Low Pike is well seen from the streets of the town as the first prominent fell on the ridge which continues northwards for a further four kilometres to Fairfield.

Despite its modest height, Alfred Wainwright gave Low Pike a separate chapter in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells because "it is sufficiently elevated above the deep valleys of Scandale and Rydale to give an impression of loftiness which exaggerates its modest altitude."

[citation needed] The crest of the ridge consists of the dacitic welded lapilli tuff of the Lincomb Tarns Formation.

It has no direct Scandinavian connection except that its name comes from the Norse word ‘svithinn’ which means “land cleared by burning”.

The view is restricted by surrounding higher fells but the Langdale and Coniston fells show well over the low ground at the head of Windermere; there is also a good aerial view of Ambleside and the head of Windermere lake.