2260′. Climbing Cold Pike from the high pass at Wrynose Pass may feel a bit like cheating, little more than a thousand foot from the pass, but in reality it is an excellent way of visiting a high Lakeland fell with a minimum of effort. For a child that struggles with both fitness or boredom on a normal 2,000 foot pull or an older couple who’s knees may be shot this is an excellent way of experiencing a craggy peak in the central belt of Lakeland mountains that lie above Langdale.
The views from the summit offer a supreme panorama with Crinkle Crags and Pike o’Blisco showing to great effect. Throw in Red Tarn which nestles between Cold Pike and Pike O ‘Blisco and some pleasant scrambling opportunities just off the return path and this short climb offers much more than a look on the map would suggest. For information Wrynose refers to ‘a stallion’ which would be needed to drag any object up its steep sides.
Recommend: The perspective of the entire Duddon Valley all the way to the sea is superbly laid out from the summit of Cold Pike.
Terrain: Faint track to the rocky summit then head north to join the main Crinkle Crags path to Red Tarn.
This is a lovely walk from Wrynose but for only a little extra effort you could do Pike o’ blisco and the odd Crinkle and feel like an adveturer. A nice day helps of course.