Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike up Baystones: route map, distance and time
487 m · Lake District E · OS grid NY403051
Baystones is the 487m true summit of Wansfell, the ridge between Ambleside and Troutbeck, a short walk on from the better-known Wansfell Pike.
A pitched path climbs beside Stock Ghyll to Wansfell Pike, then a wall leads along the ridge to Baystones.
Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike at a glance
| Distance | 3.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 467 m |
| Time up | 1h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Ambleside |
| Start grid reference | NY 376 044 |
| Summit grid reference | NY403051 |
Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- Royal Oak0.1 km
- The White Lion0.1 km
- The Ambleside Inn0.1 km
- Sheila's Cottage0.0 km
- Costa0.0 km
- Kopi Tiam0.0 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 50m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:45 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02. Start by 14:42 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Baystones summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Monday 19 October
Dense drizzle, up to 10°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 23 mph gusting 32 mph, 57% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Slight rain, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 5°C, summit wind 17 mph gusting 21 mph, 97% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02.
Best day of the next seven for Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 32 mph and a 57% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Baystones forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -1°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 57% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 32 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Baystones
Baystones is the 487m true summit of Wansfell, the ridge between Ambleside and Troutbeck, a short walk on from the better-known Wansfell Pike. More about Baystones, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, HuMP.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Troutbeck Tongue (364 m), 2.3 km north-east
Challenges that include Baystones
More walks from Ambleside
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Ambleside via Low Pike and High Pike up Dove Crag
- Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside up Hart Crag
- Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike up High Pike
- Ambleside via Scandale Pass up Little Hart Crag
- Ambleside via Rothay Park up Loughrigg Fell
- Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge up Low Pike
- Ambleside via the south ridge up Red Screes
Other routes up Baystones
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troutbeck via Nanny Lane | 4.2 km one way | 392 m | 1h 30m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 376 044, the summit at NY403051), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike: questions and answers
How far is Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike?
Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike is 3.8 km one way to the summit of Baystones, with 467 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.6 km.
How long does Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike take?
About 1h 30m to the summit of Baystones and 2h 20m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 50m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike?
Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike starts from Ambleside. The grid reference is NY 376 044.
Is Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike today?
By 14:45 at the latest. Sunset on Baystones today is 18:05, Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike takes about 2h 20m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).