Hartsop by the north ridge up Gray Crag: route map, distance and time
698 m · Cumbria
Gray Crag is a narrow grassy ridge running north from Thornthwaite Crag, rising steep above Hartsop and Hayeswater in the far eastern fells.
Walk up the lane towards Hayeswater, then climb the steep grass at the north end of the ridge and follow the crest south to the summit.
The Hartsop by the north ridge starts at about 184 m and gains 498 m over 2.7 km to 676 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 103 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 287 m at an average of 29%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.1 km at about 33%. It keeps climbing at 14% to the top. About 44% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Hartsop by the north ridge at a glance
| Distance | 2.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 520 m |
| Climb on the track | 498 m up, 5 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 185 m to 683 m (summit 698 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 33%, from 1.1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 44% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Hartsop village car park, CA11 0NZ |
| Start grid reference | NY 410 129 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 427 117 |
| Parking | Hartsop village car park |
Hartsop by the north 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Hartsop by the north 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.
Hartsop by the north 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 | 287 m | +103 m | 10% | NY 419 129 |
| 2 km | 575 m | +287 m | 29% steep | NY 424 123 |
| 2.7 km | 676 m | +101 m | 14% | NY 427 117 |
How long the Hartsop by the north ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 1h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 25m |
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 07:48, sunset 18:04. Start by 15:09 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02. Start by 15:07 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Gray Crag summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Gray Crag right now. The main Gray Crag page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Gray Crag forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Gray Crag
Gray Crag is a narrow grassy ridge running north from Thornthwaite Crag, rising steep above Hartsop and Hayeswater in the far eastern fells. More about Gray Crag, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- The Knott (739 m), 1.4 km north-east
- High Street (829 m), 1.5 km east
- Hartsop Dodd (619 m), 1.6 km west
- Thornthwaite Crag (784 m), 1.7 km south
- Rampsgill Head (792 m), 2 km north-east
- Stony Cove Pike (764 m), 2 km south-west
Challenges that include Gray Crag
More walks from Hartsop village car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Hartsop towards Angle Tarn up Brock Crags
- Hartsop north ridge up Hartsop Dodd
- Hartsop via Hayeswater and The Knott up High Raise
- Hartsop via Hayeswater up High Street
- Hartsop via Hayeswater up Kidsty Pike
- Hartsop via Hayeswater up Mardale Ill Bell
- Hartsop via Hayeswater and The Knott up Rampsgill Head
- Hartsop via Hayeswater up Rest Dodd
- Hartsop via Threshthwaite Mouth up Stony Cove Pike
- Hartsop via Gray Crag and Thornthwaite up Stony Cove Pike
- Hartsop via Hayeswater up The Knott
- Hartsop via Threshthwaite Mouth up Thornthwaite Crag
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 410 129, the summit at NY 427 117), 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.
Hartsop by the north ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Hartsop by the north ridge?
The Hartsop by the north ridge is 2.7 km one way to the summit of Gray Crag, with 520 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 5.4 km.
How long does the Hartsop by the north ridge take?
About 1h 25m to the summit of Gray Crag and 1h 55m 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 25m for the round trip.
How steep is the Hartsop by the north ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 33%, starting 1.1 km from the start, and 44% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Hartsop by the north ridge climbs 498 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Hartsop by the north ridge?
The Hartsop by the north ridge starts from Hartsop village car park (postcode CA11 0NZ). The grid reference is NY 410 129. Hartsop village car park
Is the Hartsop by the north ridge 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 the Hartsop by the north ridge today?
By 15:09 at the latest. Sunset on Gray Crag today is 18:04, The Hartsop by the north ridge takes about 1h 55m 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 Hartsop by the north 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.