Great Cockup

Great Cockup is a summit in the uplands of Cumbria rising to about 530 meters, with its plateau marked by stone-built structures used for shooting. The southwestern slopes remain open fell, making the whole terrain straightforward to navigate.

The name comes from Old English and refers to a valley where wild birds gathered, with the term later applied to the hill itself. The stone shooting structures date to modern times, when hunting became important to the upland economy.

The mountain sits at the edge of upland shooting territory, where stone structures on the plateau reflect how people have shaped the land for their livelihoods. These features remain a visible sign of the region's ongoing connection to field sports and rural traditions.

The climb starts from Orthwaite village, following a farm track along Hause Gill before branching onto open slopes. Weather conditions matter here, as wet ground can become slippery and visibility is important on the higher open fell.

A lone large boulder sits on the lower southern slopes, left behind from glacial times and often passed without notice. Such erratics scattered across the upland tell of how ice sheets once moved through this valley thousands of years ago.

Location: Allerdale

Elevation above the sea: 526 m

GPS coordinates: 54.68966,-3.12875

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:04