High Rigg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids High Rigg |
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 High Rigg
Location in Lake District
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 357 m (1,171 ft) |
| Prominence | c. 189 m |
| Parent peak | High Raise |
| Listing | Marilyn, Wainwright |
| Geography | |
| Location | Cumbria, England |
| Parent range | Lake District, Central Fells |
| OS grid | NY308220 |
| Topo map | OS Explorer OL5 |
High Rigg is a cool, small fell (that's a fancy word for a hill or mountain!) found in the amazing Lake District in England. It's about three miles southeast of a town called Keswick. High Rigg is special because it stands all by itself. It's surrounded by taller fells but isn't connected to them by a clear ridge (a long, narrow hilltop). Because it stands alone, it's known as a Marilyn. This means it's a hill that rises at least 150 meters (about 492 feet) from the land around it.
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Exploring High Rigg's Shape
High Rigg is like a mini version of the whole Lake District! It has everything: rocky cliffs, smaller peaks, tiny lakes called tarns, and even a "pass" (a low point in the ridge) right in the middle, where you'll find a church.
The northern and southern sides of High Rigg are mostly grassy and gently sloping. But the western and eastern sides are steep. They have lots of rocky spots and cliffs.
What You'll See on the Ridge
If you walk from south to north along the ridge, you'll find several cool spots:
- Wren Crag: This crag (a steep, rugged rock) is about 1,020 feet high. It looks out over the Vale of St John.
- Yew Crag: This one is about 1,000 feet high and faces west.
- Two Higher Tops: After Yew Crag, the ridge goes up to two more tops. They are about 1,125 feet and 1,171 feet high.
- St John's Church: The ridge then dips down to a "pass" where you'll find St John's church.
- Low Rigg: The ridge rises again to Low Rigg, which is 836 feet high.
- Tewet Tarn: Finally, as the ridge slopes down, you'll see Tewet Tarn. This shallow pool sits on a flat area, with higher rocks looking down on it. It's also called Tewfit Tarn.
What High Rigg is Made Of
The rocks that make up High Rigg are quite interesting. The ground is covered with gravel and loose rock. Below this, you'll find a type of volcanic rock called andesite. This rock was formed from ancient lava flows. The area also has many small cracks and breaks in the rock, which geologists call "faults."
The View from the Top
The very top of High Rigg has a cairn (a pile of stones) on a rocky spot. From here, you get an amazing view of the fells all around you!
- To the north, you'll see the huge mountains of Skiddaw and Blencathra.
- To the east, Clough Head and the long Helvellyn range stand tall.
- You can see Thirlmere lake to the south.
- To the west, you'll spot Bleaberry Fell. On a clear day, you might even see the famous Scafell group beyond it!
How to Climb High Rigg
Climbing High Rigg is a fun and fairly easy adventure!
- Short Climb: You can reach the summit in a quick twenty-minute walk from the Church of St John's in the Vale. This climb only goes up about 120 meters (400 feet), making it one of the shortest climbs in the Lake District.
- Longer Walk: If you want a longer hike, you can walk the entire three-mile (5 km) ridge. You could start at Tewit Tarn and finish near Shoulthwaite.
What Does "Rigg" Mean?
The word Rigg comes from an Old English word. It means a bumpy fell or a ridge. So, "High Rigg" basically means "High Bumpy Ridge"!
