Esk Pike facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Esk Pike |
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Esk Pike at Sunrise
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 885 m (2,904 ft) |
| Prominence | 105 m (344 ft) |
| Parent peak | Bowfell |
| Listing | Hewitt, Nuttall, Wainwright |
| Geography | |
 Esk Pike
Location in Lake District
Esk Pike
Location in Allerdale
Esk Pike
Location in the Borough of Copeland
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| Location | Cumbria, England |
| Parent range | Lake District, Southern Fells |
| OS grid | NY236074 |
| Topo map | OS Landrangers 89, 90, Explorer OL6 |
Esk Pike is a cool mountain, or 'fell' as they call them in England, found in the amazing Lake District. It's part of a big circle of hills that stand at the very top of a valley called Eskdale.
Contents
What Esk Pike Looks Like
The Southern Fells are home to some of England's highest land. These mountains form a giant horseshoe shape. It starts with Scafell and Scafell Pike in the west. Then, it curves around the north of Upper Eskdale to include Great End, Esk Pike, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags. Esk Pike is right at the head of the valley, but it's not the tallest of these fells.
Esk Hause: A Mountain Crossroads
To the north-west of Esk Pike, you'll find a wide, flat area called Esk Hause. This spot is like a crossroads for many important walking paths. The main path, called the 'true' Esk Hause, goes from Borrowdale to Eskdale. Another path, the 'false' Hause, runs from Langdale to Wasdale. It even passes a stone shelter where hikers can rest.
Many paths meet here, including ones that climb to the tops of Esk Pike and Allen Crags. There's also a popular route to Scafell Pike. Because so many paths come together, Esk Hause can be a bit confusing, especially when it's foggy! The main part of the River Esk starts flowing south from Esk Hause.
Ore Gap and Angle Tarn
South-east of Esk Pike's top is a mountain pass called Ore Gap. This gap separates Esk Pike from Bow Fell. The ground here is reddish because of a mineral called haematite. Some old climbing stories say that compasses might not work correctly here because of the red rock!
North of Ore Gap is Angle Tarn. A tarn is a small mountain lake. This round tarn sits in a bowl-shaped valley called a corrie, right below some cliffs called Hanging Knotts. Small trout live in its waters, which are about 50 feet deep.
The South Ridge
From the top of Esk Pike, a long ridge stretches southwards into the quiet area of Upper Eskdale. This ridge separates the River Esk from Lingcove Beck, a major stream that starts near Ore Gap. This ridge is about two miles long and has several rocky steps. It ends where the two streams meet at Lingcove Bridge.
Lingcove Bridge is an old Packhorse Bridge. It's a key spot for people coming from the south, especially when the Esk River is flowing fast after rain. The south ridge also has a few smaller peaks. These include Pike de Bield, Scar Lathing, and Throstlehow Crag. Scar Lathing looks very impressive with its steep cliffs above a bend in the Esk River.
What Esk Pike is Made Of
The upper parts of Esk Pike are made of layered volcaniclastic claystones and siltstones. These are rocks formed from volcanic ash and fine mud. You can also see a type of volcanic rock called andesite and a mix of andesite porphyry cutting through them.
Reaching the Top
The very top of Esk Pike is extremely rocky, with lots of pale-colored stones. If you're climbing from Ore Gap, you'll go up a series of steps. The path from Esk Hause is rough and worn down. A small pile of stones, called a cairn, marks the highest point on the rocky outcrop.
Because Esk Pike is right in the middle of Eskdale, it offers amazing views of the Scafells. You can also see the Eastern Fells and Northern Fells in a beautiful wide view. On a clear day, you might even spot parts of Derwentwater and Windermere lakes. A little to the south, Pike de Bield gives you a close-up look at the upper Esk valley.
How to Climb Esk Pike
Esk Pike is quite far from any roads, so climbing it means a long walk compared to other mountains in Cumbria. From Brotherikeld, which is on the Eskdale road, you can choose to go via Ore Gap, Esk Hause, or the south ridge. All these options are about five and a half miles long.
You can also start your climb from Borrowdale. From Seathwaite, you can head towards Esk Hause. Or, from Stonethwaite, you can aim for Ore Gap. Another way to reach the mountain is from Great Langdale, by climbing up Rossett Gill from the Old Hotel. Many hikers don't go straight to Esk Pike. They might climb Bow Fell first, or come from Borrowdale after climbing Glaramara and Allen Crags.
