Peak District
Eccles Pike
370M
1214FT
About Eccles Pike
Rising sharply between Whaley Bridge and Chapel-en-le-Frith, this gritstone peak offers a quick but rewarding ascent. The summit features a distinctive stone orientation plaque, providing clear views across the High Peak. It’s a breezy, accessible Hump that feels much higher than its modest 370-metre elevation suggests.
Key Statistics
Rank
280th Highest in Peak District
Parent Range
Peak District
Prominence
?
132m
Nearest Town
Whitehough
Geology
Eccles Pike is formed from layers of rugged sandstone and siltstone known as Chatsworth Grit. These sturdy rocks provide the solid foundation beneath your boots.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SK035812
Latitude
53.3277°N
Longitude
1.9489°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'Eccles' is derived from the Brythonic word eglēsia, meaning a church. This suggests the hill may have been a site of early religious significance or served as a landmark visible from a nearby ancient church site.
- •The summit was donated to the National Trust in 1937 by M.A. Higgins to commemorate the coronation of King George VI, ensuring it remains an open space for public access.
- •A stone toposcope at the highest point identifies the surrounding landmarks, including the dark plateau of Kinder Scout, the Great Ridge from Mam Tor to Lose Hill, and the gritstone edges of Combs Moss.
- •Geologically, the hill is an isolated outcrop of Namurian gritstone, standing as a prominent 'island' above the surrounding valleys of the Black Brook and the River Goyt.
- •The summit is famously exposed; on a blustery day, the wind speed here often suggests the hill has ambitions of grandeur far beyond its actual 370-metre stature.