Pike

About Pike

Overlooking the northern entrance to St John’s in the Vale, this modest Central Fell summit provides a quiet vantage point often overlooked in favour of its neighbour, High Rigg. Its low elevation belies an excellent perspective, looking directly across the valley to the massive western flanks of the Helvellyn range.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Old Norse 'pík', a common Cumbrian term for a pointed summit. While often used for the region's giants, here it describes the sharp, rocky outcrop that terminates the northern end of the High Rigg ridge.
• •The hill is classified as a Synge, a list of Lakeland fells compiled by Tim Synge. His criteria required a height of at least 300 metres and a minimum drop of 30 metres on all sides, ensuring this distinct top maintains its status as an independent summit.
• •The most direct approach starts near the Church of St John in the Vale. The path climbs through undulating pasture and bracken, providing a manageable ascent for those seeking a short walk with high-quality scenery away from the busier Keswick hubs.
• •The summit offers a specific, framed view of the northern end of Thirlmere and the deep notch of the valley outflow, set against the massive, scree-scarred profile of Lonscale Fell and Blencathra to the north.
• •It is a curious quirk of local geography that this 360-metre summit is actually three metres higher than the more famous High Rigg nearby, yet it is the latter that usually receives the glory and the name on the map.