Lake District
Gowk Hill
471M
1545FT
About Gowk Hill
Rising above the quiet valleys of Boredale and Bannerdale, this grassy outlier of Place Fell offers a peaceful alternative to the busier Patterdale fells. It is a simple climb from Martindale, providing a vantage point over the secluded valley heads of the Far Eastern Lake District and the sprawling reach of Ullswater.
Key Statistics
Rank
477th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Far Eastern Fells
Prominence
?
10m
Nearest Town
Martindale
Geology
Gowk Hill is built from hardened lava and layers of compressed volcanic ash. These rugged rocks form the ancient volcanic foundation beneath your boots.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY444166
Latitude
54.5425°N
Longitude
2.8597°W
Did You Know?
- •The name derives from the Old Norse word 'gaukr', which survived into local Cumbrian dialect as 'gowk', meaning a cuckoo.
- •Though omitted from the primary Wainwright guides, the hill is a recognized Birkett; Bill Birkett highlights the summit as an excellent spot to appreciate the craggy eastern face of Place Fell.
- •The hill occupies a strategic position on the ridge between Boredale and Bannerdale, making it a natural inclusion for walkers traversing the low-level routes between Patterdale and Martindale.
- •From the summit cairn, there is a clear, unobstructed view down the length of Boredale toward the northern reach of the Far Eastern fells, including the distinct profile of Hallin Fell.
- •It is the sort of summit where you are far more likely to share the view with a Herdwick sheep than another human, offering a solitude rarely found on the more famous fells across the valley.