North Pennines
Nettle Hill
383M
1255FT
About Nettle Hill
Rising quietly above the limestone country near Kirkby Stephen, this unassuming summit offers a solitary alternative to the busier Howgills. The terrain is largely rough upland pasture, providing a sharp perspective of the Mallerstang edge and the impressive, dark bulk of Wild Boar Fell across the valley.
Key Statistics
Rank
242nd Highest in Region
Parent Range
Yorkshire Dales
Prominence
?
129m
Nearest Town
Newbiggin on Lune
Geology
Nettle Hill is formed by the Ashfell and Potts Beck formations. Both of these rock layers consist of limestone.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY714076
Latitude
54.4630°N
Longitude
2.4427°W
Did You Know?
- •The name likely derives from the Old English 'netele', referring to the common stinging nettle. In hill nomenclature, this often indicates nitrogen-rich soil, typically found where livestock have traditionally gathered for shelter.
- •The hill is a notable vantage point for viewing Smardale Gill to the west, including the Victorian stonework of the Smardale Gill Viaduct which spans the valley below.
- •Classified as a Hump, the hill possesses over 100 metres of prominence, making it a more significant topographical feature than its modest height first suggests.
- •Despite the name, a walker is far more likely to be tripped by a hidden limestone hole or a rogue tussock than they are to be stung by a nettle on the summit plateau.