Steeple (Lake District) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Steeple |
|
|---|---|
Steeple seen from Wind Gap between Scoat Fell and Pillar
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 819 m (2,687 ft) |
| Prominence | 21 m (69 ft) |
| Listing | Wainwright, Nuttall |
| Geography | |
 Steeple
Location in Lake District
Steeple
Location in the Borough of Copeland
|
|
| Location | Cumbria, England |
| Parent range | Lake District, Western Fells |
| OS grid | NY157116 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 89, OS Explorer Outdoor Leisure 4 |
Steeple is a cool mountain (called a fell) in the Lake District in England. It stands tall between two valleys, Ennerdale and Wasdale. This fell is 819 metres (about 2,687 feet) high!
Even though Steeple looks like its own mountain, it's actually a rocky part of a bigger fell called Scoat Fell. But because it has such a sharp peak and steep cliffs, people think of it as a separate mountain. A famous writer about the Lake District, Alfred Wainwright, loved Steeple's name. He said that seeing it on a map or in real life makes you excited!
About Steeple's Shape and Location
Steeple is very close to Scoat Fell. This closeness means it's not always seen as a top mountain on its own. The two fells are connected by a narrow, rocky ridge called an arête. The lowest point of this ridge is 798 metres high.
This ridge can be a bit loose with stones, so it's safer to walk along the firmer rock right on top. Even though Scoat Fell is only 22 metres taller than Steeple, it looks much bigger because it's so close.
How to Climb Steeple
You can climb Steeple from either Wasdale or Ennerdale valleys. Most people climb it along with other nearby fells. These include Pillar, Scoat Fell, and Red Pike. This longer walk is often called the "Mosedale Horseshoe."
You can also climb Steeple directly from Ennerdale. There's a public path that starts from the valley at a spot called grid reference NY151138. This path goes through a forest and then up the north side of Steeple to reach the very top.
The Top of Steeple
The very top of Steeple is a sharp, pointy peak. There's hardly any space for a pile of stones (called a cairn). In fact, there's only room for a few people at a time! Sometimes, you might even have to wait your turn to stand at the highest point.
The ground drops away steeply on all sides, especially towards a place called Windgap Cove to the east. From the summit, your view is a bit blocked by taller fells to the south and east. However, you get an amazing view of Ennerdale Water. You can also see the nearby cliffs and hollows of Mirk and Mirklin Coves up close.
