Glenridding via Red Tarn 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.
Walk up past Birkhouse Moor towards Red Tarn, climb to the col below Swirral Edge and take the steep path to the top.
Glenridding via Red Tarn at a glance
| Distance | 4.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 604 m |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 40m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Glenridding main car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 367 173 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 348 158 |
Glenridding via Red Tarn 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
- Travellers Rest1.6 km
- Fairlight Cafe & Restaurant1.9 km
- Fellbites1.9 km
- Helvellyn Country Kitchen2.0 km
- Public toilets1.4 km
- Public toilets1.9 km
- Gillside Camping1.4 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Glenridding via Red Tarn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 40m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 20m |
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 14:27 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:25 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 40m 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 via Red Tarn: 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 Striding Edge up Helvellyn
- Glenridding via Swirral Edge up Helvellyn
Other routes up Catstye Cam
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenridding eastern fell walking paths | 5.2 km one way | 740 m | 2h 15m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 367 173, 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 via Red Tarn: questions and answers
How far is Glenridding via Red Tarn?
Glenridding via Red Tarn is 4.2 km one way to the summit of Catstye Cam, with 604 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.4 km.
How long does Glenridding via Red Tarn take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Catstye Cam and 2h 40m 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 3h 20m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Glenridding via Red Tarn?
Glenridding via Red Tarn starts from Glenridding main car park. The grid reference is NY 367 173.
Is Glenridding via Red Tarn 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 Red Tarn today?
By 14:27 at the latest. Sunset on Catstye Cam today is 18:07, Glenridding via Red Tarn takes about 2h 40m 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 Red Tarn?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).