Dales 30
My Dales 30

Aye Gill Pike

Route Options
Height

556m (1,824 ft)

Location

Dentdale

Neighbours

Great Knoutberry Hill

Height

556m (1,824 ft)

Location

Dentdale

Neighbours

Great Knoutberry Hill

Gallery of Aye Gill Pike

Aye Gill Pike summit and Howgills
Aye Gill Pike summit and Howgills
Aye Gill Pike from Lunds Farm
Aye Gill Pike from Lunds Farm
The Howgills from the Dales Highway
The Howgills from the Dales Highway
North to Baugh Fell
North to Baugh Fell
Looking East from the summit
Looking East from the summit
Upper Dentdale
Upper Dentdale
St Andrews Church
St Andrews Church
Looking over Aye Gill Pike
Looking over Aye Gill Pike

Jonathan’s View

I have included Aye Gill Pike for a number of reasons. The mountain overlooks Dentdale and is in many ways Dent’s mountain and therefore a good reason to visit this unfrequented dale. In addition the mountain itself is graceful and cuts an elegant profile (just look on a map to see this). Shaped like the hull of an over turned boat the views are also excellent. If a mountain stood in the centre of the Dales 30 then Aye Gil Pike does this. The topography of the mountains is laid out impressively from its broad shoulder.

Because of the nature of the long broad shoulder it is an excellent place to look to your left over the Howgills and your right across Dentdale to Great Coum Whernside and beyond. On reaching the summit the head of Dentdale is spread out before you. Great Knoutberry Hill is directly ahead but the main interest comes from following the line of the Settle to Carlisle Railway. Not only is the highest station in England seen (Dent) but also the viaducts at Arten Gill and Upper Dentdale.

However the over riding reason is simply that the fell is rarely visited and that is a shame. It should be.

Routes up Aye Gill Pike

There is a choice of routes up Aye Gill Pike . They are shown on the map and described below. The GPX file describes my favourite route.

click the image to see a larger version of the mao

My Favourite Route

Dent

Height to Climb

440m (1,445 ft)

O/S Explorer Map
Parking

SD 704801. Park in Dent and head west along the road to Barth Bridge.

  1. Park in Dent and walk west along the road to Barth Bridge (1 1/2km) and join the farm road going North to the farm at Hining Hill. Continue to follow the obvious farm track (it is part of the excellent Dales Highway Long Distance trail) which climbs steadily uphill until it passes a gate in to moorland.
  2. A footpath follows the line of the drystone wall, initially west but soon turning north before arriving at a grassy col. The Dales Highway continues north and away from Aye Gill Pike and there is a small hillock to the left. This is Long Moor, However to climb Aye Gill cross the stile and turn right and head just south of East.
  3. There is now a long steady climb of 3knm along a faint path, sometimes wet, but with increasingly impressive views. Keep the boundary to your right on the climb and it is impossible to go wrong. After 3km arrive at the summit trig point of Aye Gill Pike. It may be a pike but it is not rocky. However it is a superb viewpoint for all around.
  4. My descent is 300m return to the west of the summit, across the broken wall and down the steep slopes towards the dale floor. There are gates on the lower wall and a farm track to follow back to the road. Alternatively return the way you came, quick and with time to enjoy the views over the Howgills.

Aye Gill Pike from Lunds Farm

Alternative Routes

From the Garsdale/Dent Road

The Dales 30 Book

Buy your 132 page, full colour, guide to the mountains of the Dales. As well as a personal guide for your challenge, it can provide inspiration for your trips to the Dales.

Buy Now

Each of the 30 mountains includes the following:

A full description of the Best Route

A personal view of the mountain from the author

High quality, colour photography

A sketch map showing the route & alternatives

Facts and anecdotes about the mountain and the nearby area

Get In Touch

Join Us On:

Explore

Useful Links

© The Dales 30 2026. All rights reserved. Website Design Cumbria Freshspace.