Wandope: 773.9m Height, Walks and Summit Views

Wandope is a fell of contrasts: a broad, grassy summit above the much steeper ground of Addacomb Hole. At 773.9m, it belongs firmly among the higher North Western Fells, though neighbouring Grasmoor and Crag Hill often draw more attention. Walkers commonly include it in a longer round from Buttermere, but its combination of open summit ground, corrie scenery and connections to Whiteless Pike gives it a character worth noticing in its own right.

A grassy summit above Addacomb Hole

Wandope stands in the Grasmoor group, north of Buttermere village. Its summit reaches 773.9m, or 2,539ft, at grid reference NY188197. The top is broad and grassy rather than a sharply defined rocky peak: the sort of place where the surrounding ridges help explain the landscape more clearly than the summit cairn alone.

The strongest contrast lies on its eastern side, where the ground falls into Addacomb Hole. This glacial corrie gives Wandope a considerably more rugged aspect than its gentle summit suggests. The relationship between the open upper slopes and the steep corrie is central to the fell’s character. It is a reminder that a rounded Lakeland top can have serious ground close beside it, particularly when cloud obscures the edge.

Wandope among the North Western Fells

Wandope appears in Alfred Wainwright’s Book Six, The North Western Fells, and ranks 50th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. It is part of a connected upland group rather than an isolated summit. Crag Hill lies to the north-east, while Whiteless Pike is linked to Wandope by Whiteless Edge to the south-west. Sail and Knott Rigg are other nearby Wainwrights, although they are not both direct ridge neighbours.

Those connections make Wandope a natural part of a multi-summit day. Walks from Buttermere often combine it with Whiteless Pike, and longer outings may take in Crag Hill or Grasmoor. The attraction is the continuity of high ground: several distinct summits can be understood as parts of the same landscape. Wandope is more than a name to collect between its neighbours, particularly when the corrie and connecting ridges are clear.

Views and walking character

The outlook takes in the surrounding North Western Fells and the mountain country around Buttermere. Grasmoor is a substantial nearby presence, while Crag Hill helps frame the view across the higher ground. Looking south brings the fells beyond Buttermere into the wider panorama. These close relationships are as rewarding as distant summit-spotting: Wandope offers a useful vantage point for understanding how this part of Lakeland fits together.

Its walking character is predominantly that of an open, high fell. The broad top offers little shelter, and navigation deserves attention in poor visibility. For choosing an approach, timings and terrain details, use a dedicated walking guide alongside an appropriate map rather than treating a summit description as route instructions.

Where Wandope stands

Summit at grid reference NY188197 · open full map

The real Wandope

Walking Wandope

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

• Grasmoor Walk: Explore Iconic Lake District Views and ... (paulbeal.com)
• Grasmoor, Wandope and Rannerdale Knotts (treksandtors.co)
• 10 Best trails near Grasmoor (alltrails.com)

Weather on Wandope

Conditions estimated at summit height (774 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Wandope on your wall

A painting of Wandope can bring back the quieter details of a day above Buttermere: the broad summit, the line of Whiteless Edge and shadow gathering in Addacomb Hole. A print or canvas gives those familiar shapes a lasting place at home.

Own “Sunlit Path up Wandope Ridge” — our painting of Wandope → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The North Western Fells

• Crag Hill 839 m
• Whiteless Pike 660 m
• Sail 773 m
• Knott Rigg 556 m

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