Wythburn western walking ascent 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 Wythburn church car park.
Wythburn western walking ascent starts at about 189 m and gains 734 m over 4.7 km to 850 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 252 m (25%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 268 m at an average of 27%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.9 km at about 32%. The final 0.7 km eases to the top. About 47% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Wythburn western walking ascent at a glance
| Distance | 4.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 760 m |
| Climb on the track | 734 m up, 72 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 190 m to 885 m (summit 859 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 32%, from 0.9 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 47% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 10m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Wythburn church car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 324 136 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 346 130 |
| Parking | Wythburn church car park |
Wythburn western walking ascent 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Wythburn western walking ascent 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.
Wythburn western walking ascent 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 | 441 m | +252 m | 25% steep | NY 331 135 |
| 2 km | 710 m | +268 m | 27% steep | NY 337 136 |
| 3 km | 858 m | +148 m | 15% | NY 342 143 |
| 4 km | 854 m | -4 m | 0% | NY 342 135 |
| 4.7 km | 850 m | -4 m | -1% | NY 346 130 |
How long Wythburn western walking ascent takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 3h 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 13:57 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 13:55 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 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 Wythburn western walking ascent: 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 Wythburn church car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
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 |
| 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 324 136, 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.
Wythburn western walking ascent: questions and answers
How far is Wythburn western walking ascent?
Wythburn western walking ascent is 4.7 km one way to the summit of Dollywaggon Pike, with 760 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.4 km.
How long does Wythburn western walking ascent take?
About 2h 10m to the summit of Dollywaggon Pike and 3h 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 3h 50m for the round trip.
How steep is Wythburn western walking ascent?
The steepest 500 m averages about 32%, starting 0.9 km from the start, and 47% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Wythburn western walking ascent climbs 734 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Wythburn western walking ascent?
Wythburn western walking ascent starts from Wythburn church car park. The grid reference is NY 324 136. Wythburn church car park
Is Wythburn western walking ascent 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 Wythburn western walking ascent today?
By 13:57 at the latest. Sunset on Dollywaggon Pike today is 18:07, Wythburn western walking ascent takes about 3h 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 Wythburn western walking ascent?
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.