Patterdale via Thornhow End up Birks: route map, distance and time
624 m · Cumbria
Birks is a grassy shoulder on the north-east ridge of St Sunday Crag above Patterdale, often crossed on the way up the bigger fell.
Climb from Patterdale onto the ridge at Thornhow End and follow it south-west over grass to the flat summit.
Patterdale via Thornhow End at a glance
| Distance | 3.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 475 m |
| Time up | 1h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Patterdale village |
| Start grid reference | NY 394 160 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 380 143 |
Patterdale via Thornhow End 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
- Patterdale Hotel0.2 km
- White Lion Inn0.3 km
- Travellers Rest1.5 km
- Side Farm Tea Room0.4 km
- Helvellyn Country Kitchen1.2 km
- Fairlight Cafe & Restaurant1.3 km
- Public toilets0.3 km
- Public toilets1.1 km
- Public toilets1.2 km
- Patterdale Youth Hostel camp site0.6 km
- Side Farm Campsite0.8 km
- Gillside Camping1.6 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Patterdale via Thornhow End takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 35m |
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 07:46, sunset 18:07. Start by 15:02 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 15:00 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Birks summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Birks right now. The main Birks page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Birks forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Birks
Birks is a grassy shoulder on the north-east ridge of St Sunday Crag above Patterdale, often crossed on the way up the bigger fell. More about Birks, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- St Sunday Crag (841 m), 1.5 km south-west
- Arnison Crag (433 m), 1.5 km north-east
- Birkhouse Moor (718 m), 2.3 km north-west
- Hartsop Above How (586 m), 2.4 km south
Challenges that include Birks
More walks from Patterdale village
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Patterdale via Boredale Hause up Angletarn Pikes
- Patterdale direct up Arnison Crag
- Patterdale via Boredale Hause up Beda Fell
- Patterdale via Grisedale up Birkhouse Moor
- Patterdale via Grisedale up Dollywaggon Pike
- Patterdale via St Sunday Crag up Fairfield
- Patterdale via Boredale Hause up Place Fell
- Patterdale via Angle Tarn up Rest Dodd
- Patterdale via Birks up St Sunday Crag
- Patterdale via Rest Dodd up The Nab
Other routes up Birks
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patterdale walking approach via Birks | 4.6 km one way | 570 m | 1h 50m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 394 160, the summit at NY 380 143), 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.
Patterdale via Thornhow End: questions and answers
How far is Patterdale via Thornhow End?
Patterdale via Thornhow End is 3.2 km one way to the summit of Birks, with 475 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.4 km.
How long does Patterdale via Thornhow End take?
About 1h 25m to the summit of Birks and 2h 5m 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 35m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Patterdale via Thornhow End?
Patterdale via Thornhow End starts from Patterdale village. The grid reference is NY 394 160.
Is Patterdale via Thornhow End 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 Patterdale via Thornhow End today?
By 15:02 at the latest. Sunset on Birks today is 18:07, Patterdale via Thornhow End takes about 2h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Patterdale via Thornhow End?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).