Lake District
High Wythow
410M
1345FT
About High Wythow
Rising above the Duddon Valley, this rugged Birkett offers a quiet alternative to the busier Coniston giants. Characterised by rocky outcrops and grassy slopes, it serves as an excellent vantage point for surveying the Dunnerdale fells and the precipitous eastern face of Harter Fell across the valley.
Key Statistics
Rank
587th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Fells
Prominence
?
10m
Nearest Town
Coniston
Geology
You are walking over ancient layers of volcanic ash, hardened sands, and cooled lava flows that form the rugged foundation of this fell.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SD300990
Latitude
54.3819°N
Longitude
3.0788°W
Did You Know?
- •The name likely derives from the Old Norse 'vidr', meaning wood, and 'haugr', meaning a hill or mound, reflecting the historical Viking influence in the Duddon area.
- •High Wythow is almost always climbed as part of a circuit including its higher neighbour, Caw, which sits immediately to the north and dominates the local skyline.
- •From the summit, walkers are treated to a clear view of the historic Roman road ascending towards Hardknott Pass, framed by the distant, jagged profile of the Scafell massif.
- •The fell is located in a part of the Lake District known for its silence; even on a busy weekend, you are more likely to encounter Herdwick sheep than another hiking party.
- •At 410 metres, it clears the 1,000-foot requirement for a Birkett comfortably, though the lack of a primary path ensures you will spend more time navigating bracken than following a trail.