Cofa Pike

About Cofa Pike

Standing as a sharp, rocky sentinel on the ridge connecting St Sunday Crag to Fairfield, this rugged Birkett offers the most dramatic terrain in the Eastern Fells. Its narrow, shattered crest provides a brief but exhilarating scramble, contrasting sharply with the broad, grassy plateau of its parent peak just to the south.

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Did You Know?

• •The name 'Cofa' likely derives from the Old English word cofa, meaning a chamber, cave, or cove; in this context, it refers to the dramatic, scooped-out hollows of Link Cove and Deepdale that drop away steeply from the pike's narrow ridges.
• •Unlike the rounded, grassy domes common to this range, Cofa Pike is a shattered horn of volcanic rock. Bill Birkett included it in his 1994 list specifically for its distinct character, noting it as the most interesting feature on the approach to Fairfield.
• •The summit offers a spectacular perspective on the craggy northern face of Fairfield, known as Fairfield Crags. From here, you can clearly trace the 'Step', a tricky rock move on the descent into Link Cove often used by winter climbers.
• •Walkers tackling the Deepdale Horseshoe will find this the most technical section of the day. The climb from Deepdale Hause involves navigating a series of rocky tiers that require basic scrambling, particularly when the rock is greasy or iced over.
• •It serves as a useful diagnostic tool for walkers; if you find the short scramble over the pike unnerving, the more exposed edges of Helvellyn across the valley are likely best left for another day.