Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs up Grey Friar: route map, distance and time
773 m · Cumbria
Grey Friar is a quieter Coniston fell west of Swirl How, overlooking the Duddon Valley, and walkers reach it from Wrynose Pass or the Coniston ridge.
Climb the ridge from the top of the pass to Great Carrs, then cross the grassy col south-west to Grey Friar.
Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs at a glance
| Distance | 3.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 464 m |
| Time up | 1h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 10m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Wrynose Pass (roadside parking by the Three Shire Stone) |
| Start grid reference | NY 276 026 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 260 003 |
Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs 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
How long Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 40m |
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 18:06. Start by 14:56 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03. Start by 14:53 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Grey Friar summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Grey Friar right now. The main Grey Friar page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Grey Friar forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Grey Friar
Grey Friar is a quieter Coniston fell west of Swirl How, overlooking the Duddon Valley, and walkers reach it from Wrynose Pass or the Coniston ridge. More about Grey Friar, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Great Carrs (785 m), 1.2 km north-east
- Swirl How (802 m), 1.3 km east
- Brim Fell (796 m), 2.1 km south-east
- Black Sails (745 m), 2.3 km east
- Dow Crag (778 m), 2.6 km south
- The Old Man of Coniston (802 m), 2.8 km south-east
Challenges that include Grey Friar
More walks from Wrynose Pass
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Wrynose Pass via Red Tarn up Cold Pike
- Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge up Great Carrs
- Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge up Swirl How
Other routes up Grey Friar
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walna Scar via Goat's Water and Goats Hawse | 7.0 km one way | 760 m | 2h 40m | Hard |
| Wrynose via Wet Side Edge | 6.8 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 276 026, the summit at NY 260 003), 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.
Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs: questions and answers
How far is Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs?
Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs is 3.4 km one way to the summit of Grey Friar, with 464 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.8 km.
How long does Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs take?
About 1h 25m to the summit of Grey Friar and 2h 10m 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 40m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs?
Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs starts from Wrynose Pass (roadside parking by the Three Shire Stone). The grid reference is NY 276 026.
Is Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs 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 Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs today?
By 14:56 at the latest. Sunset on Grey Friar today is 18:06, Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs takes about 2h 10m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).