High Spy

High Spy is a mountain summit in the Lake District with an elevation of 653 meters (2,143 feet) that forms a ridge between Newlands Valley and Borrowdale. The peak stands about eight kilometers south of Keswick and dominates a notable stretch of hillside terrain.

The mountain was originally known by other names such as Scawdel Fell and Lobstone Band before it became known as High Spy. These earlier designations remain recorded in historical regional maps and documents.

The summit features a large cairn that hiking communities maintain and regularly rebuild. This shared practice connects generations of visitors who treat the location as a communal landmark.

Multiple routes to the summit lead from Rosthwaite through Rigg Head Quarries or from Grange along an ancient drove road past Blea Crag. The best conditions for climbing are during dry weather, as the paths can be steep and slippery when wet.

The Castlenook lead mine operated at the base of the mountain on the Newlands side from 1860 to 1918 and extracted ore from beneath the slope. Visitors can still spot remnants and marks from this mining period during their climb.

Elevation above the sea: 653 m

GPS coordinates: 54.53561,-3.18514

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:05