Bonscale Pike: 524m Height, Walks and Ullswater Views

Bonscale Pike rises above Howtown on the eastern side of Ullswater, its steep lake-facing slopes giving it more presence than its 524-metre height might suggest. Behind that firm outline, the ground opens towards the broader uplands of the Far Eastern Fells. Walkers come for the outlook over Ullswater and the distinctive stone cairns known as Bonscale Towers, which give this modest Wainwright a character of its own.

A distinct edge above Ullswater

Bonscale Pike is a fell of contrasting sides. Seen from the Ullswater valley, it has a steep, clearly defined face above Howtown; inland, it belongs to the broader sweep of high ground extending from Loadpot Hill. That relationship helps explain its appeal. It is not an isolated mountain, but a recognisable viewpoint on the edge of a much larger upland, where open fell meets the more enclosed landscape around the lake.

At 524 metres, or 1,719 feet, it ranks 160th among the 214 Wainwrights. Its summit grid reference is NY453200. Height alone, though, is a poor measure of what a walker finds here. The position above Ullswater gives the fell an outlook that depends as much on the steep drop towards the valley as on its elevation. Lake, wooded lower slopes and surrounding fells all contribute to the scene.

Bonscale Towers and the lake views

The fell's best-known features are Bonscale Towers, two conspicuous stone-built cairns on its western side. These are separate features rather than a single summit marker, and their upright forms make a distinctive foreground to views over Ullswater. They are worth distinguishing from the summit itself: the towers are the memorable landmark, while the fell's highest point supplies its recorded height.

Ullswater is central to Bonscale Pike's identity. The view takes in the lake and its enclosing fells, with Hallin Fell nearby above Howtown. This is a landscape of overlapping ridges and interrupted shorelines rather than one simple open basin. Looking inland brings a different impression, with the broader, grassier ground towards Loadpot Hill showing how closely Bonscale Pike is connected to the Far Eastern uplands.

Its place among the Far Eastern Fells

Bonscale Pike appears in Book Two of Alfred Wainwright's pictorial guides, The Far Eastern Fells. It lies towards the northern end of that region. Neighbouring Wainwrights include Arthur's Pike, Loadpot Hill, Steel Knotts and Wether Hill, placing it within a varied group of lake-facing tops and broader upland summits.

Arthur's Pike is a natural companion when considering walks in this corner of the Lakes, while Loadpot Hill connects the area with longer outings across the higher ground. Bonscale Pike can therefore be appreciated both as a destination in its own right and as part of a wider fell day. Its particular contribution is the meeting of open upland, distinctive cairns and the close presence of Ullswater.

Where Bonscale Pike stands

Summit at grid reference NY453200 · open full map

The real Bonscale Pike

Walking Bonscale Pike

We make artwork, not route guides — these are the guides we'd point a friend to:

• Guide links to be curated.

Weather on Bonscale Pike

Conditions estimated at summit height (524 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Bonscale Pike on your wall

A painting of Bonscale Pike can bring home something very particular about Ullswater: the steep fell edge, the stone towers and the quieter uplands behind. As a print or canvas, that familiar outline offers a lasting connection to days spent above Howtown.

Own “Vibrant Shadows on Bonscale Pike” — our painting of Bonscale Pike → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Far Eastern Fells

• Arthur's Pike 533 m
• Loadpot Hill 672 m
• Steel Knotts 432 m
• Wether Hill 672 m

Part of our guide to all 214 Wainwrights — see the full index.