North Pennines
Tinside Rigg
624M
2047FT
About Tinside Rigg
Rising above the Eden Valley near Appleby-in-Westmorland, this broad Nuttall sits on the wild, peaty fringes of the North Pennines. It is a remote, often soggy moorland summit, best known for its proximity to the dramatic chasm of High Cup Nick and its location within the Warcop Training Area’s restricted boundaries.
Key Statistics
Rank
74th Highest in Region
Parent Range
North Pennines
Prominence
?
19.3m
Nearest Town
Westmorland and Furness
Geology
Tinside Rigg is built from layers of limestone and sandstone, reinforced by a hard, dark volcanic rock called the Great Whin Sill.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY775199
Latitude
54.5738°N
Longitude
2.3496°W
Did You Know?
- •The name combines 'Tinside' with the Old Norse 'rigg', meaning a back or spine of land, describing its position as a high shoulder extending from the main Pennine escarpment.
- •Access is a primary concern for visitors as the hill sits within the Warcop Training Area; walkers must check the Ministry of Defence firing programme, as the summit is only legally accessible on specific non-firing days.
- •The climb is frequently combined with a visit to the spectacular High Cup Nick, where the summit of Tinside Rigg provides an overlooked perspective of the 'Great Whin Sill' dolerite cliffs that form the famous horseshoe.
- •On a clear day, the summit offers a sprawling westward view across the Eden Valley towards the distant, jagged skyline of the Lake District fells, including the distinctive profile of Blencathra and the Helvellyn range.
- •Navigating the plateau requires a keen eye for 'hags'—deep, eroded peat trenches that can swallow a leg whole and turn a simple stroll into a muddy tactical assault.