Murton Pike

About Murton Pike

Rising sharply above the village of Murton, this perfectly conical outlier of the North Pennines offers a steeper ascent than its elevation suggests. Though overshadowed by the bulk of Murton Fell, its isolated position provides a grandstand view across the Eden Valley toward the distant silhouettes of Blencathra and the Helvellyn range.

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Did You Know?

• •The name derives from the Old English 'mōr' (moor) and 'tūn' (farm or settlement), referring to the village at its base. The term 'Pike' describes its distinctively pointed, near-symmetrical profile which stands out against the flatter moorland behind it.
• •The hill sits on the boundary of the Warcop Training Area. While the main track from Murton village is generally open, the land immediately to the east is used for live firing exercises; walkers must respect the red flags and keep to established paths when the range is active.
• •Due to its position on the western escarpment, the summit offers a unique vantage point to see the dramatic geological 'U-shape' of High Cup Nick to the north-east, one of the most celebrated glacial features in northern England.
• •Its striking shape makes it a primary landmark for passengers on the Settle-Carlisle Railway; it is often the most recognisable peak visible to the east as trains pass through the Eden Valley near Appleby.
• •Despite falling just six feet short of the 2,000ft mark, the unrelenting steepness of the final grassy pitch ensures your legs will believe you are climbing something significantly higher.