Lake District
Grisedale Pike
790M
2592FT
About Grisedale Pike
Grisedale Pike is one of the Lake District’s most recognisable profiles, defined by its steep, conical shape when viewed from Keswick. It offers a relentless but rewarding climb from Braithwaite, serving as the gateway to a superb high-level ridge walk toward Hopegill Head and the Coledale Round.
Key Statistics
Rank
71st Highest in Region
Parent Range
North Western Fells
Prominence
?
191
Nearest Town
Stair
Geology
The ground here is made of soft mudstone and fine-grained siltstone from the Kirk Stile Formation.
Classifications
Find It
Latitude
54.5917°N
Longitude
3.2421°W
Did You Know?
- •The name originates from the Old Norse 'gris' and 'dalr', translating to 'the peak of the valley of the pigs,' which refers to the wild boar that once roamed the area.
- •The northern face of the fell features Hobcarton Crag, a Site of Special Scientific Interest that hosts rare alpine flora, including some of the few remaining examples of Purple Saxifrage in the region.
- •Force Crag Mine, located at the base of the fell in the Coledale Valley, was the last working mineral mine in the Lake District, extracting lead, zinc, and barytes until it finally closed in 1991.
- •The ascent via the Sleet How ridge is a notorious masterclass in false summits; the steep, scree-covered path repeatedly tricks hikers into thinking the top is just seconds away when there is still significant climbing to do.
- •The summit is famous for catching the full force of westerly winds, meaning your hard-earned lunch is frequently at risk of becoming an airborne projectile if you don't take cover behind the small stone windbreak.