Causey Pike facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Causey Pike |
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Causey Pike with its distinctive bump
seen from Derwentwater |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 637 m (2,090 ft) |
| Prominence | 40 m (130 ft) |
| Parent peak | Scar Crags |
| Listing | Hewitt, Nuttall, Wainwright |
| Geography | |
 Causey Pike
Location in Lake District
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| Location | Cumbria, England |
| Parent range | Lake District, North Western Fells |
| OS grid | NY218208 |
| Topo map | OS Landrangers 89, 90, Explorer OL4 |
Causey Pike is a mountain, also known as a fell, located in the beautiful Lake District in England. It's found in the Newlands Valley, which is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) southwest of the town of Keswick.
Even though Causey Pike is not the tallest mountain, standing at 637 meters (2,090 feet) high, it's very easy to spot! When you look at it from Derwent Water or the Keswick area, you'll notice its special "knobble" or bump at the very top. This unique shape makes it stand out. Causey Pike is one of the 214 fells described by Alfred Wainwright in his famous Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells books. It's featured in Book Six, which covers The North Western Fells.
Contents
Where is Causey Pike?
The North Western Fells are a group of hills found between two rivers, the Derwent and the Cocker. This area is shaped like an oval, stretching from north to south. Two main roads cut across this area, dividing the fells into three sections. Causey Pike is in the middle section, located between Whinlatter Pass and Newlands Pass.
The highest part of the North Western Fells is a ridge that goes from east to west. This ridge starts with Grasmoor and then slowly gets lower as it goes over Crag Hill, Sail, Scar Crags, and finally Causey Pike.
Causey Pike is separated from other fells like Barrow and Outerside by a stream called Stonycroft Gill. To the south, across Rigg Beck, is Ard Crags. Causey Pike also has a long, rounded shoulder that stretches east towards the Newlands Valley, ending sharply at a point called Rowling End.
What is Causey Pike Made Of?
Causey Pike is made from very old rocks. These rocks were formed during a time called the Ordovician period, which was hundreds of millions of years ago!
The top ridge and the northern slopes of the mountain are made of a type of rock called Kirkstile Formation. This rock is a mix of layered mudstone and siltstone. The distinctive "knobble" at the summit and the southern slopes are made of a different type of rock called Buttermere Formation. This rock is a jumbled mix of mudstone, siltstone, and sandstone. The eastern part of the mountain and Rowling End also show large pieces of greywacke sandstone.
How to Climb Causey Pike
Climbing Causey Pike is a popular activity! Most people start their climb from the Newlands Valley at a place called Stonycroft, where you can park your car.
There are a couple of ways to get to the top:
- The Direct Route: This path is quite steep at the beginning and near the end. The middle part is a bit easier. The last 20 meters (about 65 feet) to the summit is a fun, rocky scramble, so be ready to use your hands!
- The Easier Route: If you prefer a less steep climb, you can take an older track from Stonycroft. This track used to lead to a cobalt mine on the slopes of Scar Crags. This route takes you "around the back" of Causey Pike. You'll reach Sail Pass and then cross over the summit of Scar Crags before reaching Causey Pike.
Causey Pike is also part of a longer, more challenging walk called the Coledale Round. This walk is usually started from the village of Braithwaite, west of Keswick, but you can also start it in the Newlands Valley. The Coledale Round is a big adventure that includes climbing several other fells like Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head, Grasmoor, Eel Crag, Sail, and Scar Crags. It's an 11-mile (18-kilometer) walk with over 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) of climbing, so it's a real workout!
The Summit of Causey Pike
The very top of Causey Pike is quite special. It's a narrow ridge with the highest point being the famous "knobble." But there are also four other smaller bumps nearby that are almost as high.
Sometimes, people find fossils in the rocky slopes around the summit. These can include trilobites (ancient sea creatures), trace fossils (marks left by living things), and graptolites (tiny colonial animals). Finding them is rare, but it's a cool discovery!
From the summit, you get amazing views all around. You can see Derwent Water, the beautiful Newlands Valley, and other famous mountains like Skiddaw, Blencathra, and the Helvellyn range.
Causey Pike Fell Race
There's an exciting event called the Causey Pike fell race that happens every year in March. This race starts and finishes in the Newlands Valley. It's about 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) long and involves climbing 542 meters (1,780 feet) up the mountain. In 2005, the winner finished the race in just 32 minutes and 51 seconds!
