Outerside: 568m Height, Walks and North Western Views

Outerside stands above Coledale, a compact, rough-sided fell whose 568m summit offers a close look at some much larger neighbours. Grisedale Pike and the Causey Pike–Scar Crags ridge give its surroundings real substance, while nearby Barrow makes a natural walking companion. It is easy to overlook Outerside when planning a longer round, but its distinct summit and position within the North Western Fells reward attention.

A distinct summit above Coledale

Outerside rises on the southern side of Coledale, west of Braithwaite. Its summit reaches 568m, or 1,864ft, at grid reference NY211214. Although modest beside the higher fells at the head of the valley, it has a clearly defined top rather than being simply a shoulder on a larger ridge. Heather, grass and patches of exposed stone give the fell a rougher character than its height might suggest.

The outlook is particularly good for understanding the surrounding fell country. Grisedale Pike stands across Coledale, while the higher ground around Hopegill Head, Crag Hill and Sail encloses the valley to the west. Causey Pike and Scar Crags form another strong ridge to the south. Looking towards Braithwaite, the country opens out, with the Skiddaw massif beyond. Much of the interest lies in these close relationships: ridges and valley sides seen from within the group, rather than from a distant viewpoint.

Walks from Braithwaite and the Coledale round

Braithwaite is a familiar starting point for walks taking in Outerside. The fell is often combined with Barrow, with the intervening top of Stile End forming part of the same patch of walking country. Stile End is not a separate Wainwright, but it is a useful name to recognise when comparing maps and walk descriptions.

Outerside also appears in variations of the Coledale Horseshoe, the well-known round of fells surrounding the valley. There is no single compulsory version of that walk, and not every itinerary includes it. Its position allows it to feature either in a shorter outing among the lower tops or as an addition to a more demanding day on the surrounding ridges. The modest summit height should not be confused with easy conditions: wet ground, wind and poor visibility remain relevant here.

Outerside in the Wainwright collection

Outerside belongs to Alfred Wainwright’s The North Western Fells, Book Six of his seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. It ranks 142nd by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its appeal is less about a single celebrated feature than its place in the Coledale landscape.

For walkers collecting the Wainwrights, this is a summit worth considering in its own right, not merely an extra tick beside Barrow. The contrast between its compact top and the larger ridges around it is central to its character.

Where Outerside stands

Summit at grid reference NY211214 · open full map

The real Outerside

Walking Outerside

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

• 3768 Stile End – Hill Bagging (hill-bagging.co.uk)
• Routes (lakedistrict.getanchor.io)
• Causey Pike, Scar Crags, Outerside & Barrow (lakesandmountains.uk)

Weather on Outerside

Conditions estimated at summit height (568 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Outerside on your wall

A painting of Outerside can recall the quieter parts of a Coledale walk: heather underfoot, a rough summit and familiar ridges across the valley. As a print or canvas at home, that view holds meaning beyond the height of the fell itself.

Own “Outerside Peak and Winding Track” — our painting of Outerside → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The North Western Fells

• Scar Crags 672 m
• Causey Pike 637 m
• Ard Crags 581 m
• Grisedale Pike 790 m

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