Braithwaite via Sleet How up Grisedale Pike: route map, distance and time
790 m · Cumbria
Grisedale Pike is the pointed fell rising behind Braithwaite, the first summit of the Coledale Horseshoe and a steady climb from the village.
Climb the east ridge over Kinn and Sleet How on a clear path that turns loose and steep near the top.
Braithwaite via Sleet How starts at about 130 m and gains 641 m over 3.6 km to 761 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 214 m (21%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3.6 km, which climbs 195 m at an average of 33%, with a 500 m stretch from 3 km at about 37%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 43% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Braithwaite via Sleet How at a glance
| Distance | 3.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 650 m |
| Climb on the track | 641 m up, 6 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 130 m to 765 m (summit 790 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 37%, from 3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 43% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 227 237 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 198 225 |
| Parking | Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park |
Braithwaite via Sleet How 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
- Royal Oak0.4 km
- Coledale Inn0.4 km
- Jasper's0.6 km
- Tea Shop1.7 km
- Hope Memorial Camp0.1 km
- Lanefoot Farm0.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Braithwaite via Sleet How 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.
Braithwaite via Sleet How 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 | 344 m | +214 m | 21% steep | NY 221 234 |
| 2 km | 381 m | +37 m | 4% | NY 213 228 |
| 3 km | 566 m | +185 m | 18% | NY 204 226 |
| 3.6 km | 761 m | +195 m | 33% steep | NY 198 225 |
How long Braithwaite via Sleet How takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 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 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 14:36 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 14:33 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Grisedale Pike summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 32 mph gusting 40 mph, 49% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Dense drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 25 mph gusting 32 mph, 86% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for Braithwaite via Sleet How: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 40 mph and a 49% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Grisedale Pike forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Grisedale Pike?
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.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 49% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 40 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 Grisedale Pike
Grisedale Pike is the pointed fell rising behind Braithwaite, the first summit of the Coledale Horseshoe and a steady climb from the village. More about Grisedale Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Hobcarton Crag (738 m), 0.7 km south-west
- Hopegill Head (770 m), 1.3 km west
- Sand Hill (756 m), 1.3 km south-west
- Ladyside Pike (704 m), 1.4 km west
- Outerside (568 m), 1.7 km south-east
- Scar Crags (672 m), 2.1 km south-east
Challenges that include Grisedale Pike
More walks from Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Braithwaite via Coledale Hause up Crag Hill
- Braithwaite via Coledale Hause up Grasmoor
- Braithwaite via Coledale Hause up Hopegill Head
- Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike up Hopegill Head
- Braithwaite via Coledale Hause up Sail
- Braithwaite via Coledale Hause up Wandope
- Braithwaite via Coledale Hause up Sand Hill
- Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge up Hobcarton Crag
- Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge up Ladyside Pike
Other routes up Grisedale Pike
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coledale Horseshoe | 8.3 km one way | 851 m | 3h 5m | Hard |
| Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge | 6.7 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 227 237, the summit at NY 198 225), 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.
Braithwaite via Sleet How: questions and answers
How far is Braithwaite via Sleet How?
Braithwaite via Sleet How is 3.6 km one way to the summit of Grisedale Pike, with 650 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.2 km.
How long does Braithwaite via Sleet How take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Grisedale Pike 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.
How steep is Braithwaite via Sleet How?
The steepest 500 m averages about 37%, starting 3 km from the start, and 43% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Braithwaite via Sleet How climbs 641 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Braithwaite via Sleet How?
Braithwaite via Sleet How starts from Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park. The grid reference is NY 227 237. Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park
Is Braithwaite via Sleet How 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 Braithwaite via Sleet How today?
By 14:36 at the latest. Sunset on Grisedale Pike today is 18:06, Braithwaite via Sleet How 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 Braithwaite via Sleet How?
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.