All The Gear No Idea: Esk Pike

Esk Pike

Height885m (2,904ft)

Prominence105m (344ft)

RegionSouthern Fells

Climbed4 Times

Esk Pike sits in a bit of an unfortunate position on the map. Despite being a massive mountain in its own right, tipping the scales at nearly 900 meters, it finds itself squeezed between two absolute giants: Great End and Bowfell. Because it is buried so deeply in the interior of the range, far away from any valley roads, getting out here always guarantees a long, proper mountain day by Cumbrian standards. It doesn't look to shout over its more popular neighbors, but it rewards those willing to put in the miles.

"The central height in the semi-circle of fine peaks around the lonely head of Eskdale, nameless on Ordnance Survey maps, has long been known to walkers as Esk Pike. The fell is the least prominent, not because it competes for attention with the popular favourites but rather because its top is the furthest removed from the valley and appears dwarfed in relation to the others." — Wainwright 1958, Book Three

Just below the peak lies Esk Hause, one of the most critical crossroads in the entire Lake District. It's the high-altitude hub where trails from Borrowdale, Eskdale, Langdale, and Wasdale all meet. Interestingly, there are actually two passes here; the higher, "true" Esk Hause is a wild, bleak depression that holds the title of the highest pass in the country, sitting a full 50 meters higher than Stybarrow Dodd's Sticks Pass.

Esk Pike's summit on a fine winter day

When you finally reach the top, the terrain turns strictly stony, closely matching the rough volcanic feel of the neighboring Scafells. The true high point is marked by a neat stone cairn perched on top of a prominent rocky outcrop. Because of its central location right above the lonely upper reaches of Eskdale, the view from this pile of stones is nothing short of incredible. You get an brilliant, up-close look at the massive, brooding walls of Broad Crag, Ill Crag, and Great End, making you feel completely immersed in the wildest high ground the Lakes have to offer.