Heron Pike (Rydal)

About Heron Pike (Rydal)

Rising steeply above Grasmere, this Wainwright marks a significant high point on the popular Fairfield Horseshoe. It offers an airy ridge walk with spectacular views down to Rydal Water and Windermere. Though a summit in its own right, it’s most frequently visited as a scenic continuation of the climb from Nab Scar.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is likely a combination of the Old Norse pík, meaning a pointed hill, and the heron. While these birds are more commonly found in the valley wetlands, they are frequently seen flying over the fell's lower slopes.
• •Alfred Wainwright regarded Heron Pike as the first 'real' summit for walkers starting the Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside, noting that the views of the Langdale Pikes and the Coniston Fells from here are 'unsurpassed.'
• •The summit offers a unique perspective on the central Lake District; looking south, you can see the full length of Windermere narrowing toward the coast, while the distinctive 'lion and the lamb' rock formation on Helm Crag is clearly visible to the north-west.
• •The true summit is located at the southern end of the ridge, but many walkers mistakenly attribute the highest point to the secondary bump further north near Erne Crag, which sits on the main path toward Great Rigg.
• •For many walkers, Heron Pike serves primarily as a convenient place to catch one's breath after the punishingly steep zig-zags of Nab Scar while pretending to be deeply engaged in the view of Rydal Water.