Honister Pass 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.
Follow the quarry tracks west from the pass and climb grassy slopes along the top of Honister Crag to the summit.
Honister Pass starts at about 362 m and gains 266 m over 2.4 km to 615 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 165 m (17%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 165 m at an average of 17%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.3 km at about 22%. The final 0.4 km eases to the top. About 26% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Honister Pass at a glance
| Distance | 2.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 300 m |
| Climb on the track | 266 m up, 13 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 358 m to 628 m (summit 649 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 22%, from 0.3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 26% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Easy |
| Start | Honister Pass National Trust car park, CA12 5XN |
| Start grid reference | NY 225 135 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 205 141 |
| Parking | Honister Pass National Trust car park |
Honister Pass 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
- The Yew Tree Pub1.9 km
- Sky Hi Cafe0.1 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.1 km
- Public toilets0.1 km
- Seathwaite Farm Campsite1.6 km
- Seatoller Farm1.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Honister Pass 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.
Honister Pass 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 | 527 m | +165 m | 17% | NY 216 134 |
| 2 km | 605 m | +78 m | 8% | NY 208 140 |
| 2.4 km | 615 m | +10 m | 3% | NY 205 141 |
How long Honister Pass takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 50m | 1h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 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 07:47, sunset 18:08. Start by 15:38 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 15:36 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 30m 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 Honister Pass National Trust car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Honister Pass via Grey Knotts up Brandreth
- Honister Pass via the Drum House up Brandreth
- Honister via Dale Head ridge up Dale Head
- Honister Pass via Green Gable up Great Gable
- Honister Pass via Brandreth up Green Gable
- Honister Pass direct up Grey Knotts
- Honister via Dale Head ridge up Hindscarth
- Honister via Dale Head ridge up Robinson
- Honister mapped summit walking paths up Honister Crag
Other routes up Fleetwith Pike
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatesgarth via Fleetwith Edge | 2.1 km one way | 531 m | 1h 20m | Hard |
| 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 225 135, 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.
Honister Pass: questions and answers
How far is Honister Pass?
Honister Pass is 2.4 km one way to the summit of Fleetwith Pike, with 300 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 4.8 km.
How long does Honister Pass take?
About 1h 0m to the summit of Fleetwith Pike and 1h 30m 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 1h 50m for the round trip.
How steep is Honister Pass?
The steepest 500 m averages about 22%, starting 0.3 km from the start, and 26% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Honister Pass climbs 266 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Honister Pass?
Honister Pass starts from Honister Pass National Trust car park (postcode CA12 5XN). The grid reference is NY 225 135. Honister Pass National Trust car park
Is Honister Pass suitable for beginners?
Yes. Peakify grades it Easy: a fit beginner can walk it on a clear day. Take a map, warm layers and waterproofs all the same.
What time should I start Honister Pass today?
By 15:38 at the latest. Sunset on Fleetwith Pike today is 18:08, Honister Pass takes about 1h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Honister Pass?
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.