Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge up Hobcarton Crag: route map, distance and time
738 m · Cumbria
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park.
The Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge starts at about 130 m and gains 652 m over 4.3 km to 700 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 214 m (21%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 214 m at an average of 21%, with a 500 m stretch from 3 km at about 37%. The final 0.3 km eases to the top. About 35% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge at a glance
| Distance | 4.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 670 m |
| Climb on the track | 652 m up, 84 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 130 m to 765 m (summit 738 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 37%, from 3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 35% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 227 237 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 193 220 |
| Parking | Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park |
Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- Royal Oak0.4 km
- Coledale Inn0.4 km
- Jasper's0.6 km
- Tea Shop1.7 km
- Hope Memorial Camp0.1 km
- Lanefoot Farm0.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge 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.
Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge 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 | 344 m | +214 m | 21% steep | NY 221 234 |
| 2 km | 381 m | +37 m | 4% | NY 213 228 |
| 3 km | 566 m | +185 m | 18% | NY 204 226 |
| 4 km | 698 m | +133 m | 13% | NY 196 222 |
| 4.3 km | 700 m | +2 m | 1% | NY 193 220 |
How long the Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 30m |
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 14:16 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 14:13 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Hobcarton Crag summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Hobcarton Crag right now. The main Hobcarton Crag page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Hobcarton Crag forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Hobcarton Crag
More about Hobcarton Crag, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Hobcarton Crag
More walks from Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Braithwaite via Coledale Hause up Crag Hill
- Braithwaite via Coledale Hause up Grasmoor
- Braithwaite via Sleet How up Grisedale Pike
- Braithwaite via Coledale Hause up Hopegill Head
- Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike up Hopegill Head
- Braithwaite via Coledale Hause up Sail
- Braithwaite via Coledale Hause up Wandope
- Braithwaite via Coledale Hause up Sand Hill
- Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge up Ladyside Pike
Other routes up Hobcarton Crag
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge | 6.0 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 227 237, the summit at NY 193 220), 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.
Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge?
The Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge is 4.3 km one way to the summit of Hobcarton Crag, with 670 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.6 km.
How long does the Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge take?
About 2h 0m to the summit of Hobcarton Crag and 2h 50m 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 30m for the round trip.
How steep is the Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 37%, starting 3 km from the start, and 35% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge climbs 652 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge?
The Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge starts from Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park. The grid reference is NY 227 237. Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park
Is the Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge 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.
What time should I start the Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge today?
By 14:16 at the latest. Sunset on Hobcarton Crag today is 18:06, The Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge takes about 2h 50m 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 Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge?
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.