Ullock Pike

About Ullock Pike

Ullock Pike stands in the Northern Fells area of the Lake District at an elevation of 692 m (2,270 ft) above sea level and a prominence of 14 m (46 ft). It is listed as a Wainwright and a Birkett; and its parent peak is Long Side. Along with Long Side and Carl Side, Ullock Pike sits on Skiddaw’s south western ridge and is generally agreed to be the best way of ascending Skiddaw.

The fell's name comes from the Old Norse, meaning ‘the peak where the wolves play’.
It has two profiles, depending on the angle from which you view it. From the north, it appears to be a slender peak but from other directions, it looks more like a mere bump at the end of Longside Edge.

There is a small heather-topped summit with views all round, although foreshortened to the east where Skiddaw intervenes. At the northern end of the ridge, there is a natural outcrop of rocks which resemble a man-made stone circle – this is called Watches.

Climbing Ullock Pike

By ascending to the top of Skiddaw via its north west ridge, Ullock Pike, Long Side and Carl Side peaks can all be ‘bagged’ in one go. While many people climb Skiddaw from Keswick town centre via the popular pony track, an ascent from the north via Ullock Pike has the advantage of taking you away from the crowds and the opportunity of a more peaceful walk. The starting points for an ascent of the northern ridge include the layby opposite the Ravenstone Hotel or Gale Lane car park.