Heron Pike: Height (612m), Walks and Views over Rydal

Heron Pike rises to 612m between Grasmere and the Rydal valley, forming part of the western ridge of the Fairfield Horseshoe. It is often crossed on the way to higher ground, but its position deserves attention in its own right. Rocky outcrops give the ridge character, while the outlook towards the southern lakes offers a different perspective from the higher, more enclosed reaches of the horseshoe.

A ridge above Grasmere and Rydal

Heron Pike is best understood as part of a long ridge rather than an isolated summit. Nab Scar lies to the south, while the ridge continues north towards Great Rigg and Fairfield. To the west is the Grasmere valley; to the east, the ground falls into the Rydal valley. This position gives the fell a strong sense of connection with both the inhabited valleys below and the higher Eastern Fells beyond.

The upper ground combines grass with exposed rock and small crags. From the ridge, the southern outlook takes in the country around Rydal Water and Windermere, while Grasmere lies below to the west. Looking north brings the rising ridge and Fairfield into prominence. The contrast is part of Heron Pike’s appeal: lakes and wooded lower slopes in one direction, increasingly high and open fell country in the other.

Heron Pike in the Eastern Fells

At 612m (2,008ft), Heron Pike ranks 127th among the 214 Wainwrights. It appears in The Eastern Fells, the first book of Alfred Wainwright’s seven-volume pictorial guide. Its summit grid reference is NY355083. Although it is considerably lower than Fairfield, its place on the southern end of that fell’s western ridge makes it a recognisable part of the group.

Nearby Wainwrights include Nab Scar, Great Rigg, Stone Arthur and Low Pike, but they occupy different parts of the surrounding landscape. Nab Scar and Great Rigg share Heron Pike’s ridge. Stone Arthur stands on a spur descending towards Grasmere, while Low Pike belongs to the opposite side of the Rydal valley. These relationships help explain the shape of the Fairfield group when seen from below.

Its place on the Fairfield Horseshoe

Heron Pike’s best-known walking association is the Fairfield Horseshoe, the established circuit of high ground around the Rydal valley. It forms part of the western arm, opposite the ridge containing Dove Crag, High Pike and Low Pike. For many walkers, Heron Pike is therefore one summit within a much longer mountain day rather than the sole destination.

That should not make it an afterthought. Its lower position gives the lakes and valleys a prominence they lose on the higher summits. It also remains open fell terrain: cloud, wind and wet rock can change the character of a walk here, despite the proximity of Grasmere and Rydal.

Where Heron Pike stands

Summit at grid reference NY355083 · open full map

The real Heron Pike

Walking Heron Pike

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

• 2573 Heron Pike (Rydal) – Hill Bagging (hill-bagging.co.uk)
• Heron Pike and Alcock Tarn (loweswatercam.co.uk)
• Walk Stone Arthur in The Lake District Eastern Fells (go4awalk.com)

Weather on Heron Pike

Conditions estimated at summit height (612 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Heron Pike on your wall

A painting of Heron Pike can recall more than a summit reached: the ridge above Rydal, the changing light over Grasmere, or a day on the Fairfield Horseshoe. On a wall at home, that familiar outline gives a lasting place to a landscape you know on foot.

Own “Sunlit Ridge from Heron Pike” — our painting of Heron Pike → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Eastern Fells

• Nab Scar 450 m
• Stone Arthur 504 m
• Great Rigg 766 m
• Low Pike 508 m

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