Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike up High Pike: route map, distance and time
657 m · Cumbria
High Pike is a Wainwright on the eastern arm of the Fairfield Horseshoe, above Scandale and Ambleside, reached by a long, walled ridge.
Lanes lead to Low Sweden Bridge, then a path follows the wall up the ridge over Low Pike to the summit.
Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike at a glance
| Distance | 4.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 602 m |
| Time up | 2h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Ambleside town centre |
| Start grid reference | NY 376 044 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 374 088 |
Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike 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
- The White Lion0.1 km
- The Ambleside Inn0.1 km
- Sheila's Cottage0.0 km
- Costa0.0 km
- Kopi Tiam0.0 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 3h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 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 18:05. Start by 14:05 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02. Start by 14:02 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
High Pike summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for High Pike right now. The main High Pike page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live High Pike forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About High Pike
High Pike is a Wainwright on the eastern arm of the Fairfield Horseshoe, above Scandale and Ambleside, reached by a long, walled ridge. More about High Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Low Pike (508 m), 1 km south
- Dove Crag (792 m), 1.6 km north
- Heron Pike North Top (621 m), 1.7 km west
- Little Hart Crag (637 m), 1.8 km north-east
- Heron Pike (612 m), 1.9 km west
- Red Screes (779 m), 2.2 km east
Challenges that include High Pike
More walks from Ambleside town centre
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike up Baystones
- Ambleside via Low Pike and High Pike up Dove Crag
- Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside up Hart Crag
- Ambleside via Scandale Pass up Little Hart Crag
- Ambleside via Rothay Park up Loughrigg Fell
- Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge up Low Pike
- Ambleside via the south ridge up Red Screes
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 376 044, the summit at NY 374 088), 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.
Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike: questions and answers
How far is Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike?
Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike is 4.9 km one way to the summit of High Pike, with 602 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.8 km.
How long does Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike take?
About 2h 0m to the summit of High Pike and 3h 0m 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 40m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike?
Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike starts from Ambleside town centre. The grid reference is NY 376 044.
Is Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike 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 Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike today?
By 14:05 at the latest. Sunset on High Pike today is 18:05, Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike takes about 3h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).