The craggy north face of Rampsgill Head

Rampsgill Head

Height792m (2,598ft)

Prominence41m (135ft)

RegionFar Eastern Fells

Climbed3 Times

Rampsgill Head is the fell that stands, appropriately enough, at the head of Ramps Gill to the west of Haweswater Reservoir. It forms a key junction point for three ridges that fan out northeast, northwest, and south. This strategic location makes it an important crossroads for anyone traversing the High Street range.

"There is usually little difficulty in defining the boundaries of a mountain. If it rises in isolation, there is no difficulty. Rampsgill Head is, geographically, a 'key' point in the High Street range, for two independent ridges leave its summit. It is remarkable that a neat and precise definition of its natural boundaries cannot be given." — A. Wainwright

As the next summit north on the High Street range, it is separated from its parent peak by the dramatic narrowing of the Straits of Riggindale. The northern face drops an impressive 550m over rough ground into the upper bowl of Rampsgill. Its southwestern flank above Hayeswater and the southeastern edge hanging over Riggindale are significantly craggier, ensuring that none of these faces offer a realistic line of ascent for the average walker.

The summit plateau looking towards High Raise

The summit itself consists of a grassy plateau punctuated by a little outcropped rock, with a modest cairn marking the highest point. A much larger cairn is positioned right on the brink of the sheer north face, peering directly down into Ramps Gill. From the crest, the westward views toward the Helvellyn range are excellent, with Ullswater and Brothers Water visible in the landscape below.

Trip Reports

High Street via Riggindale & Kidsty Pike22/07/2018

A Tour of Hayeswater11/01/2014

The East Martindale Fells05/04/2014

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