Seathwaite via Grains Gill up Esk Pike: route map, distance and time
885 m · Cumbria
Esk Pike is a rocky peak between Esk Hause and Bowfell, and walkers cross it on routes from Langdale or Borrowdale towards the Scafell range.
Climb Grains Gill to Esk Hause, then follow a rough path south-east to the summit.
Seathwaite via Grains Gill at a glance
| Distance | 5.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 750 m |
| Time up | 2h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Seathwaite (roadside parking, Borrowdale) |
| Start grid reference | NY 234 121 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 236 075 |
Seathwaite via Grains Gill 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
- The Yew Tree Pub1.9 km
- Sky Hi Cafe1.7 km
- Public toilets0.1 km
- Public toilets1.7 km
- Public toilets1.7 km
- Seathwaite Farm Campsite0.1 km
- Seatoller Farm1.7 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Seathwaite via Grains Gill takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 55m | 4h 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 07:47, sunset 18:08. Start by 13:43 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 13:41 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Esk Pike summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 16 mph gusting 21 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Dense drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 39 mph gusting 49 mph, 51% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
Best day of the next seven for Seathwaite via Grains Gill: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 21 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Esk Pike forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Esk 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 -4°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 Esk Pike
Esk Pike is a rocky peak between Esk Hause and Bowfell, and walkers cross it on routes from Langdale or Borrowdale towards the Scafell range. More about Esk Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Bowfell North Top (866 m), 0.9 km south-east
- Allen Crags (785 m), 1 km north
- Ill Crag (931 m), 1.3 km west
- Great End (910 m), 1.3 km north-west
- Bowfell (903 m), 1.3 km south-east
- Rossett Pike (651 m), 1.3 km east
Challenges that include Esk Pike
- 10 Peaks (England – Lake District) · 10
- Lake District 24 Peaks Challenge · 24
- Bob Graham Round · 42
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Wainwrights · 214
More walks from Seathwaite
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause up Allen Crags
- Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb up Base Brown
- Glaramara and Allen Crags round up Glaramara
- Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause up Great End
- Seathwaite via Styhead Tarn up Great Gable
- Seathwaite via the Corridor Route up Scafell Pike
- Seathwaite via Stockley Bridge up Seathwaite Fell
Other routes up Esk Pike
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Langdale via Rossett Gill and Esk Hause | 7.2 km one way | 840 m | 2h 50m | Moderate |
| Seatoller via Stockley Bridge, Grains Gill and Esk Hause | 8.5 km one way | 800 m | 3h 0m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 234 121, the summit at NY 236 075), 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.
Seathwaite via Grains Gill: questions and answers
How far is Seathwaite via Grains Gill?
Seathwaite via Grains Gill is 5.5 km one way to the summit of Esk Pike, with 750 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.0 km.
How long does Seathwaite via Grains Gill take?
About 2h 20m to the summit of Esk Pike and 3h 25m 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 4h 15m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Seathwaite via Grains Gill?
Seathwaite via Grains Gill starts from Seathwaite (roadside parking, Borrowdale). The grid reference is NY 234 121.
Is Seathwaite via Grains Gill 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 Seathwaite via Grains Gill today?
By 13:43 at the latest. Sunset on Esk Pike today is 18:08, Seathwaite via Grains Gill takes about 3h 25m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Seathwaite via Grains Gill?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).