Causey Pike
Causey Pike at 637m (2,090ft) is one of the most attractive North Western summits — a pointed, rocky knob visible from across Derwent Water that Wainwright regarded as giving one of the finest low-level views of the lake.
Is it worth going? — Today’s conditions & 7-day summit forecast
Modelled guidance for the 637 m summit. Always check the Met Office mountain forecast and MWIS before you set off.
On the summit today (Tue 28 Jul): 15° to 13°C, gusts to 37 mph, 4.8 mm of rain forecast.
Forecast snapshot from 28 Jul 2026, 04:58 UTC — refreshed nightly and updated live in your browser. Temperatures and gusts adjusted to the 637 m summit altitude via Open-Meteo. Summit conditions are always harsher than the valley — check the professional mountain forecasts before you go.
About the walk
Causey Pike
Routes up Causey Pike
Hand-mapped, with GPX to download — full maps further down.
Map & nearby Birketts
Skip mapFree mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap (switch layers top-right). Parking positions are approximate.
Nearest parking: Little Town, Newlands (paid, small), about 2.1 km from the summit (straight line). Full parking, toilets and bus details are below.
Birketts near Causey Pike (within 3 km)
These Birkett tops are not Wainwright summits — detour to them on this walk and they are pure profit. Distances are straight-line; allow extra for terrain.
Routes over Causey Pike
A planned line is a suggestion, not a guarantee — conditions change. Navigate independently and carry a map & compass.
A planned line is a suggestion, not a guarantee — conditions change. Navigate independently and carry a map & compass.
The View from Causey Pike
A computed 360° skyline — every visible named top labelled by distance and bearing, from the terrain model in perfect clarity, not photographed. Drag to pan; reveal the far four-nations horizon.
What you can see from Causey Pike, by direction
- North-east: Skiddaw Little Man (8 km), Skiddaw Lesser Man (8 km), Skiddaw South Top (9 km), Skiddaw Middle Top (9 km), Skiddaw (9 km), Gategill Fell Top (12 km), Blencathra (12 km), Atkinson Pike (13 km)
- East: Watson's Dodd (12 km), Great Dodd (12 km), White Side (13 km), Stybarrow Dodd (13 km), Raise (13 km), Catstye Cam (14 km)
- South-east: Helvellyn Lower Man (13 km), Helvellyn (14 km), Nethermost Pike (14 km), High Crag (14 km), Dollywaggon Pike (15 km), Fairfield (17 km)
- South: Kirk Fell East Top (10 km), Great Gable (11 km), Kirk Fell (11 km), Glaramara (11 km), Looking Steads (11 km), Great End (12 km), Broad Crag (13 km), Ill Crag (14 km), Esk Pike (14 km), Scafell Pike (14 km), Scafell (14 km), Bowfell (15 km)
- South-west: High Stile (8 km), High Stile (8 km), Pillar (10 km), Steeple (11 km), Scoat Fell (11 km), Haycock (12 km)
- West: Crag Hill (3 km), Eel Crag (3 km)
On the clearest days the far horizon adds: Tinto (117 km, Scotland), Green Lowther (97 km, Scotland), White Coomb (94 km, Scotland), Queensberry (82 km, Scotland), Ettrick Pen (87 km, Scotland), Culter Fell (110 km, Scotland), Cairn Table (115 km, Scotland), Wisp Hill (80 km, Scotland).
Computed from terrain in perfect clarity, not photographed · distances are straight-line.
Computed from Copernicus GLO-30 terrain; distant tops from the Database of British and Irish Hills (opens in new tab) (CC BY 4.0). See how we compute the view · and the summit intervisibility report below.
What you can see from Causey Pike
On a clear day — computed sightlines, curvature- and refraction-corrected.On the clearest days the view reaches across to Scotland.
