View of Ullswater from Bonscale Pike

In the very north east of the Lake District National Park, hikes up Bonscale Pike make for a wonderful goal on a ramble around Ullswater. Standing atop the Pike’s steep western slope, the views along the lake into the mountains are fantastic. Rising immediately above Howtown, you can hike Bonscale Pike’s steep sides directly or add it into a longer circuit. 

While this Wainright only stands at 1,719 feet (524 m), it rises sharply and the ascent is steep across bracken-covered slopes. Ullswater quickly drops away though, promising of greater views the higher you climb. The summit is marked by a little cairn but more attention-grabbing are Bonscale Tower and its lower sister, columnular cairns that stand out like guardians over the views west. 

Part of the lengthy High Street range, once you’ve hiked up Bonscale Pike, you can wander from fell to fell without much gradient changing. Loadpot Hill immediately south is a popular objective but walk as long as your feet and the weather will allow. Winter can be beautiful and summer brings fantastic vibrancy to the pathwork land east to the North Pennines.