Grasmere via Alcock Tarn up Heron Pike: route map, distance and time
612 m · Cumbria
Heron Pike is a rocky top on the western arm of the Fairfield Horseshoe above Rydal and Grasmere, climbed via Nab Scar.
Walk up from the Grasmere side to Alcock Tarn, then climb the slope behind it to join the ridge near the top.
Grasmere via Alcock Tarn at a glance
| Distance | 4.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 554 m |
| Time up | 1h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Grasmere village |
| Start grid reference | NY 336 075 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 355 083 |
Grasmere via Alcock Tarn 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
- 1769 Bar & Restaurant0.1 km
- Tweedies Bar0.2 km
- The Distiller’s Arms0.2 km
- Baldry's0.0 km
- Freda And Ray Cafe0.0 km
- Harleys Bistro Cafe Bar0.0 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.3 km
- Public toilets0.7 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Grasmere via Alcock Tarn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 10m |
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 07:46, sunset 18:07. Start by 14:32 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:30 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Heron Pike summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Heron Pike right now. The main Heron Pike page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Heron Pike forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Heron Pike
Heron Pike is a rocky top on the western arm of the Fairfield Horseshoe above Rydal and Grasmere, climbed via Nab Scar. More about Heron Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Heron Pike North Top (621 m), 0.4 km north
- Nab Scar (450 m), 1.1 km south
- Stone Arthur (504 m), 1.3 km north-west
- Low Pike (508 m), 1.8 km east
- High Pike (657 m), 1.9 km east
- Great Rigg (766 m), 2.1 km north
Challenges that include Heron Pike
More walks from Grasmere village
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up Blea Rigg
- Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott up Calf Crag
- Grasmere via Far Easedale up Calf Crag
- Grasmere via Stone Arthur up Fairfield
- Grasmere over Helm Crag up Gibson Knott
- Grasmere via Stone Arthur up Great Rigg
- Grasmere via Easedale Road up Helm Crag
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up High Raise
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up Sergeant Man
- Greenburn horseshoe from Grasmere up Steel Fell
- Grasmere via Greenhead Gill up Stone Arthur
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up Tarn Crag
Other routes up Heron Pike
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rydal via Nab Scar | 5.5 km one way | — | — | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 336 075, the summit at NY 355 083), 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.
Grasmere via Alcock Tarn: questions and answers
How far is Grasmere via Alcock Tarn?
Grasmere via Alcock Tarn is 4.1 km one way to the summit of Heron Pike, with 554 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.2 km.
How long does Grasmere via Alcock Tarn take?
About 1h 45m to the summit of Heron Pike and 2h 35m 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 10m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Grasmere via Alcock Tarn?
Grasmere via Alcock Tarn starts from Grasmere village. The grid reference is NY 336 075.
Is Grasmere via Alcock Tarn 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 Grasmere via Alcock Tarn today?
By 14:32 at the latest. Sunset on Heron Pike today is 18:07, Grasmere via Alcock Tarn takes about 2h 35m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Grasmere via Alcock Tarn?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).