Dollywaggon Pike

About Dollywaggon Pike

Also known as Dollywagon Pike, this peak has an elevation of 858 m (2,815 ft) and a prominence of 50 m (160 ft). Its parent peak is Helvellyn and it is listed as a Hewitt and Nuttall, as well as being noted by Wainwright. It stands on the main spine of the Helvellyn range in the Eastern Fells and is the 18th largest of the Wainwright peaks.

As with many other fells in the Lake District, the western slopes are gentler and grassy while the eastern flank is composed of rough-hewn crags and a north eastern arête known as The Tongue. The grassy summit lies directly at the head of this ridge. A small cairn marks the highest point, with larger one standing a few yards to the west.

Climbing Dollywaggon Pike

By far the most impressive approach, often quieter because it is both longer and more challenging, is via The Tongue which ascends via a series of rocky steps to the summit from Patterdale. The more often travelled route is from Grasmere via Grisedale, walking as far as the tarn before following a rough path to Helvellyn’s summit, which ascends fairly steeply, then following the old fence poles to the summit cairn of Dollywaggon Pike.

There are clear access routes up the fell’s western slopes from Thirlmere, although these are generally not considered as interesting. Many walkers combine an ascent of Dollywaggon Pike with a number of other Wainwright fells in the area, for example a circular route from Wythburn, which takes in Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, Dollywaggon Pike itself and Seat Sandal.