Far Eastern Fells · Book 2

Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike)

Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike) is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 763 m (2,503 ft) it is the joint 55th highest of the 214 and the 7th highest in the Far Eastern Fells.

Height: 763 m; 2,503 ft
Rank: =55; of 214
In area: 7; of 36
Difficulty: Moderate

Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike) in the Far Eastern Fells of the Lake District — Photo: Michael Graham via Geograph, CC BY-SA 2.0

About Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike)

A broad, grassy plateau between Kirkstone Pass and Threshthwaite Mouth, with a cairned top and views south to Windermere. You can come up by St Raven's Edge from Kirkstone Pass or from Hartsop.

Caudale Moor is the name of the whole sprawling fell; Stony Cove Pike is its 763 m summit. Six ridges leave the top, and the plateau between them is mostly grass, with small tarns lying between the two main tops and crags all round the edges. The second top, above Kirkstone Pass, is John Bell's Banner. Just south west of it a cairn topped with a wooden cross is a memorial to Mark Atkinson, and it looks down on the Kirkstone Pass Inn.

From the Brotherswater Inn at Sykeside (NY 403 119), a path climbs the long, steep ridge beside Caudale past old quarries to the Atkinson memorial and on round to Stony Cove Pike. The Walk Lakes report comes back down the easy ridge to Hartsop Dodd and then the soft grass track down its west flank to the inn, about 8 km with 655 m of ascent. The old quarry track up Rough Edge is said to be one of the steepest working tracks in the Lakes.

From Hartsop car park, the Pasture Beck round climbs Hartsop Dodd first and follows the west side of the wall onto the moor, with views south to Wansfell, Windermere and Morecambe Bay. It then drops to Threshthwaite Mouth, climbs to the beacon on Thornthwaite Crag and returns over Gray Crag. That is 10.4 km with over 800 m of ascent. The drop to Threshthwaite Mouth is the hardest part, with a rocky step you may need to climb down.

The shortest way up is from the top of Kirkstone Pass by St Raven's Edge, which is also the least interesting.

Because the top is so flat, the nearby view is limited, but every main group of fells is in sight from somewhere on the plateau.

In winter

The descent east from Stony Cove Pike to Threshthwaite Mouth is steep and very rough, with an awkward rock step, and Walk Lakes says not to do it in snow or on frozen ground. The plateau is flat and featureless, so in mist use the walls that run to Hartsop Dodd, St Raven's Edge and Threshthwaite Mouth.

Ridge Walk
Great Views
Dog Friendly
Summit Tarn

Sources: Wikipedia: Caudale Moor, Walk Lakes: Pasture Beck Round from Hartsop, Walk Lakes: Stony Cove Pike and Hartsop Dodd from Brotherswater Inn. Updated 24 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 418 099
Latitude: 54.48198° N
Longitude: 2.89875° W
Area: Far Eastern Fells

Walking up Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike)

The nearest car park on foot is Camping parking, 3.2 km (2.0 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Camping parking

Distance: 3.2 km; 2.0 miles, one way
Ascent: 604 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 1 h 35 min; Allow 1 to 2 hours

Height in metres along the path from Camping parking to the summit.

Times use Naismith’s rule, 5 km/h on the flat plus extra time for the climb, with Langmuir’s corrections. It’s a rule of thumb for the way up only, so add stops, weather and the walk back down.

The route follows paths mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors and isn’t a guided line. This car park was picked automatically and hasn’t been checked by hand yet, so compare it with a map. Check the mountain forecast before you go and carry a map and compass.

Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike) questions

Is Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike) a Wainwright?

Yes. Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike) is one of the 214 fells Alfred Wainwright described in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, in Book 2, The Far Eastern Fells.

How high is Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike)?

Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike) is 763 metres (2,503 feet) high. That makes it the joint 55th highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the 7th highest in the Far Eastern Fells.

Where do you park for Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike)?

The nearest car park on foot is Camping parking, 3.2 km (2.0 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike)?

From Camping parking it is 3.2 km with 604 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 1 h 35 min, so allow 1 to 2 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike)?

Upfell rates Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike) as moderate. Check the mountain weather forecast before you set out and carry a map and compass.

Which Wainwrights are near Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike)?

The closest are Thornthwaite Crag (784 m, 1.3 km E), Hartsop Dodd (618 m, 2.0 km N) and Gray Crag (699 m, 2.0 km N).

What is the grid reference for the summit of Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike)?

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 418 099, or 54.48198, -2.89875 in latitude and longitude.