# Low Pike

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Mountain in Cumbria, England

Low Pike Low Pike seen from High Pike, one kilometre to the north. Ambleside and Windermere lake are in the background. Highest point Elevation 508 m (1,667 ft) Prominence 28 m (92 ft) Parent peak Dove Crag Listing Wainwright Coordinates 54°27′39″N 2°58′07″W / 54.46079°N 2.96874°W / 54.46079; -2.96874 Geography Low Pike Location in Lake District, UK Location Cumbria, England Parent range Lake District, Eastern Fells OS grid NY373077 Topo map OS Landranger 90 OS Explorer 7

**Low Pike** is a small [fell](/source/Fell) in the [English](/source/England) [Lake District](/source/Lake_District). It has a modest height of 508 m (1,667 ft) and is situated three kilometres north of [Ambleside](/source/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](/source/Fairfield_(Lake_District)). This ridge is part of the [Fairfield horseshoe](/source/Fairfield_horseshoe) walk and Low Pike is most commonly ascended as part of this.

## Topography

Despite its modest height, [Alfred Wainwright](/source/Alfred_Wainwright) gave Low Pike a separate chapter in his *[Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Hill_lists_in_the_British_Isles).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Low Pike from the descent from High Pike.

## Geology

The crest of the ridge consists of the [dacitic](/source/Dacite) welded [lapilli tuff](/source/Lapilli_tuff) of the Lincomb Tarns Formation. [Andesite](/source/Andesite) sills surround this.[1]

## 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](/source/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](/source/Cumbria) [Packhorse bridge](/source/Packhorse_bridge). It has no direct [Scandinavian](/source/Scandinavia) connection except that its name comes from the [Norse](/source/Old_Norse_language) 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](/source/High_Pike_(Scandale)), [Dove Crag](/source/Dove_Crag), [Hart Crag](/source/Hart_Crag), Fairfield, [Great Rigg](/source/Great_Rigg) and [Heron Pike](/source/Heron_Pike)–before returning to Ambleside.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## 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](/source/Great_Langdale) and [Coniston](/source/Furness_Fells) fells show well over the low ground at the head of [Windermere](/source/Windermere); there is also a good aerial view of Ambleside and the head of Windermere lake.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Low Pike (Scandale)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Low_Pike_(Scandale)).

- A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, Eastern Fells, Alfred Wainwright, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7112-2454-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7112-2454-4)

- Complete Lakeland Fells, Bill Birkett, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-00-713629-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-00-713629-3)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BGS_1-0)** [British Geological Survey](/source/British_Geological_Survey): 1:50,000 series maps, *England & Wales Sheet 38*: BGS (1998)

v t e Wainwright's Eastern Fells Arnison Crag Birkhouse Moor Birks Catstycam (Catstye Cam) Clough Head Dollywaggon Pike Dove Crag Fairfield Glenridding Dodd Gowbarrow Fell Great Dodd Great Mell Fell Great Rigg Hart Crag Hart Side Hartsop above How Helvellyn Heron Pike High Hartsop Dodd High Pike Little Hart Crag Little Mell Fell Low Pike Middle Dodd Nab Scar Nethermost Pike Raise Red Screes Seat Sandal Sheffield Pike St Sunday Crag Stone Arthur Stybarrow Dodd Watson's Dodd White Side Full list of Wainwrights by area

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Low Pike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Pike) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Pike?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.