High Pike (Scandale)

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High Pike

Looking up to High Pike from Low Pike.
Elevation 656 m (2152 ft)
Location Cumbria, Flag of England England
Range Lake District Eastern Fells
Prominence c 5 m
Topo map OS Landranger 90 OS Explorer 7
OS grid reference NY373088
Listing Wainwright

High Pike is a fell in the English Lake District, located five kilometres north of Ambleside, it is an impressive sight when viewed from the south around High Sweden bridge near Ambleside, it has the look of a remote peak standing alone with cliffs falling away from the summit on its eastern side. However in reality it is just a slight rise on the long southern ridge of Dove Crag with only about five metres of prominence which prevents it even qualifying as a “Nuttall”, nevertheless both Alfred Wainwright and Bill Birkett mention the fell in their books on the Lakeland Fells. High Pike reaches a height of 656 metres (2152 feet), it is sometimes referred to as Scandale Fell, although this name really only applies to the high ground at the head of Scandale. The fell is not to be confused with another Lake District High Pike located in the Caldbeck Fells.

High Pike is often climbed as part of the Fairfield horseshoe walk, the ascent from Ambleside leaves the centre of the town northerly and goes by Low Sweden Bridge to reach the open fell where a sizeable dry stone wall is followed firstly over Low Pike and then down to a depression at 480 metres before climbing to the flat grassy summit of High Pike with its cairn standing on the edge of crags overlooking Scandale. Much of the view from the top is curtailed by higher fells but there is a view of the High Street fells over the Scandale Pass and an excellent view of Ambleside and the head of Windermere.

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Looking over Low Pike to Ambleside and Windermere from High Pike summit.
Enlarge
Looking over Low Pike to Ambleside and Windermere from High Pike summit.