Peak District
South Head
494M
1621FT
About South Head
Often paired with its neighbour Mount Famine, this prominent grassy dome offers a quieter alternative to the busy Kinder Scout plateau. Rising above the settlement of Wash, the summit provides a sharp, uncluttered vantage point overlooking the Sett Valley and the dramatic gritstone edges of the Dark Peak.
Key Statistics
Rank
53rd Highest in Peak District
Parent Range
The Peak District
Prominence
?
38m
Nearest Town
Wash
Geology
South Head is built from sturdy layers of sandstone, siltstone, and mudstone. These rocks form the Millstone Grit foundation, including the Kinderscout and Shale Grit formations.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SK061845
Latitude
53.3571°N
Longitude
1.9083°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is rooted in the Old English 'heafod', marking its position as a significant 'headland' or high point at the end of the long ridge extending from Brown Knoll toward the Sett Valley.
- •Walkers frequently combine South Head with its near-neighbour, Mount Famine; the two hills are separated by a dip at the Pennine Bridleway, creating a distinctive double-summit skyline when viewed from the south.
- •The summit offers an exceptional, unobstructed view of Kinder Downfall across the valley—the Peak District’s tallest waterfall—which is especially striking during winter when the water can freeze into a giant ice pillar.
- •While much of the surrounding High Peak is characterized by featureless peat hags, this summit is a firm, grassy Tump, making it a welcome relief for those tired of the 'Kinder sludge' found just a few miles north.