Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Glaramara: route map, distance and time
783 m · Cumbria
Glaramara is a long, rough fell between Borrowdale and Langstrath, climbed from Seatoller and often linked to Allen Crags along a ridge of knolls and tarns.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Rosthwaite National Trust car park.
The Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge starts at about 88 m and gains 700 m over 5.6 km to 766 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 3%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 247 m at an average of 25%. It keeps climbing at 15% to the top. About 23% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge at a glance
| Distance | 5.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 730 m |
| Climb on the track | 700 m up, 24 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 88 m to 768 m (summit 783 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 27%, from 3.4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 23% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Rosthwaite National Trust car park, CA12 5XB |
| Start grid reference | NY 257 148 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 245 104 |
| Parking | Rosthwaite National Trust car park |
Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge 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 Langstrath Inn1.3 km
- The Yew Tree Pub1.7 km
- The Flock-in0.1 km
- Borrowdale YHA0.7 km
- Peathouse Tea & Coffee Shop1.3 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets1.7 km
- Chapel House Farm Campsite0.9 km
- National Trust Campsite1.8 km
- Seatoller Farm1.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge 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.
Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge 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 | 101 m | +13 m | 1% | NY 254 140 |
| 2 km | 144 m | +43 m | 4% | NY 251 134 |
| 3 km | 320 m | +176 m | 18% | NY 249 125 |
| 4 km | 567 m | +247 m | 25% steep | NY 245 118 |
| 5 km | 677 m | +110 m | 11% | NY 247 109 |
| 5.6 km | 766 m | +89 m | 15% | NY 246 104 |
How long the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge 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 50m | 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 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 13:41 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 13:38 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Glaramara summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 29 mph gusting 36 mph, 31% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Dense drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 29 mph gusting 36 mph, 75% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 36 mph and a 31% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Glaramara forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Glaramara?
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 -2°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 36 mph.
- 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 Glaramara
Glaramara is a long, rough fell between Borrowdale and Langstrath, climbed from Seatoller and often linked to Allen Crags along a ridge of knolls and tarns. More about Glaramara, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Looking Steads (775 m), 0.3 km south
- Combe Head (735 m), 0.6 km north-east
- Red Beck Top (720 m), 0.8 km south-west
- Combe Door Top (676 m), 0.8 km north-east
- High House Tarn Top (683 m), 1.3 km south-west
- Dovenest Top (633 m), 1.4 km north-east
Challenges that include Glaramara
More walks from Rosthwaite 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.
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Allen Crags
- Rosthwaite via the Watendlath path up Grange Fell
- Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge up High Raise
- Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn up High Spy
- Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge up Sergeant Man
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Rosthwaite Fell
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Looking Steads
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Red Beck Top
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up High House Tarn Top
Other routes up Glaramara
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seatoller via Thornythwaite Fell | 5.2 km one way | 664 m | 2h 10m | Moderate |
| Glaramara and Allen Crags round | 2.8 km one way | 652 m | 1h 40m | Hard |
| Langdale via Rossett Ghyll and Angle Tarn | 9.5 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 257 148, the summit at NY 245 104), 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.
Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge?
The Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge is 5.6 km one way to the summit of Glaramara, with 730 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.2 km.
How long does the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge take?
About 2h 20m to the summit of Glaramara 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.
How steep is the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 27%, starting 3.4 km from the start, and 23% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge climbs 700 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge?
The Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge starts from Rosthwaite National Trust car park (postcode CA12 5XB). The grid reference is NY 257 148. Rosthwaite National Trust car park
Is the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge 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 Seatoller via Thornythwaite Fell.
What time should I start the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge today?
By 13:41 at the latest. Sunset on Glaramara today is 18:06, The Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge 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 the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge?
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.