Lake District
Cold Pike
700M
2296FT
About Cold Pike
Often overlooked in favour of its neighbor, Pike'O'Blisco, Cold Pike is a rugged summit known for its multiple rocky tops and excellent views over Upper Eskdale. It’s a straightforward but boggy pull from the top of Wrynose Pass, offering a much quieter experience than the main Langdale ridges.
Key Statistics
Rank
160th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Fells
Prominence
?
46.1m
Nearest Town
Elterwater
Geology
You are standing on rocks from the Birker Fell Andesite Formation, a dacite volcanic rock that formed from cooled lava flows, though its exact age remains unknown.
Find It
Latitude
54.4226°N
Longitude
3.1376°W
Did You Know?
- •The fell is characterized by its three distinct rocky summits—the West, Far West, and main summits—with the highest point marked by a prominent cairn on a plinth of rock.
- •Its location directly above the Red Tarn col means it serves as a natural waypoint for those transitioning between the Langdale Pikes and the more rugged Crinkle Crags.
- •The name is descriptive of its exposed, windswept nature, with 'Pike' originating from the Old Norse 'pík', denoting a pointed hill or summit.
- •To the south lies the ancient Roman road over Wrynose Pass, once a vital supply route linking the forts at Ambleside and Ravenglass across some of the most challenging terrain in Roman Britain.
- •While it is a distinct Wainwright, many hikers treat it as a mere 'bonus summit' to be ticked off quickly, provided they haven't already been defeated by the energy-sapping bogs around Red Tarn.