North Pennines
Parson's Pulpit
538M
1765FT
About Parson's Pulpit
Located in the Southern Fells of the Yorkshire Dales, this 538m Hump is the crowning point of a vast limestone plateau. The approach involves crossing classic karst terrain, where dry stone walls bisect a landscape of shake holes and thin grass. The summit trig pillar provides a sense of immense, windswept space.
Key Statistics
Rank
148th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Yorkshire Dales
Prominence
?
131m
Nearest Town
North Yorkshire
Geology
You are trekking over layers of limestone, sandstone, and clay-rich rock. These stacked stone beds form the solid, rugged foundation of Parson’s Pulpit.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SD918687
Latitude
54.1141°N
Longitude
2.1269°W
Did You Know?
- •The name likely refers to the hill's prominence as a natural 'preaching' spot, a common naming convention in the Pennines for hills that overlook several valleys or parishes.
- •The summit trig point offers a clear perspective of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, with the distinctive crouched-lion shape of Pen-y-ghent clearly visible to the northwest and the sprawling mass of Fountains Fell to the west.
- •The plateau around the summit is peppered with shake holes—conical depressions caused by the collapse of limestone caves beneath the surface—which are a signature feature of this karst landscape.
- •Finding the actual highest point can be a minor test of faith; the plateau is so broad and level that the trig pillar often feels like the only thing preventing the hill from being perfectly flat.