Nethermost Pike Summit - 7th March 2010

Nethermost Pike Summit - Lake District visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Nethermost Pike Summit' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Cumbria.

Nethermost Pike is the second highest Wainwright hill in the Helvellyn range of the Lake District in Cumbria, England. The Pike reaches 891m high and is a very popular hiking goal, with stunning panoramic views from the top.

Nethermost Pike is close to the southern end of the ridge with Helvellyn (950m) to the north, and High Crag (often considered part of Nethermost Pike) and Dollywaggon Pike to the south. To the west is Thirlmere and to the east is Ullswater.

The closest villages to Nethermost Pike are Glenridding and Patterdale on the shores of Ullswater, about 5 miles away. The eastern slopes of Nethermost Pike are a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), both because of the geology and biology, some of the best arctic-alpine and tall-herb plants in England grow here.

Nethermost Pike - Tourism and Walking

The Lake District attracts over 12 million visitors a year. Most walkers head straight up Helvellyn meaning that Nethermost Pike receives fewer visitors and is quieter. Many clibmers start from Glenridding and Patterdale on the shores of Ullswater. These eastern ridge approaches are the most popular, either from the path to Eagle Crag Mine, or via Ruthwaite Lodge and Hard Tarn.

The approach from the west starts from a car park at Wythburn, close to Wythburn Church, which has a wide track to Helvellyn before branching off right at Swallow Scarth. There is a constant balance being sought between the needs to protect this SSSI and the desire of visitors to walk on it.

Car: Glenridding and Patterdale are on the A592, about 16 miles from Keswick and 10miles north of Windermere. Wythburn Church is on the A591, 12 miles north of Windermere and about 7 miles south of Keswick.