Far Eastern Fells · Book 2

Rampsgill Head

Rampsgill Head is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 792 m (2,598 ft) it is the joint 38th highest of the 214 and the 3rd highest in the Far Eastern Fells.

Height: 792 m; 2,598 ft
Rank: =38; of 214
In area: 3; of 36
Difficulty: Easy

Rampsgill Head in the Far Eastern Fells of the Lake District — Photo: Michael Graham via Geograph, CC BY-SA 2.0

About Rampsgill Head

Craggy ramparts above Rampsgill, with views down the valley and across to Helvellyn. The grassy ridges make for quick going on a longer round.

Three ridges meet on Rampsgill Head. One runs north west over The Knott and Rest Dodd towards Place Fell, one heads north east over High Raise, and the third drops south to the Straits of Riggindale and on to High Street. Kidsty Pike, the pointed top everyone sees from Haweswater, is only its eastern shoulder.

From Hartsop, where there is free parking in the village and at Cow Bridge by Brothers Water, take the bridleway up Hayeswater Gill to the Hayeswater dam. A zigzag path climbs from there to the ridge by The Knott, and it is a short, easy walk on from The Knott to Rampsgill Head. From Mardale Head the fell is usually climbed over Kidsty Pike, and from Patterdale you can come over by Angle Tarn. The paths are clear and grassy with no scrambling, but the Straits of Riggindale are only about as wide as the path, with a steep drop on the Riggindale side.

The summit is a grassy dome with a cairn on the highest point and a bigger one on the northern brink. Walk to that edge for the view down into Rampsgill, a deep U shaped valley whose head wall falls about 550 metres. Westward, the Helvellyn range stands above Ullswater and Brothers Water. On a clear day you can pick out 85 Wainwrights from here.

The High Street Roman road passes just south east of the summit. The fell takes its name from Ramps Gill, the valley below.

In winter

The Straits of Riggindale, just south of the top, narrow to the width of the path above a steep drop, and the north face falls about 550 metres into the head of Rampsgill, so treat the northern rim with care in snow. The flat grassy top is easy to get lost on in cloud.

Ridge Walk
Great Views
Dog Friendly

Sources: Wikipedia: Rampsgill Head, Lake District Walks: The Knott to Place Fell, go4awalk: Walks up Kidsty Pike. Updated 24 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 442 127
Latitude: 54.50718° N
Longitude: 2.86285° W
Area: Far Eastern Fells

Walking up Rampsgill Head

The nearest car park on foot is Hartsop, 3.7 km (2.3 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Hartsop

Distance: 3.7 km; 2.3 miles, one way
Ascent: 610 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 1 h 41 min; Allow 1 to 3 hours

Height in metres along the path from Hartsop 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.

Rampsgill Head questions

Is Rampsgill Head a Wainwright?

Yes. Rampsgill Head 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 Rampsgill Head?

Rampsgill Head is 792 metres (2,598 feet) high. That makes it the joint 38th highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the 3rd highest in the Far Eastern Fells.

Where do you park for Rampsgill Head?

The nearest car park on foot is Hartsop, 3.7 km (2.3 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Rampsgill Head?

From Hartsop it is 3.7 km with 610 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 1 h 41 min, so allow 1 to 3 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Rampsgill Head?

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

Which Wainwrights are near Rampsgill Head?

The closest are The Knott (739 m, 0.5 km W), Kidsty Pike (780 m, 0.5 km E) and High Raise [Martindale] (802 m, 0.9 km NE).

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

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 442 127, or 54.50718, -2.86285 in latitude and longitude.