Hopegill Head

About Hopegill Head

Defined by the precipitous plunge of Hobcarton Crag into the valley below, this North Western peak offers some of the district's most dramatic architecture. Its summit acts as a narrow hub, linking the airy ridge of Whiteside with the heather-clad slopes of Ladyside Pike and the popular Coledale Horseshoe.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is rooted in Old Norse, where 'hop' refers to a small, enclosed valley and 'gil' describes a narrow, rocky ravine. Collectively, Hopegill Head marks the high point above the steep-sided valley of Hobcarton.
• •Alfred Wainwright held the fell in high regard, describing the summit as 'a place of great charm' and 'one of the best in the district.' He particularly praised the view down the vertiginous northern face into the dark depths of Hobcarton Crag.
• •The summit offers a spectacular vantage point for looking north over the Whinlatter Pass and the Solway Firth to the distinct silhouette of Criffel in the Scottish Southern Uplands. To the east, the massive profiles of Skiddaw and Blencathra dominate the horizon across the Vale of Keswick.
• •The northern face, Hobcarton Crag, is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Its inaccessible, crumbling slate ledges provide a rare sanctuary for mountain flora, including the Purple Saxifrage and the only English site for the Alpine Catchfly.
• •While many fells have broad, grassy tops, the summit here is a true 'top' — a tiny, rocky platform where several ridges converge. It provides just enough room for a small group to stand, making it feel more like a mountain peak than a moorland hill.
• •The walk across the connecting ridge to Whiteside is frequently described as 'airy'; in Cumbrian weather, this is often a polite way of saying you will be leaning into a gale while trying to stay on the path.