Between the valleys of Glencoyne and Glenridding stands Sheffield Pike. It is 2,232 feet high and from its summit the views are good. This walk takes you steadily uphill, through woodland past Seldom Seen cottages and then on below the Pike’s heather-clad and rock-strewn east side to Nick Head. After winding left up a rather damp, gentle slope the summit is reached. The return is made to Nick Head once more, then down the outward route until reaching the woodland. Here a gate, left, allows you to descend over pastures to pass in front of Glencoyne farmhouse and on to the car park.

Park at the Glencoyne pay-and-display large car park, grid reference 386188, opposite a pleasing stretch of Ullswater.

1 Cross the road from the car park and turn right to walk, where possible, along the shore of the lake. Go over Glencoyne bridge and carry on, along the roadside or on any little path until you see the sign on the opposite side of the road directing you to ‘Seldom Seen /Glencoyne.’ Cross, with care, and head up the middle track of three. Continue beside the lovely Glencoyne Woods, where you might just spot a red squirrel. Look down right as you go to see picturesque Glencoyne farm, with its round chimneys and white exterior – your return route. Take a pause at the entrance, on the right, to a row of stone cottages built in the 1860s by the owners of the lead mine for the miners to keep them well away from the ‘fleshpots’ of Glenridding.

2 Here look for a narrow rather rough path up through the trees, beside the wall on your right. Stride the lovely way to go through a wooden gate onto the open fell. Then begin your ascent, grasssy and steep at first, beside the continuing wall on the right. At the cross wall, below tree-clad Black Crag, pass through the wooden gate a short way up left of the corner. Beyond, carry on the narrower but distinct path. Pause often to get your breath back and to enjoy the glorious view of Ullswater. On a good day you can see Cross Fell in the Pennines.

3 Continue on up with Glencoyne Dale below to your right, where you can see the remains of an old dam used by the lead miners. Looming, forbiddingly, is Glencoyne Head, with a fan of spoil around a tunnel, more evidence of mining. Carry on up the long narrow path as it begins to bear up the fellside, to the brow, Nick Head. Look left for a view of Catstye Cam and of matchstick figures on Helvellyn, with both Swirral Edge and Striding Edge visible. Wind left, a little, until you can take a sometimes boggy path leading sharp left up the slope towards the summit cairn on Sheffield Pike from where you can enjoy more amazing views.

4 Return down the sloping path to Nick Head. Wind right to descend your upward path, until you reach the gate into woodland. Here take the farm gate to the left and descend stone steps to the grassy sward. Follow the path right and then go with it as it descends steeply left. It comes close to a tributary of Glencoyne Beck, which you cross well down in the valley and which is signposted - the latter not very easy to spot. Go on left of a house and with Seldom Seen cottages away to your right. Beyond, the path becomes muddy but then it continues over grass and leads steeply down to pass immediately in front of Glencoyne farmhouse. Stride the access track to the A-road and turn left to return to the car park.

Information

Distance: 5 miles

Time: 4 hours

Terrain: Paths and tracks climb, unrelenting, all the way to the summit. Take lots of time if the day is hot.

Map: OS Explorer OL 5

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.