Calfhow Pike

About Calfhow Pike

Rising as a distinct rocky outcrop on the northern ridge of the Helvellyn range, this summit breaks the grassy monotony between Clough Head and Great Dodd. It offers a sharp, elevated perspective of Blencathra’s scales across the Glenderamackin valley, making it a characterful detour for those walking the high fells above Threlkeld.

Key Statistics

Find It

Did You Know?

• •The name is rooted in Old Norse, where 'kalfr' (calf) signifies a smaller hill standing beside a larger one—in this case, Great Dodd—and 'haugr' denotes a mound or hill.
• •Many walkers inadvertently bypass the summit via the well-worn path on the western slope; taking the extra few minutes to reach the rocky top reveals a far better vista of the Vale of Keswick and the Skiddaw massif.
• •From the summit, the view north across the Glenderamackin valley offers one of the best profiles of Blencathra’s southern ridges, particularly the sharp line of Hall's Fell Top.
• •Although omitted from Alfred Wainwright’s seven pictorial guides, it is recognized as a distinct peak by both Bill Birkett and Tim Synge, making it a necessary stop for those completing the Birkett or Synge lists.
• •It is one of the few points on the northern Helvellyn ridge where the terrain changes from smooth grass to stones, providing a brief moment where you actually have to watch your footing.