Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike up Hopegill Head: route map, distance and time
770 m · Cumbria
Hopegill Head is a sharp summit at the junction of ridges in the north-western fells, perched above the cliffs of Hobcarton Crag.
Climb Grisedale Pike by its east ridge and follow the ridge west above Hobcarton Crag to Hopegill Head.
Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike starts at about 130 m and gains 742 m over 5.2 km to 732 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 0.2 km eases to the top. About 31% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike at a glance
| Distance | 5.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 760 m |
| Climb on the track | 742 m up, 137 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 130 m to 765 m (summit 770 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 37%, from 3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 31% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 227 237 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 185 221 |
| Parking | Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park |
Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike 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 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 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 |
| 5 km | 711 m | +13 m | 1% | NY 187 220 |
| 5.2 km | 732 m | +21 m | 9% | NY 185 221 |
How long Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 4h 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 18:06. Start by 13:46 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 13:43 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Hopegill Head summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Hopegill Head right now. The main Hopegill Head page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Hopegill Head forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Hopegill Head
Hopegill Head is a sharp summit at the junction of ridges in the north-western fells, perched above the cliffs of Hobcarton Crag. More about Hopegill Head, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Sand Hill (756 m), 0.3 km south-east
- Ladyside Pike (704 m), 0.6 km north
- Hobcarton Crag (738 m), 0.8 km east
- Whiteside East Top (719 m), 1 km west
- Grisedale Pike (790 m), 1.3 km east
- Whiteside (707 m), 1.5 km west
Challenges that include Hopegill Head
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 Sail
- Braithwaite via Coledale Hause up Wandope
- Braithwaite via Coledale Hause up Sand Hill
- Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge up Hobcarton Crag
- Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike ridge up Ladyside Pike
Other routes up Hopegill Head
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braithwaite via Coledale Hause | 6.3 km one way | — | — | Moderate |
| Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge | 5.1 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 185 221), 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: questions and answers
How far is Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike?
Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike is 5.2 km one way to the summit of Hopegill Head, with 760 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.4 km.
How long does Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike take?
About 2h 20m to the summit of Hopegill Head and 3h 20m 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 4h 5m for the round trip.
How steep is Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike?
The steepest 500 m averages about 37%, starting 3 km from the start, and 31% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike climbs 742 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike?
Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike starts from Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park. The grid reference is NY 227 237. Braithwaite / lower Whinlatter Pass car park
Is Braithwaite via Grisedale 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 Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike today?
By 13:46 at the latest. Sunset on Hopegill Head today is 18:06, Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike takes about 3h 20m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike?
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.