Side Pike

GR: NY29308 05370 Height: 1188′ 362m

Summary: Side Pike which is located in Great Langdale does not appear in any of Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides, it was a fell that he considered for inclusion as he listed it on both his first and second draft lists, possibly due to the fact that the fell was a named and measured height on his 1 inch O.S. and Bartholomew maps. The height given at that time was 1187′. However, Side Pike was omitted from the Pictorial Guides for possibly a couple of reasons, firstly, whilst the “pike” does have a pronounced summit  which is attractive from many angles and is a great location for admiring the reaches of upper Great Langdale, it has little else going for it in the way of routes of ascent or points of interest. Secondly, when writing the fouth Pictorial Guide- The Southern Fells, Wainwright mentions that the book is full to capacity so every fell chapter had to earn it’s place. It can be seen that in the Lingmoor Fell chapter (pages 3 and 4) Side Pike is really a protuberance on the  western ridge of that fell and was easily covered in that chapter.

Topographical details: The height has now been recalculated as 1188′ 362m with the summit GR: NY29308 05370 which is marked by a rock platform and can be classed as the Wainwright summit. Any small cairn that sits on this rock is not a permanent feature but there is a larger cairn close by on a lower level.

Points of interest: It is well worth ascending on a fine day in late summer when the heather is in full bloom, the views of Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell and the Langdale Pikes are impressive. On the eastern side of Side Pike is a rock feature known as “The Squeeze” or “Fat Man’s Agony”, a large vertical flake of rock which is separated from the fell’s rock face by a small gap (see illustration above). Wainwright didn’t know of this feature when writing the book so it is not mentioned in his original guide. The reason for this is possibly that from the route he shows in the chapter the pillar of rock was not distinguishable from the crag and there was no path to it.  The revised guide by Chris Jesty also omits this now well known feature. A warning though, the gap is narrow and lives up to it’s name, it can be bypassed with a little effort. The nearby Blea Tarn is a delightful location.

Tarns: Blea Tarn

Waterfalls: none

Adjoining fells: Lingmoor fell to the south-east is reached by a ridge.

Nearest facilities: Car parking at The Old Dungeon Ghyll (NT) or at Blea Tarn Car Park (NT) Food, pub and acommodation at The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel NT campsite at foot of fell in Great Langdale. 

Star rating: [usr 2] Rating is given on the fell’s prime location and views. Include Side Pike and Lingmoor Fell together on a walk to make a more interesting and enjoyable outing.

Check walks on this fell: 

8/9/15 Wildcamp on Lingmoor Fell

29/5/11 Lingmoor Fell

25/11/07 Lingmoor Fell and Side Pike

Back to The Lakeland 365 area map.