The highest point on the hill is 81m above sea level, at the corner of Primrose Avenue and Arthur Street,[1] close to Dominican University College which overlooks the escarpment.

Much of Ottawa's Chinatown is located on the south side of the hill.

Its business association's former name, "Somerset Heights" was an allusion to the hill.

[3][4] Another origin story cites that it was named after goats that pastured there.

[5] The hill's steep limestone escarpment has been cited as a reason why Downtown Ottawa was spared from the 1900 Hull–Ottawa fire, which damaged more of the city to its west.