Routes up
Heron Pike routes: 2 ways to the top
Rydal via Nab ScarHiking · 5.5 km one way · from Pelter Bridge car park, RydalModerate
Grasmere via Alcock TarnHiking · 4.1 km one way · 554 m ascent · ~1h 45m · from Grasmere villageModerate
Walk up from the Grasmere side to Alcock Tarn, then climb the slope behind it to join the ridge near the top.
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Full Grasmere via Alcock Tarn route guide
Summit today
Is it safe to climb Heron Pike today?
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Cloud inversion · 7 days
The chance of standing above a sea of cloud on Heron Pike each morning this week, from overnight temperature, humidity and low cloud below the 612m summit.
Dark sky · 7 days
How dark the sky gets over Heron Pike each night this week, from cloud cover, moonlight and local light pollution.
Snow · 7 days
Snowfall and lying snow at the summit over the next 7 days.
Sun today
Sunrise 07:06, sunset 16:45
9h 39m of daylight. Golden hour ends 07:58 and starts 15:51. From the summit you see the sun 07:00 to 16:50.
Nearby summits
Close to Heron Pike
About Heron Pike
Heron Pike sits on the long ridge that runs north from Rydal to Great Rigg and Fairfield, forming the western side of the Fairfield Horseshoe. Grasmere lies below on the west and Rydal Beck on the east. Nab Scar is 1.1 km south, a higher North Top lies 0.4 km north, and Great Rigg is 2.1 km north.
Most walkers cross Heron Pike on the horseshoe. From Rydal, a steep pitched path climbs Nab Scar, then the ridge rises in steps over grass and rock to the summit. From Grasmere, a path goes up to Alcock Tarn and then onto the ridge. The ground is good, with some rocky knolls near the top.
The summit looks down on Rydal Water and Grasmere, and across to the Langdale Pikes. Heading north, the ridge continues to Great Rigg; Low Pike and High Pike on the eastern arm sit across the Rydal Beck valley.
Heron Pike is 612 m (2,008 ft) high with 21 m of prominence. It is in Cumbria, England. It is the 258th highest of the 273 summits Peakify lists in Cumbria. The nearest summits are Heron Pike North Top (0.4 km), Nab Scar (1.1 km) and Stone Arthur (1.3 km).
Is Heron Pike part of the Fairfield Horseshoe?
Yes. It is on the western arm, between Nab Scar and Great Rigg.
What is the easiest way up Heron Pike?
Climb from Rydal over Nab Scar. The path is steep at first but well made, and the ridge beyond is straightforward.
Is Heron Pike a Wainwright?
Yes. It is one of the 214 Wainwrights and also a Nuttall and a Birkett.
How high is Heron Pike?
Heron Pike is 612 metres high with 21 metres of prominence.
Where is Heron Pike?
Heron Pike is listed in Cumbria, England.
Are there routes for Heron Pike?
Peakify lists 2 routes for Heron Pike, including available distance, ascent, start point, and difficulty details. The easiest is Rydal via Nab Scar (5.5 km one way, Moderate).
Is it safe to climb Heron Pike today?
Peakify rates each day on the summit Good, Marginal or Poor from the forecast summit wind, gusts, chance of rain and wind chill. Wind of 40 mph or gusts of 65 mph make it Poor; wind of 25 mph, gusts of 45 mph, a 60% chance of rain or a feels-like temperature of -8°C or below make it Marginal. Today's and tomorrow's ratings are at the top of this page. The rating covers the weather only: also check your route, daylight, kit and experience, and in winter whether you need an ice axe and crampons.
What weather information is shown for Heron Pike?
The page includes cached mountain forecast context, snow outlook, dark-sky signals, cloud-inversion information, sunrise, sunset, and summit planning details where available.
Peakify is run by Sam Tyler, who has climbed Yr Wyddfa 22 times. The forecast refreshes every hour; how our forecast works.
