Pike of Blisco: 703m Height, Walks and Summit Views

Pike of Blisco stands above Great Langdale with a rocky summit that feels distinct from the longer ridges around it. At 703 metres, it is far from the highest Southern Fell, but its position gives it a generous outlook towards the Langdale Pikes, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags. Walkers value both its compact shape and the satisfying contrast between grassy slopes and the rough rock of its summit.

A rocky summit above Great Langdale

Pike of Blisco rises south of Great Langdale and north of Wrynose Pass, occupying a prominent position between two very different approaches to the central fells. From Langdale, its steep slopes and broken upper rocks give it a substantial presence. From the higher ground around Wrynose, the distance to the summit is shorter, though the rocky terrain still deserves attention.

The summit is not a smooth grassy dome. Rock outcrops and a cleft between its summit tops give the highest ground a distinctive, rugged character. This is part of its appeal: a relatively compact fell with a top that feels properly mountainous. Its outline is readily picked out from the valley, rather than disappearing into a continuous ridge.

Red Tarn lies below its western side, in the hollow between Pike of Blisco and Cold Pike. Together, the tarn, surrounding slopes and nearby Crinkle Crags make a clear geographical link between this individual summit and the more extensive high ground to the west.

Pike of Blisco in the Southern Fells

Alfred Wainwright included Pike of Blisco in Book Four of his Pictorial Guide, The Southern Fells. Its recorded height is 703 metres, or 2,306 feet, placing it 86th among the 214 Wainwrights. The summit grid reference is NY271042.

Nearby Wainwrights include Cold Pike, Crinkle Crags, Great Carrs and Swirl How. These neighbours place it at a meeting point between the Langdale fells and the northern end of the Coniston group. Pike of Blisco can be enjoyed as a summit in its own right, while Cold Pike is a natural companion for a longer outing.

Views and walking character

The outlook across Great Langdale towards the Langdale Pikes is one of the strongest reasons to climb it. Bowfell and Crinkle Crags add a close view of larger, rougher fells, making the summit a useful place to understand the shape of the surrounding country.

Established walks approach from Great Langdale and from Wrynose Pass. Their starting heights differ considerably, so the fell's modest elevation alone is not a useful measure of the day's effort. Rocky ground, steep sections and exposed weather all matter. In mist, the broken summit terrain calls for careful navigation; dedicated route guides and a map are better companions than a summit description.

Where Pike of Blisco stands

Summit at grid reference NY271042 · open full map

The real Pike of Blisco

Walking Pike of Blisco

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

• Guide links to be curated.

Weather on Pike of Blisco

Conditions estimated at summit height (703 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Pike of Blisco on your wall

Pike of Blisco has a recognisable shape: rough summit rock above broad slopes, with the larger Langdale fells close at hand. A painting of it can bring that familiar geography home, recalling a day above Red Tarn or the view from the dale.

Own “Pike of Blisco Sunlit Summit” — our painting of Pike of Blisco → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Southern Fells

• Cold Pike 700 m
• Great Carrs 785 m
• Swirl How 802 m
• Crinkle Crags 859 m

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