- Ingleborough Yorkshire Dales
- Criffel Scotland
- Great Dun Fell North Pennines
- Cross Fell North Pennines
- Solway Firth bay/estuary
All 84 Wainwrights in clear view (nearest first)
Scar Crags, Outerside, Barrow, Ard Crags, Sail, Grisedale Pike, Crag Hill (Eel Crag), Cat Bells (Catbells), Knott Rigg, Maiden Moor, Wandope, Hopegill Head, Robinson, Hindscarth, Whiteless Pike, High Spy, Whiteside (Whiteside West Top), Whinlatter (Brown How - Whinlatter), Dale Head, Walla Crag, Lord's Seat, Barf, Grange Fell (Brund Fell), Broom Fell, Fleetwith Pike, Bleaberry Fell, Dodd (Skiddaw), Latrigg, High Seat, High Stile, Red Pike (Buttermere), High Crag (Buttermere), Great Crag (Stonethwaite), Carl Side, Long Side, Ullock Pike, Skiddaw Little Man, High Rigg (Naddle Fell), Skiddaw, Lonscale Fell, Starling Dodd, Pillar, Eagle Crag, Great Gable, Kirk Fell, Glaramara, Steeple, Sergeant's Crag, Scoat Fell (Little Scoat Fell), Ullscarf, Clough Head, Watson's Dodd, Great Dodd, Great End, Blencathra - Hallsfell Top, Haycock, Allen Crags, White Side, Stybarrow Dodd, Raise, High Raise (High White Stones), Esk Pike, Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, Crag Fell, Catstye Cam, Nethermost Pike, Thunacar Knott, Scafell, Pavey Ark, Bowfell, Pike of Stickle, Binsey, Dollywaggon Pike, Harrison Stickle, Loft Crag, Bowscale Fell, Lank Rigg, Seat Sandal, Fairfield, Great Rigg, Great Mell Fell, Heron Pike (Rydal), Wetherlam
How Causey Pike’s view compares with all 214 — the View Report: every Wainwright ranked by what you can see from the top.
Sightlines from a bare-earth terrain model (forests and buildings not included), corrected for the Earth’s curvature and average atmospheric refraction. “Distant” sightlines and any over 100 km depend on exceptionally clear air. Modelled from Copernicus GLO-30 open elevation data — a guide to the view, not a guarantee of any single one.
Best parking to hike Causey Pike
Where we have the data, each parking spot also shows the nearest public toilets and facilities (cafés, pubs, shops).
Positions are approximate — zoom the map to confirm. Lakeland car parks fill before 9am on fine weekends.
Tip: pan and zoom the interactive map at the top of this page to spot other potential parking near your route.
Water & shelter on the way up
On the Scar Crags, Causey Pike route:
On the Stile End, Outerside, Causey Pike, Rowling End route:
On-route facilities © OpenStreetMap contributors, per route — an absent marker doesn’t mean none.
Buses to Causey Pike from Penrith / Ambleside / Windermere
Rural routes change seasonally — confirm on stagecoachbus.com (opens in new tab) or Traveline before relying on a last bus.
My hikes over Causey Pike (Strava)
1 logged hike pass over this summit:
- My knees didn't like that (opens in new tab) — 19.0 km · 1421 m ascent · 5h 33m moving · 16 May 2026
Interactive route maps and photos load here for visitors with JavaScript. Data from Strava.
Hazard & Incident Information for Causey Pike
A small fell with a big personality, instantly known by the knobbly rocky knolls along its summit. Reaching that crest involves a steep, hands-on scramble, and the narrow top is exposed to the wind; the steep northern flanks have no safe path, which has caught out walkers trusting mapping apps in the dark. Keswick Mountain Rescue Team, which lists local accident hotspots, is called here to falls and to navigation mishaps above Newlands.
- The rocky summit scramble: The final pull onto the summit knolls is a genuine hands-on scramble — Wainwright called the route 'a very stiff scramble, suitable only for people overflowing with animal strength and vigour.' It's exposed and awkward when wet or windy. Take care with hand- and foot-holds, and don't commit if you're not comfortable scrambling.
- Wind on the narrow summit crest: The slender top is fully exposed; a strong gust has been enough to blow a walker off balance into a serious leg injury. In high wind keep low, keep three points of contact on the rocky bits, and consider turning back.
- Steep north flank — no path (mapping-app trap): There is no safe path down the steep northern side toward Stonycroft Beck, despite lines shown on some walking apps. Walkers have become lost and cragfast taking these 'shortcuts', especially in fading light. Descend by the ridge you came up; don't trust an app-drawn path that isn't on the ground.
