The 20 Most Amazing Peaks around Selside And Fawcett Forest

The region offers a variety of significant peaks. Among the most popular are Kidsty Pike, known for its classic peaked profile and spectacular views over the landscape, and Thornthwaite Crag Beacon, a prominent Wainwright fell with a 4-meter high columnar cairn overlooking four valleys. Another favorite is School Knott, offering wide views down onto Windermere and across the fells of southern and central Lakeland.

Yes, High Street is a notable peak with historical significance. Its summit features 'Racecourse Hill,' a name derived from its historical use for summer horse racing by the Romans. This peak offers extensive vistas of the surrounding fells and valleys.

Many peaks offer breathtaking panoramic views. From Selside Pike and Branstree, you can often see the Haweswater Reservoir. School Knott provides wide views of Windermere and the fells of southern and central Lakeland. From High Street, you'll enjoy extensive vistas across the fells and valleys, while Fell Head and The Calf offer connoisseur-level views towards the Shap Fells and the Yorkshire Dales.

For those seeking solitude, the walk to The Calf via Fell Head is recommended, as this area sees fewer walkers. Additionally, Sallows Summit, while not widely known outside of Wainwright collectors, offers spectacular views and a sense of remoteness, making it a rewarding objective for a quieter fell run or hike.

The peaks in Selside And Fawcett Forest offer a range of difficulties. Many highlights, such as Kidsty Pike and Thornthwaite Crag Beacon, are classified as intermediate to challenging. Routes involving Ashtead Fell Summit Cairn are described as moderate, requiring good fitness. For harder, longer routes, consider areas like Whiteside Pike Cairn or the mountaineering routes around Grey Crag and Tarn Crag.

Yes, several peaks can be combined into circular routes. For instance, Selside Pike can be part of a larger circular route that includes the historic Old Corpse Road. A circular walk ascending via a pleasant ridge to High Street often includes descending to Mardale Ill Bell and Small Water. The loop involving Ashtead Fell Summit Cairn is also a moderate circular hike.

Beyond peak bagging, the Selside And Fawcett Forest area is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, including challenging routes like the 'Whiteside Pike Cairn – Todd Fell loop from Selside' or moderate options like the 'Ashtead Fell Summit Cairn – Mabbin Crag loop from Borrow Beck'. For more hiking options, explore the Hiking around Selside And Fawcett Forest guide. The region also offers road cycling and mountain biking opportunities; refer to the Road Cycling Routes around Selside And Fawcett Forest guide and MTB Trails around Selside And Fawcett Forest guide for more details.

Visitors frequently praise the spectacular views and the sense of accomplishment from reaching the summits. For example, Kidsty Pike is loved for its 'fantastic view,' and School Knott offers 'amazing views from the top.' The diverse terrain, from grassy rises to craggy fells, and the opportunity for challenging yet rewarding hikes are also highly valued.

Yes, several peaks have distinctive landmarks. Thornthwaite Crag Beacon is easily recognizable by its 4-meter high columnar cairn. Branstree features an unusual buried circular concrete trig point at its summit. On High Street, you'll find a trig point on 'Racecourse Hill.' For Sallows Summit, keep an eye out for the tiny OS plate that marks the highest point.

Several peaks in the area are recognized Wainwrights, making them popular among peak-baggers. These include Selside Pike, Branstree, High Street, and Thornthwaite Crag Beacon. Even lesser-known peaks like Sallows and its neighbor Sour Howes were included by Alfred Wainwright in his Far Eastern Fells book, despite not being overly shapely or distinctive.

While technically a parent summit to Selside Pike and further east, High Street is a significant peak accessible from the Selside area, particularly from Haweswater, reaching an elevation of 828 meters (2717 feet). It is one of the highest points in the eastern Lake District.