Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause up Dollywaggon Pike: route map, distance and time
859 m · Cumbria
Dollywaggon Pike is the southern end of the Helvellyn ridge, rising above Grisedale Tarn, and most walkers climb it on the way to Helvellyn.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Glenridding main car park.
Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause starts at about 157 m and gains 799 m over 9.4 km to 850 m on the track. The first 5 km are the easy part, averaging 3%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 9 km, which climbs 204 m at an average of 20%, with a 500 m stretch from 8.6 km at about 43%. It keeps climbing at 19% to the top. About 14% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause at a glance
| Distance | 9.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 820 m |
| Climb on the track | 799 m up, 105 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 156 m to 850 m (summit 859 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 43%, from 8.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 14% of the way |
| Time up | 3h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 10m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Glenridding main car park, CA11 0PD |
| Start grid reference | NY 386 169 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 346 130 |
| Parking | Glenridding main car park; the postcode is approximate |
Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause 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 via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause 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 via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause 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 | 205 m | +48 m | 5% | NY 379 166 |
| 2 km | 252 m | +48 m | 5% | NY 379 158 |
| 3 km | 234 m | -19 m | -2% | NY 371 153 |
| 4 km | 230 m | -4 m | 0% | NY 364 147 |
| 5 km | 293 m | +63 m | 6% | NY 359 139 |
| 6 km | 411 m | +118 m | 12% | NY 354 131 |
| 7 km | 539 m | +129 m | 13% | NY 351 122 |
| 8 km | 572 m | +32 m | 3% | NY 346 118 |
| 9 km | 776 m | +204 m | 20% steep | NY 345 127 |
| 9.4 km | 850 m | +74 m | 19% | NY 346 130 |
How long Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 4h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 15m | 5h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 0m | 6h 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 11:57 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 11:55 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Dollywaggon Pike summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Mainly clear, 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
Moderate drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 34 mph gusting 42 mph, 59% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
Best day of the next seven for Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 27 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Dollywaggon Pike forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Dollywaggon Pike?
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 Dollywaggon Pike
Dollywaggon Pike is the southern end of the Helvellyn ridge, rising above Grisedale Tarn, and most walkers climb it on the way to Helvellyn. More about Dollywaggon Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Nethermost Pike (891 m), 1.2 km north
- Seat Sandal (737 m), 1.5 km south
- Fairfield (873 m), 1.8 km south-east
- Striding Edge (863 m), 1.9 km north
- Helvellyn (950 m), 2.1 km north
- St Sunday Crag (841 m), 2.3 km east
Challenges that include Dollywaggon Pike
- Lake District 24 Peaks Challenge · 24
- Bob Graham Round · 42
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Wainwrights · 214
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 eastern fell walking paths up Catstye Cam
- Glenridding via Sticks Pass up Clough Head
- 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 Dollywaggon Pike
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grasmere via Tongue Gill and Grisedale Tarn | 5.4 km one way | 938 m | 2h 40m | Moderate |
| Patterdale via Grisedale | 8.7 km one way | 729 m | 2h 55m | Moderate |
| Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge | 6.3 km one way | 820 m | 2h 40m | Hard |
| Wythburn western walking ascent | 4.7 km one way | 760 m | 2h 10m | Hard |
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 346 130), 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 Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause: questions and answers
How far is Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause?
Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause is 9.4 km one way to the summit of Dollywaggon Pike, with 820 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 18.8 km.
How long does Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause take?
About 3h 15m to the summit of Dollywaggon Pike and 5h 10m 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 6h 20m for the round trip.
How steep is Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause?
The steepest 500 m averages about 43%, starting 8.6 km from the start, and 14% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause climbs 799 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause?
Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause 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 via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause 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 Grasmere via Tongue Gill and Grisedale Tarn.
What time should I start Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause today?
By 11:57 at the latest. Sunset on Dollywaggon Pike today is 18:07, Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause takes about 5h 10m 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 Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause?
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.