Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge up High Raise: route map, distance and time

763 m · Cumbria

High Raise is the 763m summit of the central fells, a broad grassy top between Langdale and Borrowdale with a trig pillar, a shelter and a wide panorama.

A hard mountain walk to the summit from Rosthwaite National Trust car park.

Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge starts at about 88 m and gains 674 m over 7.4 km to 752 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 2%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6 km, which climbs 188 m at an average of 19%, with a 500 m stretch from 5.1 km at about 25%. The final 0.4 km eases to the top. About 18% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.

Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge at a glance

Distance	7.4 km one way, to the top
Ascent	690 m
Climb on the track	674 m up, 13 m down on the way
Start and top of the track	88 m to 752 m (summit 763 m)
Steepest 500 m	About 25%, from 5.1 km
Steeper than 1 in 5	18% of the way
Time up	2h 40m by Naismith's rule
There and back	4h 5m, down the same way
Grade	Hard
Start	Rosthwaite National Trust car park, CA12 5XB
Start grid reference	NY 257 148
Summit grid reference	NY 280 095
Parking	Rosthwaite National Trust car park

Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge map

The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.

Height profile and getting to the start

Start 88 m7.4 km to the top

Start grid ref NY 257 148 · Driving directions · By bus or train

Near the start

From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.

Download the Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge 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.

Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge 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	94 m	+6 m	1%	NY 258 140
2 km	100 m	+6 m	1%	NY 265 136
3 km	128 m	+28 m	3%	NY 273 130
4 km	270 m	+142 m	14%	NY 279 123
5 km	416 m	+146 m	15%	NY 282 114
6 km	604 m	+188 m	19%	NY 285 106
7 km	729 m	+125 m	12%	NY 282 098
7.4 km	752 m	+22 m	6%	NY 280 095

How long Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge takes

Pace	To the top	There and back
Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up	2h 10m	3h 25m
Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up	2h 40m	4h 5m
Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up	3h 15m	5h 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 18:05. Start by 13:00 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03. Start by 12:58 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.

High Raise summit weather for this route

Marginal Today Monday 19 October

Light drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 33 mph gusting 41 mph, 56% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:05.
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October

Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 26 mph gusting 32 mph, 76% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03.

Best day of the next seven for Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge: Thursday 22 October, with summit gusts around 29 mph and a 72% chance of rain.

Hour-by-hour High Raise forecast

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 -1°C on top.
Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 56% chance of rain.
A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 41 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 High Raise

High Raise is the 763m summit of the central fells, a broad grassy top between Langdale and Borrowdale with a trig pillar, a shelter and a wide panorama. More about High Raise, with the live forecast.

On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, Birkett.

Extend the walk: tops near the summit

Sergeant Man (736 m), 0.8 km south-east
Codale Head (732 m), 0.9 km south-east
Thunacar Knott (723 m), 1.5 km south
Pavey Ark (702 m), 1.7 km south
Sergeant's Crag (571 m), 2 km north
Sergeants Crag (571 m), 2 km north

Challenges that include High Raise

More walks from Rosthwaite National Trust car park

Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.

Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Allen Crags
Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Glaramara
Rosthwaite via the Watendlath path up Grange Fell
Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn up High Spy
Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge up Sergeant Man
Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Rosthwaite Fell
Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Looking Steads
Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Red Beck Top
Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up High House Tarn Top

Other routes up High Raise

Route	Distance	Ascent	Time up	Grade
Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn and Sergeant Man	4.7 km one way	696 m	2h 5m	Moderate
Grasmere via Easedale Tarn	7.5 km one way	707 m	2h 40m	Moderate
Stonethwaite via Greenup Edge	6.0 km one way	661 m	2h 20m	Moderate
Mickleden via Stake Pass	7.1 km one way	700 m	2h 35m	Hard

In an emergency

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 257 148, the summit at NY 280 095), 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.

Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge: questions and answers

How far is Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge?

Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge is 7.4 km one way to the summit of High Raise, with 690 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 14.8 km.

How long does Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge take?

About 2h 40m to the summit of High Raise and 4h 5m 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 5m for the round trip.

How steep is Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge?

The steepest 500 m averages about 25%, starting 5.1 km from the start, and 18% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge climbs 674 m in all on the track.

Where do you park for Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge?

Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge starts from Rosthwaite National Trust car park (postcode CA12 5XB). The grid reference is NY 257 148. Rosthwaite National Trust car park

Is Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge 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 Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn and Sergeant Man.

What time should I start Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge today?

By 13:00 at the latest. Sunset on High Raise today is 18:05, Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge takes about 4h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.

Is there a GPX for Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge?

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.