Patterdale via Grisedale 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.

Walk the length of Grisedale to the tarn, then climb the zigzags up the western side.

Patterdale via Grisedale at a glance

Distance	8.7 km one way, to the top
Ascent	729 m
Time up	2h 55m by Naismith's rule
There and back	4h 40m, down the same way
Grade	Moderate
Start	Patterdale village
Start grid reference	NY 394 160
Summit grid reference	NY 346 130

Patterdale via Grisedale 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

Start grid ref NY 394 160 · Driving directions · By bus or train

Near the start

From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.

How long Patterdale via Grisedale takes

Pace	To the top	There and back
Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up	2h 25m	3h 50m
Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up	2h 55m	4h 40m
Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up	3h 40m	5h 50m

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 12:27 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 12:25 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 40m 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 Patterdale via Grisedale: 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

More walks from Patterdale village

Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.

Patterdale via Boredale Hause up Angletarn Pikes
Patterdale direct up Arnison Crag
Patterdale via Boredale Hause up Beda Fell
Patterdale via Grisedale up Birkhouse Moor
Patterdale via Thornhow End up Birks
Patterdale via St Sunday Crag up Fairfield
Patterdale via Boredale Hause up Place Fell
Patterdale via Angle Tarn up Rest Dodd
Patterdale via Birks up St Sunday Crag
Patterdale via Rest Dodd up The Nab

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
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
Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause	9.4 km one way	820 m	3h 15m	Hard

In an emergency

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 394 160, 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.

Patterdale via Grisedale: questions and answers

How far is Patterdale via Grisedale?

Patterdale via Grisedale is 8.7 km one way to the summit of Dollywaggon Pike, with 729 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 17.4 km.

How long does Patterdale via Grisedale take?

About 2h 55m to the summit of Dollywaggon Pike and 4h 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 5h 50m for the round trip.

Where do you park for Patterdale via Grisedale?

Patterdale via Grisedale starts from Patterdale village. The grid reference is NY 394 160.

Is Patterdale via Grisedale 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 Patterdale via Grisedale today?

By 12:27 at the latest. Sunset on Dollywaggon Pike today is 18:07, Patterdale via Grisedale takes about 4h 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 Patterdale via Grisedale?

Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).