North Pennines
Islington Hill
492M
1614FT
About Islington Hill
Rising above the Stainmore Gap in the North Pennines' eastern fringes, this modest moorland summit offers a quiet alternative to the busier Dales. The terrain is typical of the high Pennines—expect rough grasses and peaty ground—providing an understated but rewarding ascent with wide-open views across the A66 corridor.
Key Statistics
Rank
188th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Yorkshire Dales
Prominence
?
Data coming soon
Nearest Town
County Durham
Geology
Beneath your feet lie layers of sandstone, siltstone, and mudstone. These rocks form the sturdy Stainmore and Firestone foundations that shape Islington Hill.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NZ001298
Latitude
54.6150°N
Longitude
2.0100°W
Did You Know?
- •The name likely stems from local farmsteads near North Stainmore; in this region, such names often reflect Old English 'tun' (settlement) suffixes common throughout the eastern Pennine foothills.
- •The hill overlooks the historic Stainmore Pass, where the Roman road from Bowes to Brough once climbed through the mist, a route still mirrored by the modern A66.
- •From the summit, walkers can look westward across the Eden Valley towards the Lake District, while the massive, restricted plateau of Mickle Fell dominates the northern horizon.
- •At 492 metres, it is classified as a Tump, meaning it has a drop of at least 30 metres on all sides, making it a distinct, if modest, topographical feature.
- •Despite the name, anyone arriving in search of the Northern Line or a trendy bistro will be disappointed to find only heather, bog, and the occasional startled grouse.