Lake District
Pike How
622M
2040FT
About Pike How
Rising above the head of the Kentmere valley, this grassy shoulder provides a quieter vantage point on the eastern arm of the Kentmere Horseshoe. Characterised by small rocky outcrops and riven by ancient drystone walls, it offers an intimate perspective of the reservoir below and the steep slopes of Harter Fell.
Key Statistics
Rank
243rd Highest in Region
Parent Range
Far Eastern Fells
Prominence
?
2m
Nearest Town
Kentmere
Geology
You are walking over layers of ancient volcanic ash, stony fragments, and sandstone. These rocks were created by explosive eruptions and intense volcanic activity.
Classifications
Find It
Latitude
54.4729°N
Longitude
2.9099°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is a tautology derived from two different linguistic eras: 'Pike' comes from the Old English 'pīc', meaning a peaked hill, while 'How' originates from the Old Norse 'haugr', meaning a mound or hill.
- •While it was omitted from Alfred Wainwright’s pictorial guides, it is recognised as a distinct summit in Tim Synge’s 'The Lakeland Fells', which catalogues every top in the district with at least 15 metres of prominence.
- •The summit provides an excellent architectural view of the Kentmere Reservoir's dam and the dramatic, scree-covered western face of Harter Fell, which looms directly across the Gatescarth Pass.
- •It is situated on the high ridge between the popular summit of Kentmere Pike and the craggy outcrops of Shipman Knotts, making it a natural inclusion for walkers completing the classic circular route around the Kentmere valley.
- •Being classified as a Synge rather than a Wainwright ensures a level of solitude; you are significantly more likely to share this summit with a Herdwick sheep than a crowd of hikers.