Kidsty Pike

Kidsty Pike is a fell in the English Lake District, standing west of Haweswater Reservoir. It forms the east ridge of Rampsgill Head but is treated as a separate fell because of its pointed summit. Two valleys, Riggindale and Randale, flank the ridge, each with a classic U-shaped profile. The northern slope descends gently over grass to Randale’s gathering grounds. The southern side drops steeply over crag and scree to Riggindale, 460 metres below. From Haweswater or the M6 near Shap, the summit appears as a sharp peak in profile. The fell is reached only from the road end at Mardale Head. The route follows the reservoir shore to the ruins of Riggindale Farm, demolished before the waters rose. An old path climbs via Kidsty Howes, a rocky outcrop marking the final steep drop to the shore. The summit holds a small cairn on grass, just above the Riggindale face. Views are limited by higher fells, but a section of Lakeland is visible across the Straits of Riggindale. On clear days, the summit reveals a wide panorama of Lakeland fells. Wainwrights such as Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and Old Man of Coniston appear in sequence around the horizon. The ridge continues east for about a mile before dropping gently to Kidsty Howes. From the shore, the fell’s sharp profile stands out against the reservoir’s waters. The contrast between the shallow northern slope and the steep southern crags gives the fell its distinctive shape.