St John's in the Vale via White Pike up Clough Head: route map, distance and time
726 m · Cumbria
Clough Head is a 726m fell at the northern end of the Helvellyn Dodds, rising in steep crags above St John's in the Vale and Threlkeld.
Join the Old Coach Road, then climb grassy slopes over White Pike to the summit.
St John's in the Vale via White Pike at a glance
| Distance | 3.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 654 m |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 40m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Wanthwaite, St John's in the Vale |
| Start grid reference | NY 317 230 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 333 225 |
St John's in the Vale via White Pike 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long St John's in the Vale via White Pike 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 15m |
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 14:25 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02. Start by 14:22 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Clough Head summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Clough Head right now. The main Clough Head page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Clough Head forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Clough Head
Clough Head is a 726m fell at the northern end of the Helvellyn Dodds, rising in steep crags above St John's in the Vale and Threlkeld. More about Clough Head, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Great Dodd (857 m), 2.2 km south-east
- High Rigg (356 m), 2.6 km west
- Watson's Dodd (789 m), 3 km south
Challenges that include Clough Head
Other routes up Clough Head
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenridding via Sticks Pass | 10.6 km one way | — | — | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 317 230, the summit at NY 333 225), 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.
St John's in the Vale via White Pike: questions and answers
How far is St John's in the Vale via White Pike?
St John's in the Vale via White Pike is 3.9 km one way to the summit of Clough Head, with 654 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.8 km.
How long does St John's in the Vale via White Pike take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Clough Head 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 15m for the round trip.
Where do you park for St John's in the Vale via White Pike?
St John's in the Vale via White Pike starts from Wanthwaite, St John's in the Vale. The grid reference is NY 317 230.
Is St John's in the Vale via White Pike 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 St John's in the Vale via White Pike today?
By 14:25 at the latest. Sunset on Clough Head today is 18:05, St John's in the Vale via White Pike 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 St John's in the Vale via White Pike?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).