Eccles Pike

Eccles Pike is a lone gritstone hill in High Peak, Derbyshire, roughly three miles west of Chapel-en-le-Frith inside the Peak District National Park. At 370 metres (1,210 ft) it is modest in height, yet because nothing crowds it, the summit gives some of the widest views in this corner of the Peak.

What will you see from Eccles Pike?

The rock here is gritstone, turning pinkish towards the top. Looking west, you can pick out Manchester; to the east the broad Kinder Scout plateau fills the skyline. Walk guides also list Chinley Churn, Mount Famine, South Head and Brown Knoll among the landmarks. Combs Reservoir lies immediately south of the hill and features in many loop routes.

How do you get there?

Most walkers start in Combs village or in Chapel-en-le-Frith. Roadside parking in Combs is limited; route descriptions suggest leaving the car near the phone box, or using the Bee Hive pub car park, which has charged non-customers about £2 a day. You can also begin from Whaley Bridge, or take a train or bus to Chinley or Buxworth and walk in.

Which routes are there?

Distance depends on where you start:

• about 5 miles (8 km) from Combs, 2 to 3 hours;
• a short loop from Chapel-en-le-Frith or Bradshaw Hall, around 3 miles, with a brief detour to the top, about 1.5 hours;
• 4.7 miles from Whaley Bridge, including a steep climb to the summit;
• longer outings of up to 19 km (11.8 miles) linking the hill with Whaley Bridge, Buxworth and Fernilee, as run by Ramblers groups.

The final ascent is steep but short. The hill is open walking country with no admission fee.

When should you go?

Choose a clear day, when Kinder Scout and the Manchester skyline are visible. Early morning and late afternoon light suits the pink stone. After rain the path beside Combs Reservoir can turn very boggy, and near the dam it may be underwater if the reservoir is full. Wear sturdy boots and bring a windproof layer, since the top is exposed.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Eccles Pike? 370 metres (about 1,210 ft) above sea level.

Do you have to pay to climb it? No. The paths are public. The only possible cost is parking at the pub.

How long does a walk take? Short loops take 1.5 to 2 hours, the standard route from Combs 2 to 3 hours, and the long variants from Whaley Bridge and Chinley several hours more.

What can you combine with the walk? A circuit of Combs Reservoir below the hill, and a stop in Chapel-en-le-Frith, the nearest town, which has cafes, pubs and a railway station.