Lake District
Little Calva
642M
2107FT
About Little Calva
Tucked away in the 'Back o' Skiddaw' wilds, this peat-covered dome offers a quieter perspective on the Northern Fells than its busier neighbours. Usually bagged alongside its loftier sibling, Great Calva, the summit provides a clear, foreground view of the massive Lonscale Fell and the dark cleft of Wiley Gill.
Key Statistics
Rank
216th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Northern Fells
Prominence
?
14.2m
Nearest Town
Underskiddaw
Geology
You are walking upon the Kirk Stile Formation, where layers of mud and silt have been compressed into solid, fine-grained stone.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY282314
Latitude
54.6733°N
Longitude
3.1144°W
Did You Know?
- •The name Calva is derived from the Old Norse 'kalfr', meaning calf; in mountain terminology, this usually signifies a smaller hill standing in the shadow of a larger one—in this case, Great Calva.
- •While its neighbor is a well-known Wainwright, Little Calva is only listed as a Birkett and Synge, making it a much quieter summit favored by those looking to escape the main tourist tracks.
- •The ascent from the south-east typically follows a dilapidated fence line up from Grainsgill Beck, a practical navigational aid through the thick heather and occasional peat hags.
- •From the summit, there is a particularly fine, framed view looking directly south down the Glenderaterra valley, with the distant profile of the Helvellyn range visible on clear days.
- •The ground between here and Knott to the north consists of some of the wettest peat in the Lake District; it is a place where 'waterproof' boots are frequently asked to prove their marketing claims.