Eastern Fells · Book 1

Heron Pike

Heron Pike is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 612 m (2,008 ft) it is the 127th highest of the 214 and the 25th highest in the Eastern Fells.

Height: 612 m; 2,008 ft
Rank: 127; of 214
In area: 25; of 35
Difficulty: Moderate

Heron Pike in the Eastern Fells of the Lake District — Photo: Mick Knapton via Wikimedia Commons

About Heron Pike

An elegant shoulder on the Fairfield Horseshoe. Steady gradients, tidy paths and lovely views over Rydal and Grasmere. A classic link in a classic round.

Two kilometres east of Grasmere, Heron Pike is a grassy rise on Fairfield's long southern ridge, between Nab Scar and Great Rigg. Most people who stand on it are doing the Fairfield Horseshoe.

On the Horseshoe from Ambleside, starting at the Rydal Road car park (NY 376 047), you go through Rydal and climb the steep nose of Nab Scar. From there a cairned path runs along the ridge over Heron Pike to Great Rigg and Fairfield. From Grasmere village (NY 337 074), lanes signed to Greenhead Gill and Alcock Tarn take you up the west flank. Alcock Tarn sits at about 360 m, a short detour from the path. It was enlarged in the 19th century and stocked with brown trout. A good loop climbs Stone Arthur to Great Rigg and comes back over Heron Pike and Nab Scar, then along the coffin road from Rydal to Grasmere. That is about 12.5 km with 800 m of ascent. The ridge walking is grassy and easy. The climbs to reach it are the steep part.

Heron Pike has a south summit at 612 m, with flashes of quartz in the rock, and a slightly higher north top at 621 m, where the remains of a cross wall have been made into a small cairn. Walkers heading for Great Rigg cross both. The views take in Windermere and the Coniston and Central Fells.

To the east, Erne Crag and Blind Cove drop steeply to Rydal Beck. There is an old quarry with a cave you can walk into at the foot of Erne Crag. Coming off Nab Scar, look out for an old stone marking the Thirlmere aqueduct.

In winter

The ridge itself is grassy and easy, but the steep descent off the nose of Nab Scar to Rydal is icy and awkward in a freeze. The Horseshoe is about 16 km, so on a short day most people start up from Rydal early or turn back at Heron Pike.

Great Views
Family Walk
Dog Friendly

Sources: Wikipedia: Heron Pike, Walk Lakes: Stone Arthur, Great Rigg, Heron Pike and Nab Scar, Walk Lakes: The Fairfield Horseshoe. Updated 22 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 355 083
Latitude: 54.46606° N
Longitude: 2.99511° W
Area: Eastern Fells

Walking up Heron Pike

The nearest car park on foot is Broadgate Meadow Car Park, 2.8 km (1.7 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Broadgate Meadow Car Park

Distance: 2.8 km; 1.7 miles, one way
Ascent: 541 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 1 h 24 min; Allow 1 to 2 hours

Height in metres along the path from Broadgate Meadow Car Park 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. Check the mountain forecast before you go and carry a map and compass.

Heron Pike questions

Is Heron Pike a Wainwright?

Yes. Heron Pike is one of the 214 fells Alfred Wainwright described in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, in Book 1, The Eastern Fells.

How high is Heron Pike?

Heron Pike is 612 metres (2,008 feet) high. That makes it the 127th highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the 25th highest in the Eastern Fells.

Where do you park for Heron Pike?

The nearest car park on foot is Broadgate Meadow Car Park, 2.8 km (1.7 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Heron Pike?

From Broadgate Meadow Car Park it is 2.8 km with 541 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 1 h 24 min, so allow 1 to 2 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Heron Pike?

Upfell rates Heron Pike as moderate. Check the mountain weather forecast before you set out and carry a map and compass.

Which Wainwrights are near Heron Pike?

The closest are Nab Scar (450 m, 1.1 km S), Stone Arthur (504 m, 1.2 km NW) and Low Pike (508 m, 1.8 km E).

What is the grid reference for the summit of Heron Pike?

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 355 083, or 54.46606, -2.99511 in latitude and longitude.