -3.1011

NY290311

OS Map

89 90

Explorer: OL4N

At the Summit

A cairn marks the 691-metre summit at NY 29089 31188.

Terrain & Geology

Track approach steep fence-side paths heather wet ground between the Calvas and a rocky summit.

Kirk Stile Formation, Skiddaw Group: sedimentary mudstone and siltstone, commonly in thin layers.

Views & Scenery

Bowscale Fell and Blencathra to the southeast; south along the Glenderaterra valley towards Helvellyn and the Central Fells.

History & Heritage

Historical Significance

Great Calva is included in Book Five, The Northern Fells, of Wainwright’s pictorial guides.

Getting There & Facilities

Check current local access restrictions, parking rules and transport timetables before travelling. These notes do not confirm public access to the summit.

Parking

Limited roadside parking opposite Peter House Farm. Keep farm access clear.

Public Transport

Plan your connection to Peter House Farm and check current timetables and the last return service.

Nearby Facilities

Carry food and drinking water; plan supplies before heading into the fells.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Steep slopes and boggy ground need care, particularly when wet.
  • Poor visibility makes route-finding harder on the open fell.
  • Avoid exposed slopes in strong winds or storms.

Seasonal Hazards

Snow and ice turn the steep slopes into a winter mountain walk requiring appropriate equipment and skills.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Great Calva?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Great Calva through the maps

Are there other walkers around Great Calva?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Great Calva search or of course create your own walk for Great Calva

Can I organise a walk to Great Calva?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Great Calva.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Great Calva?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Great Calva here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

Great Calva location map

Grid reference: NY290311

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Hills within 30 km

Straight-line distance, not a walking route or confirmation of access.

Skiddaw

Skiddaw

930m

 Blencathra - Hallsfell Top

Blencathra - Hallsfell Top

868m

 Grisedale Pike

Grisedale Pike

790m

 Helvellyn

Helvellyn

950m

 Crag Hill [Eel Crag]

Crag Hill [Eel Crag]

839m
See 5 more nearby hills

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