North Western Fells · Book 6

Hopegill Head

Hopegill Head is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 770 m (2,526 ft) it is the 53rd highest of the 214 and the 6th highest in the North Western Fells.

Height: 770 m; 2,526 ft
Rank: 53; of 214
In area: 6; of 29
Difficulty: Moderate

Hopegill Head in the North Western Fells of the Lake District — Photo: Mick Knapton via Wikimedia Commons

About Hopegill Head

A shapely peak that anchors the Coledale skyline. The ridge to Whiteside is airy and memorable, while crags bite steeply into Hobcarton. A superb half-day with lots of ridge drama for modest effort.

Perched on the edge of Hobcarton Crag, which drops about 130m to Hobcarton Gill, the summit of Hopegill Head is a small rocky point. Some locals call it Hobcarton Pike. It is the middle one of three fells on the ridge from Braithwaite to Crummock Water, with Grisedale Pike to the east and Whiteside to the west.

Most walks come from Braithwaite over Grisedale Pike. Park in the small area near the foot of the Whinlatter road, opposite Hope Memorial Camp, or on the street in the village. Climb Grisedale Pike's east ridge, follow the old fence posts south-west and keep along the edge of Hobcarton Crag to the top. Where the crags turn sheer, stay on the main path a little away from the edge. The return crosses Sand Hill to Coledale Hause and follows the valley past Force Crag Mine to the mine road, 13km with 875m of ascent. From the west, walkers climb Whiteside from Lanthwaite Green and follow the narrow ridge across. The quieter north-west ridge over Ladyside Pike starts from the Whinlatter Pass road.

The Whiteside ridge has crags on one side and grass on the other, and in places the path drops just below the crest to miss a rocky step. There is rough clambering on the last pull up Grisedale Pike, but none of these routes is a scramble.

The Isle of Man and the Scottish border hills show on clear days, and the Helvellyn range lines the east.

Hobcarton Crag is the only place in England where the red alpine catchfly grows. Its crumbly Skiddaw slate is no good for summer rock climbing, but in winter climbers use it for routes such as Thompson's Chimney and Cave Route.

In winter

The summit sits on the lip of Hobcarton Crag, a cliff of about 130m, so in snow keep to the wider path set back from the edge. The final climb up Grisedale Pike on the usual approach is loose stones and rock steps that are hard work when icy.

Ridge Walk
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Sources: Wikipedia: Hopegill Head, Walk Lakes: Grisedale Pike and Hopegill Head, Walk Lakes: The Grasmoor Six Wainwright Fells. Updated 22 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 185 221
Latitude: 54.58807° N
Longitude: 3.26163° W
Area: North Western Fells

Walking up Hopegill Head

The nearest car park on foot is Hobcarton, 5.3 km (3.3 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Hobcarton

Distance: 5.3 km; 3.3 miles, one way
Ascent: 649 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 2 h 3 min; Allow 1 to 3 hours

Height in metres along the path from Hobcarton 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.

Hopegill Head questions

Is Hopegill Head a Wainwright?

Yes. Hopegill Head is one of the 214 fells Alfred Wainwright described in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, in Book 6, The North Western Fells.

How high is Hopegill Head?

Hopegill Head is 770 metres (2,526 feet) high. That makes it the 53rd highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the 6th highest in the North Western Fells.

Where do you park for Hopegill Head?

The nearest car park on foot is Hobcarton, 5.3 km (3.3 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Hopegill Head?

From Hobcarton it is 5.3 km with 649 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 2 h 3 min, so allow 1 to 3 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Hopegill Head?

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

Which Wainwrights are near Hopegill Head?

The closest are Grisedale Pike (791 m, 1.3 km E), Whiteside (west top) (707 m, 1.5 km W) and Eel Crag (Crag Hill) (839 m, 1.9 km S).

What is the grid reference for the summit of Hopegill Head?

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 185 221, or 54.58807, -3.26163 in latitude and longitude.