Red Pike (Buttermere)

Red Pike is a fell in the High Stile range in the western English Lake District, which separates Ennerdale from the valley of Buttermere and Crummock Water.

Alfred Wainwright in his guidebook The Western Fells comments that the Wasdale Red Pike might be higher but is less suited to the name.

The Ennerdale flanks are steep and rough with areas of crag, the lower slopes being planted with a ribbon of conifers.

Of the three Buttermere Fells, only Red Pike's north east ridge ends in a prominent top with sufficient relative height to be listed as a Nuttall in its own right.

The ongoing Ennerdale watershed continues westwards from Red Pike, losings its rocky character to become a broad grassy ridge.

Red Pike also throws out a northern ridge on this flank, descending via Lincomb edge toward Crummock Water, the final drop being over Blea Crag.

Between Lingcomb Edge and Dodd is Ling Comb, the third corrie on the Buttermere flank of these fells, standing opposite the village.

[5] The prominent curve of the summit stands out at the head of The Saddle, appearing quite magnificent from Crummock when High Stile is hidden.

Climbing beside the fall itself leads to the reverse slope of Lincomb Edge, or an earlier turn up Far Ruddy Beck gives access into Ling Comb.

Crummock Water from Red Pike summit
Sour Milk Gill, flowing
from Red Pike
Red Pike (right), High Stile and Rannerdale Knotts from Crummock Water