Glenridding via Mires Beck up Birkhouse Moor: route map, distance and time
718 m · Cumbria
Birkhouse Moor is a broad grassy fell above Glenridding at 718 m, crossed by the main path from Ullswater towards Striding Edge and Helvellyn.
A pitched path zigzags up beside Mires Beck onto the grassy moor, then follows the wall towards the Hole-in-the-Wall. Leave the wall for the summit on open grass.
Glenridding via Mires Beck starts at about 156 m and gains 560 m over 3.2 km to 715 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 67 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 278 m at an average of 28%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.9 km at about 45%. The final 0.2 km eases to the top. About 35% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Glenridding via Mires Beck at a glance
| Distance | 3.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 570 m |
| Climb on the track | 560 m up, 5 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 156 m to 715 m (summit 718 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 45%, from 1.9 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 35% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Glenridding main car park, CA11 0PD |
| Start grid reference | NY 386 169 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 363 159 |
| Parking | Glenridding main car park; the postcode is approximate |
Glenridding via Mires Beck map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- Travellers Rest0.3 km
- Patterdale Hotel1.4 km
- White Lion Inn1.5 km
- Fairlight Cafe & Restaurant0.0 km
- Fellbites0.0 km
- Helvellyn Country Kitchen0.1 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Public toilets0.6 km
- Gillside Camping0.5 km
- Side Farm Campsite1.0 km
- Patterdale Youth Hostel camp site1.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Glenridding via Mires Beck GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Glenridding via Mires Beck kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 223 m | +67 m | 7% | NY 377 167 |
| 2 km | 429 m | +206 m | 21% steep | NY 369 167 |
| 3 km | 707 m | +278 m | 28% steep | NY 364 161 |
| 3.2 km | 715 m | +8 m | 4% | NY 363 159 |
How long Glenridding via Mires Beck takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 1h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 45m |
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 14:50 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02. Start by 14:47 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Birkhouse Moor summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Birkhouse Moor right now. The main Birkhouse Moor page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Birkhouse Moor forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Birkhouse Moor
Birkhouse Moor is a broad grassy fell above Glenridding at 718 m, crossed by the main path from Ullswater towards Striding Edge and Helvellyn. More about Birkhouse Moor, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Catstye Cam (890 m), 1.5 km west
- Striding Edge (863 m), 1.7 km south-west
- Glenridding Dodd (442 m), 2.3 km north-east
- Sheffield Pike (676 m), 2.3 km north
- Birks (624 m), 2.3 km south-east
- Helvellyn (950 m), 2.3 km south-west
Challenges that include Birkhouse Moor
More walks from Glenridding main car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Patterdale walking approach via Birks up Birks
- Glenridding eastern fell walking paths up Catstye Cam
- Glenridding via Sticks Pass up Clough Head
- Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause up Dollywaggon Pike
- Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause up Fairfield
- Glenridding via the Sheffield Pike col up Glenridding Dodd
- Glenridding via Sticks Pass up Great Dodd
- Glenridding via Sticks Pass up Hart Side
- Glenridding via White Side and Keppel Cove walking paths up Helvellyn
- Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause up Helvellyn
- Glenridding via Sticks Pass up Raise
- Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause up Seat Sandal
Other routes up Birkhouse Moor
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patterdale via Grisedale | 5.1 km one way | 598 m | 2h 0m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 386 169, the summit at NY 363 159), 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.
Glenridding via Mires Beck: questions and answers
How far is Glenridding via Mires Beck?
Glenridding via Mires Beck is 3.2 km one way to the summit of Birkhouse Moor, with 570 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.4 km.
How long does Glenridding via Mires Beck take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of Birkhouse Moor and 2h 15m 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 45m for the round trip.
How steep is Glenridding via Mires Beck?
The steepest 500 m averages about 45%, starting 1.9 km from the start, and 35% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Glenridding via Mires Beck climbs 560 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Glenridding via Mires Beck?
Glenridding via Mires Beck starts from Glenridding main car park (postcode CA11 0PD). The grid reference is NY 386 169. Glenridding main car park; the postcode is approximate
Is Glenridding via Mires Beck 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 Glenridding via Mires Beck today?
By 14:50 at the latest. Sunset on Birkhouse Moor today is 18:05, Glenridding via Mires Beck takes about 2h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Glenridding via Mires Beck?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.