Lake District
White Pike (Birkby Fell)
442M
1450FT
About White Pike (Birkby Fell)
Tucked away in the quiet southwest, this rocky summit provides a wild, rugged perspective on the Eskdale fells. Rising above the expansive moorland of Birkby Fell, its crest offers a sense of isolation and a striking vantage point over the dark, sprawling waters of nearby Devoke Water.
Key Statistics
Rank
521st Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Fells
Prominence
?
17m
Nearest Town
Muncaster
Geology
You are trekking over ancient layers of solidified lava. This foundation is made of volcanic rocks, including andesite and rhyolite, which form the ground beneath your boots.
Classifications
Find It
Latitude
54.3492°N
Longitude
3.3083°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'White Pike' likely refers to the pale, weather-bleached appearance of the rhyolite rock outcrops, while 'Birkby' derives from the Old Norse Byrkibær, meaning a settlement near birch trees.
- •Alfred Wainwright included White Pike in his 'Devoke Water Circuit' within The Outlying Fells of Lakeland, noting that the area is rich in prehistoric remains and offers a solitude rarely found in the central fells.
- •The summit provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the Scafell range from the south; the massive profiles of Scafell Pike and Slight Side appear particularly imposing across the valley of Eskdale.
- •To the west, the view opens up over the Ravenglass estuary to the Irish Sea, where the Isle of Man is a frequent sight on the horizon on clear, high-pressure days.
- •The terrain surrounding the pike is notoriously sponge-like, ensuring that any walker who spends too much time admiring the sea will likely finish the day with very traditional, very wet Cumbrian boots.