Lantern Pike

About Lantern Pike

Overlooking Hayfield on the western fringe of the Peak District, this prominent National Trust hill provides an accessible vantage point compared to nearby Kinder Scout. Its distinct conical shape and well-trodden paths lead to a summit with panoramic views stretching from the Manchester skyline to the gritstone edges of the Dark Peak.

Key Statistics

Find It

Did You Know?

• •The name likely originates from the hill's historical use as a beacon site, where fires were lit to signal approaching danger. 'Pike' is a common Northern English term for a pointed summit, derived from the Old English 'pīc'.
• •The summit offers a surprisingly expansive 360-degree panorama for its modest height. To the east, you can see the massive plateau of Kinder Scout and the Great Ridge of Mam Tor, while the west reveals the Jodrell Bank Lovell Telescope and the towers of central Manchester.
• •The hill serves as a key waypoint for long-distance hikers; the Peak District Boundary Walk passes directly over the summit, while the 205-mile Pennine Bridleway crosses its eastern flank.
• •Unlike the often saturated peat bogs found on the nearby higher plateaus, the terrain here is largely firm grass and gritstone, making it a reliable choice for walking during wetter seasons.
• •Despite its name, you are unlikely to find any actual lanterns at the top today; the modern summit is instead marked by a stone directional topograph that identifies distant landmarks such as Snowdonia on exceptionally clear days.