Fell

A fell (from Old Norse fell, fjall, "mountain"^[1]) is a high and barren landscape feature, such as a mountain range or moor-covered hills. The term is most often employed in Scandinavia, the Isle of Man, parts of northern England, and Scotland.

A view of Catbells, a fell in the Lake District of northern England.

Origins of the name

The English word fell comes from Old Norse fell, fjall (both forms existed).^[1] It is from the same root word as the Icelandic fjall/fell. Also the Swedish fjäll, and Norwegian fjell. These all refer to mountains rising above the alpine tree line.^[2]