Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

Low Pike

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Listing
  
Wainwright

OS grid
  
NY373077

Prominence
  
28 m

Parent range
  
Eastern Fells

Location
  
Cumbria, England

Elevation
  
508 m

Parent peak
  
Dove Crag

Low Pike httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Topo map
  
OS Landranger 90 OS Explorer 7

Mountain range
  
Lake District, Eastern Fells

Similar
  
High Pike, Nab Scar, Great Rigg, Dove Crag, Heron Pike

Wainwright fells low pike high pike dove crag hart crag fairfield little hart crag


Low Pike is a small fell in the English Lake District. It has a modest height of 508 m (1,667 ft) and is situated three kilometres north of Ambleside. Low Pike is well seen from the streets of the town as the first prominent fell on the ridge which continues northwards for a further four kilometres to Fairfield. This ridge is part of the Fairfield horseshoe walk and Low Pike is most commonly ascended as part of this.

Contents

Map of Low Pike, Ambleside, UK

Topography

Despite its modest height, Alfred Wainwright gave Low Pike a separate chapter in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells because "it is sufficiently elevated above the deep valleys of Scandale and Rydale to give an impression of loftiness which exaggerates its modest altitude." Bill Birkett also mentions the fell in his “Complete Lakeland Fells”, but its altitude is not sufficient to be noted on any other mountain lists.

Geology

The crest of the ridge consists of the dacitic welded lapilli-tuff of the Lincomb Tarns Formation. Andesite sills surround this.

Ascents

The direct ascent from Ambleside is straightforward. A signpost points to Low Sweden Bridge from the centre of Ambleside; after reaching the bridge and crossing the Scandale Beck a high dry-stone wall is followed for two kilometres along the spine of the ridge to reach the summit. A visit to High Sweden Bridge may be incorporated at the start of this walk; it is a typical Cumbrian Packhorse bridge. It has no direct Scandinavian connection except that its name comes from the Norse word ‘svithinn’ which means “land cleared by burning”. Most walkers who climb Low Pike continue to the adjoining fells of the Fairfield Horseshoe–High Pike, Dove Crag, Hart Crag, Fairfield, Great Rigg and Heron Pike–before returning to Ambleside.

Summit

The top of the fell is a small rocky peak which requires a bit of scrambling; the stone wall goes directly over the peak giving no room for a cairn of any size. The view is restricted by surrounding higher fells but the Langdale and Coniston fells show well over the low ground at the head of Windermere; there is also a good aerial view of Ambleside and the head of Windermere lake.

References

Low Pike Wikipedia