Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott up Calf Crag: route map, distance and time
537 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY301104
Calf Crag is the end of the ridge from Helm Crag above Grasmere, the turning point of a classic round of Far Easedale.
Climb Helm Crag, then follow the knobbly ridge over Gibson Knott to Calf Crag and return down Far Easedale.
Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott at a glance
| Distance | 6.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 488 m |
| Time up | 2h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Grasmere village |
| Start grid reference | NY 336 075 |
| Summit grid reference | NY301104 |
Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott 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
- 1769 Bar & Restaurant0.1 km
- Tweedies Bar0.2 km
- The Distiller’s Arms0.2 km
- Baldry's0.0 km
- Freda And Ray Cafe0.0 km
- Harleys Bistro Cafe Bar0.0 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.3 km
- Public toilets0.7 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 3h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 4h 0m |
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 13:50 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03. Start by 13:48 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Calf Crag summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Calf Crag right now. The main Calf Crag page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Calf Crag forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Calf Crag
Calf Crag is the end of the ridge from Helm Crag above Grasmere, the turning point of a classic round of Far Easedale. More about Calf Crag, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Tarn Crag (549 m), 1.1 km south
- Gibson Knott (420 m), 1.6 km east
- Codale Head (732 m), 1.8 km south-west
- Steel Fell (553 m), 1.9 km north-east
- Ullscarf (723 m), 2 km north-west
- Sergeant Man (736 m), 2.1 km south-west
Challenges that include Calf Crag
More walks from Grasmere village
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up Blea Rigg
- Grasmere via Stone Arthur up Fairfield
- Grasmere over Helm Crag up Gibson Knott
- Grasmere via Stone Arthur up Great Rigg
- Grasmere via Easedale Road up Helm Crag
- Grasmere via Alcock Tarn up Heron Pike
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up High Raise
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up Sergeant Man
- Greenburn horseshoe from Grasmere up Steel Fell
- Grasmere via Greenhead Gill up Stone Arthur
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up Tarn Crag
- Grasmere via Stone Arthur up Heron Pike North Top
Other routes up Calf Crag
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grasmere via Far Easedale | 6.5 km one way | 470 m | 2h 5m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 336 075, the summit at NY301104), 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.
Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott: questions and answers
How far is Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott?
Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott is 6.0 km one way to the summit of Calf Crag, with 488 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.0 km.
How long does Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott take?
About 2h 0m to the summit of Calf Crag and 3h 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 4h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott?
Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott starts from Grasmere village. The grid reference is NY 336 075.
Is Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott 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 Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott today?
By 13:50 at the latest. Sunset on Calf Crag today is 18:05, Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott takes about 3h 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 Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).