Lake District
Burnt Horse
570M
1870FT
About Burnt Horse
Situated on the south-eastern shoulder of Lonscale Fell, this grassy spur offers a vertiginous perspective on the Glenderaterra Valley. While most hikers bypass it for the higher peaks, this Synge top provides an unparalleled view of Blencathra’s western ridges, which rise like a massive wall across the deep mountain trench.
Key Statistics
Rank
300th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Northern Fells
Prominence
?
13m
Nearest Town
Underskiddaw
Geology
The ground here belongs to the Kirk Stile Formation. It is built from layers of ancient mud and silt that have hardened into stone.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY288280
Latitude
54.6425°N
Longitude
3.1045°W
Did You Know?
- •The name likely refers to the practice of 'swaling' or burning the heather to encourage new growth for grazing, combined with 'Horse', which may refer to the shape of the spur or a historic grazing right.
- •It was listed by Tim Synge in his 1995 guidebook to the fells, categorized as a distinct summit because of its dramatic position and commanding presence overlooking the valley floor.
- •The summit provides an exceptional perspective on the 'Saddleback' profile of Blencathra, allowing walkers to see the full depth of the Glenderaterra Valley and the steep screes of Blease Fell.
- •Though it sits directly above the popular terrace path of the Cumbria Way, the summit itself is rarely visited, making it a sanctuary of quiet even when the nearby Skiddaw paths are teeming with crowds.
- •Despite the suggestive name, the most scorched thing you are likely to encounter on this ridge is the skin of a walker who underestimated the Lakeland sun.