The dome of Pike O'Stickle above Great Langdale

Pike o' Stickle

Height709m (2,326ft)

Prominence54m (177ft)

RegionCentral Fells

Climbed4 Times

"Simple lines are often the most effective, and the smoothly-soaring pyramid of Pike O'Stickle, rising to a tapering thimble of rock without interruption or halt between valley and summit, is an imposing and impressive feature and contributes much to the grandeur of the head of Langdale." — A. Wainwright

Soaring dramatically above the head of Great Langdale, Pike o' Stickle forms one of the most distinctive profiles in the Lake District. The name translates directly from local Cumbrian dialect, combining pike (a peak) and stickle (a steep, prominent rock top). Standing as the second highest of the Langdale Pikes alongside Pavey Ark, its striking, thimble-like dome is recognisable from miles around.

The fell holds immense archaeological significance as the site of a famed Neolithic axe factory. Situated across the steep scree gullies on its southern face, an exposed seam of fine-grained volcanic greenstone was mined by prehistoric craftspeople to manufacture polished stone axes, which were traded across prehistoric Britain.

Taking a break at the summit

The summit dome consists of a rocky thimble crowned by a stone cairn. Due to its sheer drop directly into the valley below, the high point offers an exhilarating, eagle's-eye perspective over Great Langdale, with the magnificent precipices of Bowfell dominating the view across to the west alongside neighbouring Harrison Stickle and Loft Crag.