Situated between the valleys of Ennerdale to the north and Wasdale to the south, it is the highest point of the Pillar group (some dozen fells clustered round it).

The main watershed runs broadly westwards from Great Gable, dividing the headwaters of Ennerdale and Wasdale.

Two tiers of impressive crags run the full length of the fell from Wind Gap in the west to Black Sail Pass in the east.

Below is a narrow terrace bearing the 'High Level Route' path and then a further wall including Pillar Rock, Raven and Ash Crags and Proud Knott.

The lower slopes are planted with a broad belt of conifers, extending across the River Liza to the flanks of High Crag.

A subsidiary spur branches off north-west of the summit, passing over White Pike before petering out in the Ennerdale Forest.

The primary rock types in the summit area are the plagioclase-phyric andesite lavas of the Birker Fell Formation.

At the northern edge of the plateau a further windshelter marks the descent to the mountain rescue stretcher-box and the High Level Route.

Alternatively, there are various paths up the mountain from lower down the valley which offer the possibility of closer acquaintance with the crags of the north face.

The walk from Gatesgarth to the summit of Pillar and back involves over 1,200 metres (3,950 ft) of ascent, more if the High Level Route is taken.

In the early 19th century it became widely known as one of the wonders of the Lake District, chiefly due to its featuring in William Wordsworth's poem The Brothers.

[1] You see yon precipice—it almost looks Like some vast building made of many crags, And in the midst is one particular rock That rises like a column from the vale, Whence by our Shepherds it is call'd, the Pillar.