Wrynose Pass via Red Tarn up Cold Pike: route map, distance and time
700 m · Cumbria
Cold Pike is a rocky fell above Wrynose Pass with three small tops, an easy add-on to Pike of Blisco from Red Tarn.
Follow the path north from the pass towards Red Tarn, then climb west over rocky ground to the summit.
Wrynose Pass via Red Tarn at a glance
| Distance | 2.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 321 m |
| Time up | 1h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 40m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Wrynose Pass |
| Start grid reference | NY 276 026 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 262 036 |
Wrynose Pass 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
How long Wrynose Pass via Red Tarn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 55m | 1h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 5m | 1h 40m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 2h 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 07:48, sunset 18:06. Start by 15:26 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03. Start by 15:23 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Cold Pike summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Cold Pike right now. The main Cold Pike page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Cold Pike forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Cold Pike
Cold Pike is a rocky fell above Wrynose Pass with three small tops, an easy add-on to Pike of Blisco from Red Tarn. More about Cold Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Cold Pike West Top (683 m), 0.4 km west
- Great Knott (695 m), 0.7 km north-west
- Cold Pike Far West Top (669 m), 0.7 km west
- Pike of Blisco (703 m), 1 km north-east
- Little Stand (740 m), 1.3 km west
- Crinkle Crags South Top (834 m), 1.6 km north-west
Challenges that include Cold Pike
More walks from Wrynose Pass
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge up Great Carrs
- Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs up Grey Friar
- Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge up Swirl How
Other routes up Cold Pike
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Langdale via Red Tarn | 4.9 km one way | 610 m | 2h 0m | Moderate |
| Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge | 5.7 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 276 026, the summit at NY 262 036), 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.
Wrynose Pass via Red Tarn: questions and answers
How far is Wrynose Pass via Red Tarn?
Wrynose Pass via Red Tarn is 2.8 km one way to the summit of Cold Pike, with 321 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 5.6 km.
How long does Wrynose Pass via Red Tarn take?
About 1h 5m to the summit of Cold Pike and 1h 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 2h 5m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Wrynose Pass via Red Tarn?
Wrynose Pass via Red Tarn starts from Wrynose Pass. The grid reference is NY 276 026.
Is Wrynose Pass 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 Wrynose Pass via Red Tarn today?
By 15:26 at the latest. Sunset on Cold Pike today is 18:06, Wrynose Pass via Red Tarn takes about 1h 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 Wrynose Pass via Red Tarn?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).