Ullock Pike: Height, Ridge Walks and Skiddaw Views
Ullock Pike gives the Skiddaw massif one of its most distinctive profiles: a pointed fell above Bassenthwaite Lake, joined to higher ground by a narrow ridge. At 690.4m, it is considerably lower than Skiddaw, but its position makes it a rewarding summit in its own right. Walkers value the sustained ridge walking, the open western outlook and the close connection with Long Side and Carl Side.
Ullock Pike at a glance
How high is Ullock Pike? Ullock Pike is 690 metres (2,265 feet) high, the 96th highest of the 214 Wainwrights.
| Height | 690 m (2265 ft) — 96 of the 214 Wainwrights |
|---|---|
| Wainwright book | Book 5: The Northern Fells |
| OS grid reference | NY244287 |
| Region | Northern Fells |
A pointed summit above Bassenthwaite
Ullock Pike stands on the north-western side of the Skiddaw massif, with Bassenthwaite Lake below to the west. Its steep flanks and sharply defined skyline give it a character quite different from Skiddaw’s broad upper slopes. The summit reaches 690.4m, or 2,265ft, at grid reference NY244287. Seen from the Bassenthwaite side, the pike is a clear landmark on the edge of the higher fells.
The northern approach ridge is known as The Edge. Beyond Ullock Pike, the crest continues towards Long Side and Carl Side, making the summit part of a connected sweep of high ground rather than an isolated top. Southerndale lies to the east of this ridge, separating it from the main bulk of Skiddaw. That valley helps make the ridge’s shape especially clear.
Ullock Pike in the Northern Fells
Alfred Wainwright included Ullock Pike in Book Five of his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, The Northern Fells. It ranks 96th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its neighbouring Wainwright summits include Long Side, Carl Side, Dodd and Skiddaw, placing it within a compact group of fells overlooking the northern end of the central Lake District.
Long Side is its immediate companion along the ridge, while Carl Side links that ridge with the slopes below Skiddaw. Dodd stands lower to the south-west, its wooded slopes contrasting with the open ground above. These relationships explain why Ullock Pike is often visited with other summits. Even on a longer outing, however, its pointed form and lakeside position give it an identity separate from the higher fells behind it.
Ridge walking and western views
Ullock Pike is particularly well known as part of the ridge approach to Skiddaw over Long Side and Carl Side. The appeal is the ridge itself: a clearly defined crest, steep ground on either side and changing views as the surrounding fells overlap. It offers a different character from the broad paths commonly associated with Skiddaw.
Bassenthwaite Lake is a principal feature of the outlook, with the north-western fells beyond. Looking inland brings the structure of the Skiddaw massif into focus, particularly the relationship between the ridge and Southerndale. For detailed walking information, use a dedicated route guide and current conditions alongside a map; this is exposed fell terrain rather than a sheltered lakeside walk.
Where Ullock Pike stands
Summit at grid reference NY244287 · open full map
The real Ullock Pike
Walking Ullock Pike
We make artwork, not route guides — these are the guides we'd point a friend to:
- Guide links to be curated.
Weather on Ullock Pike
Conditions estimated at summit height (690 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.
Ullock Pike on your wall
Ullock Pike’s pointed profile and the long ridge towards Long Side make a recognisable subject for the wall. A fine art print can bring back the shape of a familiar walk: Bassenthwaite below, open fell ahead and Skiddaw rising beyond the crest.
Own “Ullock Pike Over Sunlit Fields” — our painting of Ullock Pike → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork
Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Northern Fells
Part of our guide to all 214 Wainwrights — see the full index.