Fells/Cold Pike
Lake District
Cold Pike
700M
2296FT
Rank
160th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Fells
Nearest Town
Elterwater
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
Nearest Town
Elterwater
Prominence
?
46.1m
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.
Classifications
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.
Find It
Latitude
54.4226°N
Longitude
3.1376°W