Peak District
Alphin Pike
470M
1541FT
About Alphin Pike
Rising steeply above Dove Stone Reservoir, this gritstone-fringed outlier marks the western edge of the Peak District. Its rugged escarpment offers an airy sense of height, contrasting the peat-heavy plateau behind. It is a rewarding viewpoint, overlooking the urban sprawl of Manchester against the wilder backdrop of the South Pennine moors.
Key Statistics
Rank
77th Highest in Peak District
Parent Range
Peak District
Prominence
?
0.9m
Nearest Town
Greenfield
Geology
The ground beneath you is built from layers of rugged sandstone and fine mudstone. These rocks, including the Kinderscout Grit, form the fell's sturdy foundation.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SE002028
Latitude
53.5219°N
Longitude
1.9985°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is likely rooted in the Old English 'ælf', meaning elf or supernatural being, combined with the Middle English 'pike', describing the hill's sharp, pointed profile when viewed from the valley floor.
- •From the summit trig point, the view offers a stark geographical contrast; the glass towers of Manchester city centre are clearly visible to the west, while the dark, desolate expanse of the Kinder Scout plateau lies to the southeast.
- •The direct ascent from the village of Greenfield is notoriously unforgiving, requiring hikers to gain nearly 300 metres of elevation in less than a mile of walking.
- •The hill forms the southern anchor of the 'Saddleworth Skyline', a classic high-level traverse that follows the dramatic gritstone edges of Wimberry Moss and Raven Stones.
- •The summit plateau is home to deep pockets of black Pennine peat that are perfectly capable of claiming a walking pole, or a hiker's boot, if you stray too far from the established gritstone path.