Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge 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.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park.
The Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge starts at about 98 m and gains 731 m over 5.1 km to 732 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 3%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 462 m at an average of 46%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.5 km at about 61%. It keeps climbing at 12% to the top. About 26% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge at a glance
| Distance | 5.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 731 m up, 101 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 98 m to 732 m (summit 770 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 61%, from 2.5 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 26% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park, CA13 0RT |
| Start grid reference | NY 148 214 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 185 221 |
| Parking | Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park |
Lanthwaite via Whiteside 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Lanthwaite via Whiteside 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.
Lanthwaite via Whiteside 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 | 118 m | +20 m | 2% | NY 155 218 |
| 2 km | 160 m | +42 m | 4% | NY 160 224 |
| 3 km | 621 m | +462 m | 46% steep | NY 166 220 |
| 4 km | 686 m | +64 m | 6% | NY 175 221 |
| 5 km | 725 m | +39 m | 4% | NY 185 221 |
| 5.1 km | 732 m | +7 m | 12% | NY 185 221 |
How long the Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 0m |
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.
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 Lanthwaite Wood 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.
- Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause up Crag Hill
- Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause up Grasmoor
- Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge up Grisedale Pike
- Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause up Sail
- Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause up Wandope
- Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge up Whiteside
- Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause up Sand Hill
- Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge up Hobcarton Crag
- Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge up Whiteside East Top
Other routes up Hopegill Head
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braithwaite via Coledale Hause | 6.3 km one way | — | — | Moderate |
| Braithwaite via Grisedale Pike | 5.2 km one way | 760 m | 2h 20m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 148 214, 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.
Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge?
The Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge is 5.1 km one way to the summit of Hopegill Head. There and back by the same way is about 10.2 km.
How steep is the Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 61%, starting 2.5 km from the start, and 26% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge climbs 731 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge?
The Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge starts from Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park (postcode CA13 0RT). The grid reference is NY 148 214. Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park
Is the Lanthwaite via Whiteside 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, such as Braithwaite via Coledale Hause.
Is there a GPX for the Lanthwaite via Whiteside 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.