It is located nine kilometres (5+1⁄2 miles) west of the town of Keswick and is well seen from the B5292 road which crosses the Whinlatter Pass.

However, the Ordnance Survey have officially named the fell Hopegill Head on maps after Hope Gill, which is another valley that goes north-west from the summit.

The crags, which are owned by the National Trust, are the only location in England of Viscaria alpina, the red alpine catchfly.

It is also possible to arrive or leave via the Coledale Hause passing over the satellite summit of Sand Hill.

The summit of the fell is an exhilarating place, a small pointed peak poised on the edge of Hobcarton Crag giving wide ranging views.