Most common causes: Slips and falls on the rocky summit scramble · Being blown off balance on the exposed crest in high wind · Getting lost or cragfast on the pathless north flank following mapping apps · Benightment after taking a wrong 'shortcut' off the summit
Local Mountain Rescue: Keswick Mountain Rescue Team (opens in new tab) · Reviewed 14 Jun 2026
Safety: Hazard guidance compiled from published Mountain Rescue reports and well-documented accident history - editorial background, not a live feed of callouts. Always check current conditions, carry proper navigation equipment, and seek qualified instruction before heading onto the fells. In an emergency, call 999, ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue.
Navigating Causey Pike in cloud
StraightforwardA broad, gently-sloping top with little to steer by — easy to lose your bearings and hard to relocate in mist. Navigation here is relatively straightforward even in cloud — but carry map and compass and know how to use them; a low score never means “safe”.
In winter — snow, whiteout, cornices, buried features — every top demands full winter navigation skills whatever its band, and a broad, gentle summit can be the worst place of all. See walking in bad weather and the navigation guide.
How Causey Pike compares with all 214 — the Clag Index: navigating in cloud. A relative, deliberately cautious guide; the site can’t navigate for you.
Frequently asked questions about Causey Pike
Is Causey Pike hard to climb?
It's a moderate fell with a fun finish. Causey Pike (637 m / 2,090 ft) is a steady climb up its ridge above Newlands, ending in a short rocky scramble onto the famous knobbly summit. The scramble is easy and ungraded, with good holds and choices of line, so most walkers handle it comfortably.
It's a great introduction to a little hands-on rock without the exposure of the big ridges.
What is that knobbly bump on top of Causey Pike?
That distinctive 'knobble' is Causey Pike's actual summit, and it's what makes the fell instantly recognisable from Keswick and Derwentwater. The top is a row of several rocky humps of almost equal height, with the highest reached by a short scramble.
Among Lakeland's many fells, that jagged little silhouette is one of the easiest to pick out on the skyline.
What is the best route up Causey Pike?
The popular ascent climbs the steep, shapely east ridge from the Newlands valley (often starting near Stonycroft or Braithwaite). It rises directly to the knobbly summit and gives grand views over Derwentwater.
Causey Pike is also the first or last top on the Newlands Horseshoe and the Coledale Round, linked over Scar Crags to Sail and Crag Hill.
How long does it take to climb Causey Pike?
Up and down on its own from the Newlands valley allow around 3–4 hours. Extended over Scar Crags, Sail and Crag Hill, or as part of the longer Coledale/Newlands round, it becomes a 5–7 hour day.
Do you have to scramble on Causey Pike?
There's a short scramble onto the very top, but it's easy, ungraded rock with plenty of holds and route choices, and only a few metres of it. It's far gentler than airy ridges like Striding Edge, and there's no big exposure.
If you'd rather not use your hands at all you can admire the knobble from just below, but most walkers find this little scramble the highlight of the fell.
Is Causey Pike good for beginners and families?
It's a good choice for fit beginners and older children who'll enjoy the little summit scramble — modest in height, with a big reward and a memorable knobbly top. The east ridge is steep in places, and the final rock means keeping younger children close and supervised.
Pick a dry, clear day (wet rock is more slippery), wear boots with grip, and carry a map, waterproofs and a warm layer.
What should I wear and take up Causey Pike?
Wear proper walking boots with good grip for the steep ridge and the rocky summit, and carry warm and waterproof layers — the top is exposed despite the modest height. Take a map and compass, water, food and a charged phone, and check the mountain forecast.
Save the summit scramble for dry conditions, and treat the steep ridge with care in wind or winter, when the grass and rock get slippery.
Questions drawn from real Google “People also ask” searches; answers written and fact-checked by us. · Reviewed 2026-06-15 · Suggest a question or correction (opens in new tab)
Other fells near Causey Pike
- Ard Crags
- Barf
- Barrow
- Broom Fell
- Castle Crag
- Cat Bells (Catbells)
- Crag Hill (Eel Crag)
- Dale Head
- Grasmoor
- Graystones (Graystones North Top)
- Grisedale Pike
- High Spy
- Hindscarth
- Hopegill Head
- Knott Rigg
- Ling Fell
- Lord's Seat
- Maiden Moor
- Outerside
- Rannerdale Knotts
- Robinson
- Sail
- Sale Fell
- Scar Crags
- Wandope
- Whinlatter (Brown How - Whinlatter)
- Whiteless Pike
- Whiteside (Whiteside West Top)
Maps & guidebooks for Causey Pike
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