Clough Head

About Clough Head

Clough Head is situated within the Eastern Fells and in fact marks the northern end of main Helvellyn range, often traversed as part of the walk along this ridge. Its elevation is 726 m (2,382 ft) above sea level and its prominence is 108 m (354 ft). It is therefore listed as a Hewitt, a Nuttall and Wainwright. Its parent peak is Great Dodd.

There is a small wind shelter at the summit next to an Ordnance Survey triangulation pillar. Views, particularly of Blencathra to the north, are excellent. To the north west of the summit, the fell drops precipitously to Threlkeld Knotts, a lower, rounded hill right up against the steep face of Clough Head. On the northern slope of this, there are the remains of an Iron Age settlement.

Climbing Clough Head

Clough Head, Threlkeld Knotts and Threlkeld Common (from whence Clough Head rises) are all on Open Access land. There are three entry points: the end of the Old Coach Road, the lane which begins at Threlkeld village and leads to Newsham Farm; or the same lane which can be joined from the disused railway line further along the route. From here there are four main routes to the summit. Perhaps the most challenging are the steep ascent from Threlkeld Knotts via Red Screes, emerging on the western shoulder of the fell and then proceeding up the more gentle, grassy slopes to the summit; and via Fisher’s Wife’s Rake on the west side, a very steep scramble up through the crags.

For climbers and scramblers, there is an ascent via Sandbed Gill – rock climbing experiences and ropes are generally required.