Far Eastern Fells · Book 2

Selside Pike

Selside Pike is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 655 m (2,149 ft) it is the 110th highest of the 214 and the 21st highest in the Far Eastern Fells.

Height: 655 m; 2,149 ft
Rank: 110; of 214
In area: 21; of 36
Difficulty: Easy

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

About Selside Pike

Quiet slopes above Haweswater and a broad grassy ridge, with wide views east to the Pennines and down into the head of Mardale.

The Corpse Road is the best line up Selside Pike, and it comes with a story. The dead of Mardale were once carried over this fell to be buried in the churchyard at Shap. The last such journey was in 1736. When Haweswater was raised in the 1940s, about 100 burials were moved from Holy Trinity church at Mardale Green before the village was flooded.

The Corpse Road leaves the Haweswater road near Mardale Head and zigzags up the steep western slope above the reservoir. Higher up, leave it and climb the grass by High Blake Dodd to the summit. A good round carries on south west to Branstree and comes down by Gatesgarth Pass to the car park at Mardale Head, which is small and fills early. From the east you can climb out of Swindale, but the last 2 km of the road into Swindale is for residents only, so walk in from where the public road ends.

The slopes are smooth grass, with no scrambling. The Haweswater side is steep, with long tongues of scree, and the Swindale side falls gently at first, then drops over crags.

A big stone cairn with a wind shelter stands on the grassy top. The Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales fill the eastern skyline. Other Lakeland fells are mostly hidden: only 13 Wainwrights are visible from here, fewer than from any other summit on the list. What you do get is the head of Mardale.

In winter

Snow on the Corpse Road and the smooth upper slopes hides the line of the path, and the east side ends suddenly in crags above Swindale, above Geordie Greathead Crag and the gully of Hobgrumble Gill. The summit wind shelter is the only cover on the top.

Ridge Walk
Great Views
Quiet & Remote
Family Walk
Dog Friendly

Sources: Wikipedia: Selside Pike, go4awalk: Walks up Selside Pike. Updated 23 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 490 111
Latitude: 54.49344° N
Longitude: 2.78775° W
Area: Far Eastern Fells

Walking up Selside Pike

The nearest car park on foot is Mardale Head Car Park, 4.3 km (2.7 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Mardale Head Car Park

Distance: 4.3 km; 2.7 miles, one way
Ascent: 517 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 1 h 39 min; Allow 1 to 3 hours

Height in metres along the path from Mardale Head 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.

Selside Pike questions

Is Selside Pike a Wainwright?

Yes. Selside 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 Selside Pike?

Selside Pike is 655 metres (2,149 feet) high. That makes it the 110th highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the 21st highest in the Far Eastern Fells.

Where do you park for Selside Pike?

The nearest car park on foot is Mardale Head Car Park, 4.3 km (2.7 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Selside Pike?

From Mardale Head Car Park it is 4.3 km with 517 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 1 h 39 min, so allow 1 to 3 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Selside Pike?

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

Which Wainwrights are near Selside Pike?

The closest are Branstree (713 m, 1.8 km SW), Tarn Crag [Longsleddale] (664 m, 3.4 km S) and Harter Fell [Mardale] (779 m, 3.6 km SW).

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

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 490 111, or 54.49344, -2.78775 in latitude and longitude.