South Top

Hill, Mountain in Westmorland South Lakeland

England

South Top

Rocky ground north from summit of Shelter Crags The view north from the highest point of Shelter Crags with Bow Fell the peak above the grooved cliff.
The more rounded mountains beyond are Great End and Esk Pike.
Rocky ground north from summit of Shelter Crags Credit: Trevor Littlewood

South Top, also known as "Selside Pike," is a prominent hill located in the picturesque county of Westmorland, in northwest England. Part of the Lake District National Park, it stands at an elevation of 655 meters (2,149 feet) above sea level and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Situated near the village of Selside, South Top is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. It is often included as part of a larger circular route that incorporates nearby peaks, such as Branstree and Harter Fell, providing an exhilarating and challenging walk for those seeking to explore the area's natural beauty.

The hill is characterized by its distinctive rounded shape and grassy slopes, which make it relatively accessible for walkers of varying abilities. The ascent to the summit can be approached from various directions, with well-established paths leading from the neighboring valleys.

At the top of South Top, visitors are rewarded with stunning views in all directions. To the north lies the expansive Haweswater Reservoir, while to the south, the eye is drawn to the rugged fells and rolling hills that define the Lake District's unique landscape.

As with many hills in the region, South Top is rich in history and folklore. It is said to have been a popular spot for shepherds and farmers in times gone by, who would use it as a vantage point to survey their flocks grazing in the surrounding valleys.

Overall, South Top in Westmorland offers a captivating outdoor experience, combining natural beauty, hiking opportunities, and a glimpse into the region's cultural heritage.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

South Top Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.430882/-3.1574282 or Grid Reference NY2504. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Rocky ground north from summit of Shelter Crags The view north from the highest point of Shelter Crags with Bow Fell the peak above the grooved cliff.
The more rounded mountains beyond are Great End and Esk Pike.
Rocky ground north from summit of Shelter Crags
The view north from the highest point of Shelter Crags with Bow Fell the peak above the grooved cliff. The more rounded mountains beyond are Great End and Esk Pike.
View down to Oxendale
View down to Oxendale
The Slopes of Brown Howe
The Slopes of Brown Howe
Waterfall below Black Wars
Waterfall below Black Wars
Black Wars
Black Wars
Red Tarn
Red Tarn
Path up to Pike of Blisco
Path up to Pike of Blisco
Langdale – Looking west to The Band and Bowfell The background is not in doubt.  The camera position is uncertain showing a view obtained while climbing up the side of the valley to the Langdale Pikes. I thank Ian Taylor for his great help in locating the image.
Langdale – Looking west to The Band and Bowfell
The background is not in doubt. The camera position is uncertain showing a view obtained while climbing up the side of the valley to the Langdale Pikes. I thank Ian Taylor for his great help in locating the image.
Red Tarn
Red Tarn
Cold Pike summit cairn
Cold Pike summit cairn
Crinkle Crags from Pike of Stickle The ridge ascending to the right across the image is The Band, leading to Bow Fell just out of shot. The dip on the horizon left of Bow Fell is at Three Tarns.
Crinkle Crags from Pike of Stickle
The ridge ascending to the right across the image is The Band, leading to Bow Fell just out of shot. The dip on the horizon left of Bow Fell is at Three Tarns.
Bow Fell from Rossett Pike If heading for Bow Fell from here, there is a descent of only 80m or so to Angle Tarn before the climb begins.
Bow Fell from Rossett Pike
If heading for Bow Fell from here, there is a descent of only 80m or so to Angle Tarn before the climb begins.
Bow Fell from Shelter Crags The route along the ridge from Crinkle Crags to Bow Fell was a popular one, as evidenced by the scar of the path on the right.  It remains so:  it is an obvious round from the Langdale valley.
Bow Fell from Shelter Crags
The route along the ridge from Crinkle Crags to Bow Fell was a popular one, as evidenced by the scar of the path on the right. It remains so: it is an obvious round from the Langdale valley.
At the Three Tarns From the col between Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell, looking to the Scafell range.
At the Three Tarns
From the col between Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell, looking to the Scafell range.
The 'Bad Step' on Crinkle Crags It is interesting to see that this route was already badly eroded back in 1965.

Competent scramblers will take a route immediately right of the chockstone. There is clearly an easier route to the right of the huge central slab. But mere hillwalkers, as I am, used a path on the left, out of shot.
The 'Bad Step' on Crinkle Crags
It is interesting to see that this route was already badly eroded back in 1965. Competent scramblers will take a route immediately right of the chockstone. There is clearly an easier route to the right of the huge central slab. But mere hillwalkers, as I am, used a path on the left, out of shot.
The crags on the east side of Crinkle Crags
The crags on the east side of Crinkle Crags
Crinkle Crags from Great Knott
Crinkle Crags from Great Knott
Show me another place!

South Top is located at Grid Ref: NY2504 (Lat: 54.430882, Lng: -3.1574282)

Administrative County: Cumbria

District: South Lakeland

Police Authority: Cumbria

Also known as: 1st Crinkle

What 3 Words

///fees.lengthen.surface. Near Ambleside, Cumbria

Related Wikis

Crinkle Crags

Crinkle Crags is a fell in the English Lake District in the county of Cumbria. It forms part of two major rings of mountains, surrounding the valleys of...

Cold Pike

Cold Pike is a fell in the English Lake District. It is a satellite of Crinkle Crags and stands above the Upper Duddon Valley. == Topography == When travelling...

Bowfell

Bowfell (named Bow Fell on Ordnance Survey maps) is a pyramid-shaped mountain lying at the heart of the English Lake District, in the Southern Fells area...

Pike of Blisco

Pike of Blisco, or Pike o' Blisco, is a mountain in the Lake District in Cumbria, England. Located between the valleys of Great Langdale and Little Langdale...

Hard Knott

Hard Knott is a fell in the English Lake District, at the head of Eskdale. == Geology == Rhyolitic lava-like tuff of the Bad Step Tuff forms the summit...

Cockley Beck

Cockley Beck is a small hamlet, situated in the Duddon Valley in Cumbria, England. Historically, the hamlet was part of Lancashire. Located today within...

Rossett Pike

Rossett Pike is a fell in the English Lake District. It is located at the head of Mickleden, one of two tributary valleys of Great Langdale. == Topography... ==

Angle Tarn (Langstrath)

Angle Tarn is a tarn to the north of Bowfell in the English Lake District. It drains into Langstrath Beck. This should not be confused with Angle Tarn...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.430882,-3.1574282
Bad Step
Note: The Bad Step is a 10 foot vertical drop/climb which is generally passible with difficulty. The path/loop to the west bypasses it
Scramble: true
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 54.4327345/-3.1590753
Long Top
Description: highest peak of Crinkle Crags
Ele: 859
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 54.433665/-3.1598355
South Top
Ele: 834
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 54.4308282/-3.1574239
Crinkle Crags
Note: set to locality rather than peak as it has 5 peaks with Long Top as the highest
Place: locality
Wikidata: Q8519475
Wikipedia: en:Crinkle Crags
Lat/Long: 54.4346183/-3.1584489
Great Cove
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 54.431833/-3.1557685
Mickle Door
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 54.433667/-3.1554357
Gunson Knott
Ele: 822
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 54.43494/-3.158075
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to South Top?

Leave your review of South Top below (or comments, questions and feedback).