North Pennines
Pike Rigg
526M
1726FT
About Pike Rigg
Situated in the remote high country near the Yorkshire Dales border, this 526m Tump offers a masterclass in quiet solitude. Accessed via the wild moorland above Upper Teesdale, the broad summit rewards the persistent walker with expansive views across the rolling fells toward the massive, distant bulk of Cross Fell.
Key Statistics
Rank
163rd Highest in Region
Parent Range
North Pennines
Prominence
?
56m
Nearest Town
Northumberland
Geology
The ground beneath your boots is sandstone from the Stainmore Formation. This sturdy rock is made of layers of sand that have been compressed over time.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY729539
Latitude
54.8791°N
Longitude
2.4239°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is a blend of Middle English and Old Norse, with 'Pike' referring to a peaked summit and 'Rigg' deriving from the Norse hryggr, meaning a ridge or spine of land.
- •Looking west from the summit, the skyline is dominated by the high plateau of the Pennines, specifically the three peaks of Cross Fell, Little Dun Fell, and the distinctive radar dome on Great Dun Fell.
- •The ascent is typical of the North Pennine interior, requiring careful navigation through heather and peat hags, particularly when approaching from the remote B6277 road near Harwood.
- •In these parts, a 'Pike' usually suggests a sharp peak, but here the 'Rigg' does the heavy lifting, resulting in a summit that is less of a needle and more of a very high, very wet plateau.