High Pike (Scandale): 657m Height, Walks and Views

High Pike is a ridge fell with a clear place in the landscape: above Ambleside, between Scandale and Rydale, on the long southern arm of Dove Crag. At 657m, it is often crossed as part of the Fairfield Horseshoe rather than chosen as a destination in its own right. Its appeal lies in that continuity of high ground, the summit wall and the views south towards Windermere.

A wall-lined ridge above Ambleside

High Pike rises between Low Pike to the south and Dove Crag to the north. It belongs to a continuous ridge separating Rydale on the west from Scandale on the east, with Ambleside beyond its lower southern end. The summit stands at 657m, or 2,156ft, at grid reference NY374088. Its position makes it part of the enclosing skyline of both valleys, rather than an isolated summit.

A substantial dry-stone wall follows the ridge and is one of High Pike’s most recognisable features. Together with the rocky ground around the top, it gives the fell a more definite identity than its place on a longer walk might suggest. Looking south, the ridge drops towards Low Pike and Ambleside, with Windermere beyond. To the north, higher ground continues towards Dove Crag; across Rydale, the opposite arm of the Fairfield Horseshoe helps explain the shape of the surrounding country.

High Pike in the Eastern Fells

Wainwright included High Pike in The Eastern Fells, the first book of his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. It ranks 108th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. The qualifier ‘Scandale’ distinguishes it from the other Wainwright called High Pike, above Caldbeck in the Northern Fells: these are separate summits in quite different parts of Lakeland.

Low Pike and Dove Crag are its immediate neighbours along the ridge. Little Hart Crag lies across Scandale, while Hart Crag is part of the higher ground beyond Dove Crag. These relationships are useful when reading the map: High Pike sits on the approach to the larger eastern summits, but still has its own outlook over the lower valleys and Windermere.

Its place on the Fairfield Horseshoe

High Pike’s best-known walking connection is the Fairfield Horseshoe, the established circuit of the fells around Rydale. The usual round includes both High Pike and Low Pike on its eastern arm, with Fairfield at the head of the valley. Many walkers therefore encounter the summit as one stage of a much longer day.

It also belongs naturally in shorter walks linking the ridge with the country around Scandale. Its proximity to Ambleside should not obscure the distinction between a lower starting point and exposed fell ground: choosing a walk here still means considering distance, ascent, weather and navigation, rather than summit height alone.

Where High Pike (Scandale) stands

Summit at grid reference NY374088 · open full map

The real High Pike (Scandale)

Walking High Pike (Scandale)

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

• Guide links to be curated.

Weather on High Pike (Scandale)

Conditions estimated at summit height (657 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

High Pike (Scandale) on your wall

A painting of High Pike can hold the quieter details of a familiar fell day: the wall along the ridge, rocky ground under changing light, and Windermere in the distance. On a wall at home, those recognisable shapes keep a connection with the country above Ambleside.

Own “High Pike Ridge Stone Wall” — our painting of High Pike (Scandale) → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Eastern Fells

• Low Pike 508 m
• Dove Crag 792 m
• Little Hart Crag 637 m
• Hart Crag 823 m

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