Stang Hill [Arnsbarrow Hill South Top]

About Stang Hill [Arnsbarrow Hill South Top]

Rising above the south-eastern shores of Coniston Water, this rugged outcrop forms the southern shoulder of Arnsbarrow Hill. It offers a quieter alternative to the higher peaks nearby, with terrain of tussocky grass and heather. The summit provides a grandstand view of the Coniston Fells and the shimmering expanse of Morecambe Bay.

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Did You Know?

• •The name 'Stang' is derived from the Old Norse 'stöng', meaning a pole or stake. In the context of Cumbrian hill names, it usually signifies a boundary marker or a specific measure of land used by early Norse settlers.
• •Bill Birkett included this summit as the South Top of Arnsbarrow Hill in his 'Complete Lakeland Fells' list. It is one of the smaller summits in his collection, sitting at the transition point between the high fells and the gentler Furness hills.
• •The hill is often climbed as part of a circular route from Blawith or Nibthwaite, typically combined with the main summit of Arnsbarrow Hill and Top o' Selside to the north-east.
• •From the summit cairn, there is an exceptional perspective across the Crake Valley. On a clear day, the Hoad Monument at Ulverston is visible to the south, while the jagged silhouettes of Dow Crag and the Old Man of Coniston dominate the north-western skyline.
• •Despite its modest elevation, the ground between here and the main Arnsbarrow summit is a masterclass in Lakeland 'rough'—a mix of pathless heather and hidden boggy hollows that will find any weakness in a walker's waterproofs.