Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge up Fleetwith Pike: route map, distance and time
649 m · Cumbria
Fleetwith Pike is the steep, pointed fell at the head of Buttermere, climbed by its sharp north-west ridge from Gatesgarth or by a short walk from Honister Pass.
Climb the steep north-west ridge from the valley floor past the white cross, on a rocky path with a few hands-down moments.
Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge at a glance
| Distance | 2.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 531 m |
| Time up | 1h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Gatesgarth Farm car park, Buttermere |
| Start grid reference | NY 194 151 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 205 141 |
Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 5m | 1h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 1h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 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 07:47, sunset 18:08. Start by 15:23 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 15:21 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Fleetwith Pike summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Fleetwith Pike right now. The main Fleetwith Pike page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Fleetwith Pike forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Fleetwith Pike
Fleetwith Pike is the steep, pointed fell at the head of Buttermere, climbed by its sharp north-west ridge from Gatesgarth or by a short walk from Honister Pass. More about Fleetwith Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Honister Crag (634 m), 0.7 km east
- Haystacks (597 m), 1.6 km south-west
- Dale Head (754 m), 2 km north-east
- Grey Knotts (697 m), 2 km south-east
- Brandreth (715 m), 2.4 km south
- High Crag (745 m), 2.5 km west
Challenges that include Fleetwith Pike
More walks from Gatesgarth Farm car park, Buttermere
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap up Haystacks
- Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and Gamlin End up High Crag
- Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag up High Stile
Other routes up Fleetwith Pike
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honister Pass | 2.4 km one way | 300 m | 1h 0m | Easy |
| Buttermere via Scarth Gap | 9.2 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 194 151, the summit at NY 205 141), 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.
Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge: questions and answers
How far is Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge?
Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge is 2.1 km one way to the summit of Fleetwith Pike, with 531 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 4.2 km.
How long does Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge take?
About 1h 20m to the summit of Fleetwith Pike and 1h 45m 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 Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge?
Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge starts from Gatesgarth Farm car park, Buttermere. The grid reference is NY 194 151.
Is Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge 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 Honister Pass.
What time should I start Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge today?
By 15:23 at the latest. Sunset on Fleetwith Pike today is 18:08, Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge takes about 1h 45m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).