Steeple

About Steeple

Rising as a dramatic, rocky wedge above the head of Ennerdale, this sharp-crested fell is one of the most distinctive summits in the Lake District. Though technically a spur of Scoat Fell, its airy, precipitous ridge and sense of exposure give it a fierce, independent character that far exceeds its physical footprint.

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Did You Know?

• •The name refers to the fell's striking profile when viewed from the Ennerdale valley floor, where its sharp, tapering crags resemble a church steeple. This descriptive English name captures the mountain's verticality in contrast to the broader, flatter plateaus of its neighbours like Scoat Fell or Haycock.
• •Alfred Wainwright held the peak in extremely high regard, describing it as 'an architectural masterpiece' and a 'perfect little peak' in his Pictorial Guide to the Western Fells. He gave it its own chapter despite its physical attachment to Scoat Fell, noting that its distinctive form made it impossible to ignore.
• •The summit is reached via a narrow, rocky neck which connects it to the main ridge of Scoat Fell. This airy traverse provides some of the most exhilarating walking in the Western Fells, with steep drops into the dark hollows of Mirk Cove and Windgap Cove on either side.
• •From its projecting position, Steeple offers a unique perspective down the long, wooded trough of Ennerdale. The view westward past the sprawling flanks of Pillar towards Ennerdale Water and the Irish Sea beyond is one of the most celebrated 'long views' in the district.
• •Space at the summit is so limited that if you arrive at the same time as a large walking group, you may find yourself reconsidering the definition of personal space on a precipice.