High Raise (Langdale) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids High Raise
The unspectacular top of High Raise from the cairn on Thunacar Knott
Highest point
Elevation	762 m (2,500 ft)
Prominence	c. 283 m (928 ft)
Parent peak	Scafell Pike
Listing	Marilyn, Hewitt, Wainwright, Nuttall
Geography
High Raise Location in Lake District
Location	Cumbria, England
Parent range	Lake District, Central Fells
OS grid	NY280095
Topo map	OS Explorer OL6

High Raise is a large hill or small mountain, called a fell, located in the Central Fells area of the English Lake District. It's important not to confuse it with another fell also named High Raise in a different part of the Lake District. While High Raise might not be the most dramatic-looking mountain, it is very important because it's the highest point in the central fells, standing at 762 metres (2,500 feet) tall.

Many people consider High Raise to be the most central mountain in the entire Lake District. This special location means it offers amazing views of the mountains all around it and even further away. From its top, you can clearly see all of England's tallest mountains, which are over 914 metres (3,000 feet) high. These include Skiddaw, Helvellyn, and the Scafells. On a clear day, you can even spot the Three Peaks in the Yorkshire Dales, which are about 60 kilometres (37 miles) away, and Morecambe Bay, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) away.

The Summit: High White Stones

The very top of High Raise is sometimes called High White Stones. This name comes from the scattered grey rocks found near the highest point. At the summit, you'll find an Ordnance Survey column, which is a pillar used for mapping. There's also a large cairn, which is a pile of stones. This cairn is big enough to act as a shelter from the wind. You might also see parts of an old fence crossing the flat area at the top.

Because High Raise is so central, the views from its summit are incredibly wide. You can see almost all the major groups of fells in the Lake District. The only slight disappointment might be the Langdale Pikes. From this angle, they don't look as sharp and distinct as they do from other viewpoints. You won't see many lakes from the top, just small parts of Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwentwater.

How to Climb High Raise

Most people start their climb to High Raise from two main villages: Stonethwaite in Borrowdale or the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Great Langdale. However, you can also find good routes starting from Grasmere and Thirlmere.

If you choose the Stonethwaite path, you'll have the chance to also climb the nearby fell of Ullscarf. If you start from Great Langdale, you can visit the famous and beautiful Langdale Pikes either before or after your climb up High Raise.

The Shape of the Fell

High Raise is a meeting point for many different ridges, which are long, narrow sections of high ground. Imagine the main line of the Central Fells as an "L" shape. High Raise, being the highest point, sits right at the corner of this "L".

• North: A ridge goes north from High Raise, passing over Ullscarf and High Seat, heading towards the lower fells near Keswick.
• South-East: Another ridge goes south-east, crossing over Blea Rigg and Silver How, and ends at Loughrigg Fell above Grasmere and Rydal Water.
• East: To the east, several smaller ridges branch off from a rocky top called Sergeant Man. Even though Sergeant Man is part of High Raise, many writers think of it as a separate fell because of its unique look. Beyond Sergeant Man, you'll find fells like Calf Crag, Gibson Knott, Helm Crag, Steel Fell, and Tarn Crag.
• South: South of High Raise are its most famous "children," the Langdale Pikes. These are very scenic, rocky peaks that form a kind of wall at the edge of High Raise's southern plateau. They stand above the valley and are a key part of many beautiful views in the Lake District.