Coledale Horseshoe 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 Grisedale Pike, follow the ridge to Hopegill Head and around Coledale Hause, and return over Crag Hill and Sail.
Coledale Horseshoe at a glance
| Distance | 8.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 851 m |
| Time up | 3h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Braithwaite (Whinlatter road car park) |
| Start grid reference | NY 232 236 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 198 225 |
Coledale Horseshoe 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
- Royal Oak0.1 km
- Coledale Inn0.3 km
- Farmers Arms1.7 km
- Jasper's0.1 km
- Tea Shop2.0 km
- The Chalet, Tearooms and Restaurant2.0 km
- Hope Memorial Camp0.4 km
- Lanefoot Farm1.0 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long the Coledale Horseshoe takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 3h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 5m | 4h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 45m | 5h 50m |
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 12:21 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 12:18 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 45m 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 the Coledale Horseshoe: 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
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Braithwaite via the north ridge up Barrow
- Braithwaite via Barrow and Stile End up Outerside
- Braithwaite via Causey Pike ridge up Sail
- Braithwaite via Sail Pass up Scar Crags
Other routes up Grisedale Pike
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braithwaite via Sleet How | 3.6 km one way | 650 m | 1h 50m | Moderate |
| 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 232 236, 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.
Coledale Horseshoe: questions and answers
How far is the Coledale Horseshoe?
The Coledale Horseshoe is 8.3 km one way to the summit of Grisedale Pike, with 851 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 16.6 km.
How long does the Coledale Horseshoe take?
About 3h 5m to the summit of Grisedale Pike and 4h 45m 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 5h 50m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Coledale Horseshoe?
The Coledale Horseshoe starts from Braithwaite (Whinlatter road car park). The grid reference is NY 232 236.
Is the Coledale Horseshoe 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 Braithwaite via Sleet How.
What time should I start the Coledale Horseshoe today?
By 12:21 at the latest. Sunset on Grisedale Pike today is 18:06, The Coledale Horseshoe takes about 4h 45m 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 Coledale Horseshoe?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).