Whiteside: 707m Height, Ridge Walks and Lakeland Views

Whiteside rises above the northern end of Crummock Water, with steep, craggy slopes and a long ridge reaching east towards Hopegill Head. At 707m, its Wainwright summit offers a fine contrast between the open country to the west and the higher fells close behind. Walkers value it both for that outlook and for the rocky ridge that makes it much more than a summit stop.

A steep face above Crummock Water

Whiteside stands on the western edge of the North Western Fells, immediately north of Grasmoor. Gasgale Gill cuts between the two, giving Whiteside a sharply defined southern flank. Seen from the Crummock Water side, the fell presents steep slopes and broken crags rather than the gentler outline its name might suggest. Its long eastward ridge is the feature that gives the mountain its particular character.

The Wainwright summit is the western top, recorded at 707m (2,320ft), with grid reference NY170219. Its position towards the outer edge of the fell group gives walkers an open outlook over Lorton Vale and the country beyond. Turn east and the view changes: the ridge draws the eye towards Hopegill Head, while Grasmoor occupies much of the skyline to the south.

Whiteside in the North Western Fells

Whiteside appears in Book Six of Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, The North Western Fells. It ranks 84th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its immediate ridge connection is with Hopegill Head; Grasmoor, Whiteless Pike and Rannerdale Knotts are other neighbouring Wainwrights in the country around Crummock Water.

This is a useful fell for understanding the shape of the western Lakes. The lower ground of Lorton Vale lies on one side, while a closely connected group of high ridges and summits rises on the other. Whiteside belongs firmly to that higher ground, yet its western position keeps the outlook broad. In clear conditions, views extend towards the coast and across the Solway Firth to the Scottish hills.

The ridge towards Hopegill Head

The ridge linking Whiteside with Hopegill Head is its best-known walking feature. Rocky and narrow in places, it offers a sustained sense of height above the surrounding valleys. Gasgale Gill lies below its southern side, and the changing perspective along the crest reveals more of the structure of the neighbouring fells.

This is mountain terrain rather than an easy promenade: exposed sections and uneven rock deserve care, particularly in strong winds, poor visibility or winter conditions. Whiteside can be the focus of a walk in its own right or part of a longer outing among the North Western Fells. For route choices, timings and practical details, consult a dedicated walking guide and an up-to-date map.

Where Whiteside stands

Summit at grid reference NY170219 · open full map

The real Whiteside

Walking Whiteside

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

• Hopegill Head and Whiteside (wainwrightwalking.co.uk)
• Walks in the Lake District (where2walk.co.uk)
• Whiteside East Top (walklakes.co.uk)

Weather on Whiteside

Conditions estimated at summit height (707 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Whiteside on your wall

A painting of Whiteside can bring that familiar contrast home: the dark crags above Gasgale Gill, the long ridge and the open western sky. As a print or canvas, it offers a quiet reminder of a fell whose character extends well beyond its summit.

Own “Sunlight on Whiteside Ridge” — our painting of Whiteside → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The North Western Fells

• Grasmoor 852 m
• Hopegill Head 770 m
• Whiteless Pike 660 m
• Rannerdale Knotts 355 m

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