Glenridding eastern fell walking paths up Catstye Cam: route map, distance and time
890 m · Cumbria
Catstye Cam is the pointed peak beside Helvellyn, rising above Red Tarn at the far end of Swirral Edge, and one of the most shapely summits in Lakeland.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Glenridding main car park.
Glenridding eastern fell walking paths starts at about 156 m and gains 727 m over 5.2 km to 878 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 67 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 243 m at an average of 24%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.4 km at about 31%. It keeps climbing at 19% to the top. About 29% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Glenridding eastern fell walking paths at a glance
| Distance | 5.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 740 m |
| Climb on the track | 727 m up, 5 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 156 m to 879 m (summit 890 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 31%, from 1.4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 29% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Glenridding main car park, CA11 0PD |
| Start grid reference | NY 386 169 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 348 158 |
| Parking | Glenridding main car park; the postcode is approximate |
Glenridding eastern fell walking paths 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 eastern fell walking paths 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 eastern fell walking paths 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 | 467 m | +243 m | 24% steep | NY 372 159 |
| 3 km | 622 m | +156 m | 16% | NY 363 157 |
| 4 km | 702 m | +80 m | 8% | NY 354 154 |
| 5 km | 831 m | +129 m | 13% | NY 350 158 |
| 5.2 km | 878 m | +47 m | 19% | NY 348 158 |
How long Glenridding eastern fell walking paths takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 5m |
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 13:47 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 13:45 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Catstye Cam summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 22 mph gusting 27 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 38 mph gusting 48 mph, 59% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
Best day of the next seven for Glenridding eastern fell walking paths: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 27 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Catstye Cam forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Catstye Cam?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -5°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- 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 Catstye Cam
Catstye Cam is the pointed peak beside Helvellyn, rising above Red Tarn at the far end of Swirral Edge, and one of the most shapely summits in Lakeland. More about Catstye Cam, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Striding Edge (863 m), 0.9 km south
- Helvellyn (950 m), 0.9 km south-west
- Helvellyn Lower Man (925 m), 1.1 km west
- White Side (863 m), 1.3 km north-west
- Birkhouse Moor (718 m), 1.5 km east
- Nethermost Pike (891 m), 1.7 km south
Challenges that include Catstye Cam
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.
- Glenridding via Mires Beck up Birkhouse Moor
- Patterdale walking approach via Birks up Birks
- 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 Catstye Cam
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenridding via Red Tarn | 4.2 km one way | 604 m | 1h 50m | 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 348 158), 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 eastern fell walking paths: questions and answers
How far is Glenridding eastern fell walking paths?
Glenridding eastern fell walking paths is 5.2 km one way to the summit of Catstye Cam, with 740 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.4 km.
How long does Glenridding eastern fell walking paths take?
About 2h 15m to the summit of Catstye Cam and 3h 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 4h 5m for the round trip.
How steep is Glenridding eastern fell walking paths?
The steepest 500 m averages about 31%, starting 1.4 km from the start, and 29% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Glenridding eastern fell walking paths climbs 727 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Glenridding eastern fell walking paths?
Glenridding eastern fell walking paths 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 eastern fell walking paths suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as Glenridding via Red Tarn.
What time should I start Glenridding eastern fell walking paths today?
By 13:47 at the latest. Sunset on Catstye Cam today is 18:07, Glenridding eastern fell walking paths takes about 3h 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 Glenridding eastern fell walking paths?
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.