Low Pike: 508m Height, Walks and Views near Ambleside

Low Pike is the rocky southern end of the ridge that rises towards High Pike and Dove Crag above Ambleside. At 508m, it is one of the lower summits on the Fairfield Horseshoe, but its craggy character gives it more presence than its height suggests. Walkers know it both as a worthwhile shorter outing and as part of one of Lakeland’s best-known circuits.

A rocky summit between two valleys

Low Pike stands north of Ambleside, on the ridge dividing Scandale to the east from the valley of Rydal Beck to the west. Its summit is a small, rocky rise rather than a broad grassy crown. A stone wall follows the ridge, giving a strong line through the broken ground and linking Low Pike visually with the higher fells beyond.

At 508m (1,667ft), this is not a high fell by Lakeland standards. Its appeal lies partly in that contrast: a modest elevation, but rough rock, steep flanks and a clear sense of being on a mountain ridge. The summit is recorded at grid reference NY373078.

In clear weather, the outlook south takes in Windermere, while the surrounding ridges give the view its shape. Across the Rydal valley are Nab Scar and Heron Pike; northwards, the ground rises towards High Pike and Dove Crag. Those higher neighbours limit the northern panorama, but make the fell’s position within the wider landscape easy to understand.

Low Pike in the Eastern Fells

Alfred Wainwright included Low Pike in The Eastern Fells, the first book of his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. It ranks 171st by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its immediate higher neighbour is High Pike, sometimes identified as High Pike (Scandale) to distinguish it from the fell of the same name in the Northern Fells.

Low Pike belongs to the southern approaches to the Fairfield group. It is a useful place to see how this part of the Eastern Fells fits together: two long ridges enclose the Rydal Beck catchment, with Fairfield at their head. Low Pike occupies the lower part of the eastern ridge, opposite the slopes of Nab Scar and Heron Pike.

Walking and the Fairfield Horseshoe

Low Pike’s best-known walking connection is the Fairfield Horseshoe, the established circuit of eight Wainwright summits above Rydal and Ambleside. On that longer round, its comparatively low summit can be overshadowed by Fairfield and the higher ridge. Taken as a shorter objective, however, its rocky detail and valley views have more room to register.

Its proximity to Ambleside should not be confused with an entirely easy walk. The ridge has rough, rocky ground, and wet conditions demand care. Dedicated walking guides provide the route choices and practical details needed for either a shorter outing or the full horseshoe.

Where Low Pike stands

Summit at grid reference NY373078 · open full map

The real Low Pike

Walking Low Pike

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

• Guide links to be curated.

Weather on Low Pike

Conditions estimated at summit height (508 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Low Pike on your wall

A painting of Low Pike can bring back the quieter details of a day above Ambleside: the wall along the ridge, the broken rock and Windermere beyond. As a print or canvas, it is a familiar piece of fell country to live with between walks.

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

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Eastern Fells

• High Pike (Scandale) 657 m
• Dove Crag 792 m
• Heron Pike 612 m
• Nab Scar 450 m

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