North Pennines
Barnarm Scar
371M
1217FT
About Barnarm Scar
Rising above the River Greta on the fringes of the North Pennines, this gritstone-capped escarpment offers a quiet, rugged experience. Its western slopes drop sharply towards the Stainmore Gap, providing expansive views across to the distant summits of the Yorkshire Dales and the sprawling moors of County Durham.
Key Statistics
Rank
246th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Yorkshire Dales
Prominence
?
Data coming soon
Nearest Town
County Durham
Geology
Barnarm Scar is built from layers of limestone, sandstone, and mudstone. These rocks belong to the Alston Formation, which includes the prominent Great Limestone layer.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY793162
Latitude
54.6133°N
Longitude
2.2929°W
Did You Know?
- •The term 'Scar' originates from the Old Norse word 'skjer', used throughout the Pennines to denote a precipitous rock face or limestone escarpment.
- •From the summit, walkers look directly down upon the Stainmore Gap, a historic trans-Pennine pass used by the Romans to connect their forts at Verterae (Brough) and Lavatrae (Bowes).
- •The hill is situated just north of the River Greta, where the water has carved out God's Bridge, a notable natural limestone bridge that carries the Pennine Way.
- •It is classified as a Tump, a designation for hills with a drop of at least 30 metres on all sides, making it a quiet target for walkers avoiding the busier trails of the nearby National Parks.
- •The summit remains one of the few places where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the A66 without the accompanying frustration of being stuck in a lane closure.