Grasmere over Helm Crag up Gibson Knott: route map, distance and time
420 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY316100
Gibson Knott is a rocky, knobbly top on the ridge between Helm Crag and Calf Crag above Grasmere and Far Easedale.
Climb Helm Crag from Easedale Road, then follow the undulating ridge north-west to Gibson Knott.
Grasmere over Helm Crag at a glance
| Distance | 4.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 413 m |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Grasmere village (Easedale Road) |
| Start grid reference | NY 336 075 |
| Summit grid reference | NY316100 |
Grasmere over Helm Crag 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
- 1769 Bar & Restaurant0.1 km
- Tweedies Bar0.2 km
- The Distiller’s Arms0.2 km
- Baldry's0.0 km
- Freda And Ray Cafe0.0 km
- Harleys Bistro Cafe Bar0.0 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.3 km
- Public toilets0.7 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Grasmere over Helm Crag takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 2h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 3h 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 07:46, sunset 18:07. Start by 14:37 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:35 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Gibson Knott summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 7 mph gusting 13 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07.
-
Good Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 12°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 16 mph gusting 25 mph, 31% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
Best day of the next seven for Grasmere over Helm Crag: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 13 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Gibson Knott forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- A warm layer, hat and gloves: it feels like 0°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- 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 Gibson Knott
Gibson Knott is a rocky, knobbly top on the ridge between Helm Crag and Calf Crag above Grasmere and Far Easedale. More about Gibson Knott, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Steel Fell (553 m), 1.1 km north
- Helm Crag (405 m), 1.2 km south-east
- Tarn Crag (549 m), 1.5 km south-west
- Calf Crag (537 m), 1.6 km west
- Blea Rigg (542 m), 2.7 km south-west
- Codale Head (732 m), 3 km west
Challenges that include Gibson Knott
More walks from Grasmere village
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up Blea Rigg
- Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott up Calf Crag
- Grasmere via Far Easedale up Calf Crag
- Grasmere via Stone Arthur up Fairfield
- Grasmere via Stone Arthur up Great Rigg
- Grasmere via Easedale Road up Helm Crag
- Grasmere via Alcock Tarn up Heron Pike
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up High Raise
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up Sergeant Man
- Greenburn horseshoe from Grasmere up Steel Fell
- Grasmere via Greenhead Gill up Stone Arthur
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up Tarn Crag
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 336 075, the summit at NY316100), 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.
Grasmere over Helm Crag: questions and answers
How far is Grasmere over Helm Crag?
Grasmere over Helm Crag is 4.5 km one way to the summit of Gibson Knott, with 413 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.0 km.
How long does Grasmere over Helm Crag take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of Gibson Knott and 2h 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 3h 5m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Grasmere over Helm Crag?
Grasmere over Helm Crag starts from Grasmere village (Easedale Road). The grid reference is NY 336 075.
Is Grasmere over Helm Crag 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 Grasmere over Helm Crag today?
By 14:37 at the latest. Sunset on Gibson Knott today is 18:07, Grasmere over Helm Crag takes about 2h 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 Grasmere over Helm Crag?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).