St John's in the Vale church up High Rigg (Lake District E): route map, distance and time
356 m · Lake District E
High Rigg is a 356m knobbly ridge between St John's in the Vale and the Naddle valley, a low Wainwright and Marilyn with views to Blencathra.
A path climbs from the church onto the ridge and runs south over grassy knolls to the summit.
St John's in the Vale church at a glance
| Distance | 0.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 134 m |
| Time up | 0h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 0h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Easy |
| Start | St John's in the Vale church |
| Start grid reference | NY 306 224 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 308 219 |
St John's in the Vale church 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long St John's in the Vale church takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 20m | 0h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 0h 20m | 0h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 0h 25m | 0h 35m |
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 16:35 to be down before dark, allowing 0h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 16:33 to be down before dark, allowing 0h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
High Rigg summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 11°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 2°C, summit wind 13 mph gusting 27 mph, 47% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:05.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Dense drizzle, up to 11°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 14 mph gusting 17 mph, 69% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for St John's in the Vale church: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 27 mph and a 47% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour High Rigg forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- A warm layer, hat and gloves: it feels like 2°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 47% chance of rain.
- 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 Rigg
High Rigg is a 356m knobbly ridge between St John's in the Vale and the Naddle valley, a low Wainwright and Marilyn with views to Blencathra. More about High Rigg, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Clough Head (726 m), 2.6 km east
Challenges that include High Rigg
Other routes up High Rigg
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legburthwaite and the ridge | 3.6 km one way | 236 m | 1h 5m | Easy |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 306 224, the summit at NY 308 219), 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.
St John's in the Vale church: questions and answers
How far is St John's in the Vale church?
St John's in the Vale church is 0.7 km one way to the summit of High Rigg, with 134 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 1.4 km.
How long does St John's in the Vale church take?
About 0h 20m to the summit of High Rigg and 0h 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 0h 35m for the round trip.
Where do you park for St John's in the Vale church?
St John's in the Vale church starts from St John's in the Vale church. The grid reference is NY 306 224.
Is St John's in the Vale church suitable for beginners?
Yes. Peakify grades it Easy: a fit beginner can walk it on a clear day. Take a map, warm layers and waterproofs all the same.
What time should I start St John's in the Vale church today?
By 16:35 at the latest. Sunset on High Rigg today is 18:05, St John's in the Vale church takes about 0h 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 St John's in the Vale church?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).