Blea Tarn via Side Pike up Lingmoor Fell: route map, distance and time
470 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY302046
Lingmoor Fell is a heathery ridge between Great and Little Langdale, climbed for its close views of the Langdale Pikes and its rocky outlier Side Pike.
You climb Side Pike, pass through the squeeze on its far side, and follow the ridge wall east to the top.
Blea Tarn via Side Pike at a glance
| Distance | 3.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 336 m |
| Time up | 1h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Blea Tarn car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 293 044 |
| Summit grid reference | NY302046 |
Blea Tarn via Side Pike 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 Blea Tarn via Side Pike takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 15m |
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 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 15:15 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03. Start by 15:13 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Lingmoor Fell summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 10°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 2°C, summit wind 19 mph gusting 24 mph, 57% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Slight rain, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 5°C, summit wind 16 mph gusting 23 mph, 97% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for Blea Tarn via Side Pike: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 24 mph and a 57% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Lingmoor Fell forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Lingmoor Fell?
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: 57% 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 Lingmoor Fell
Lingmoor Fell is a heathery ridge between Great and Little Langdale, climbed for its close views of the Langdale Pikes and its rocky outlier Side Pike. More about Lingmoor Fell, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Silver How (394 m), 3 km north-east
Challenges that include Lingmoor Fell
More walks from Blea Tarn car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge up Cold Pike
- Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge up Crinkle Crags - Long Top
- Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge up Pike of Blisco
- Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge up Crinkle Crags South Top
- Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge up Shelter Crags
- Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge up Little Stand
- Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge up Great Knott
Other routes up Lingmoor Fell
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elterwater | 3.8 km one way | 415 m | 1h 25m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 293 044, the summit at NY302046), 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.
Blea Tarn via Side Pike: questions and answers
How far is Blea Tarn via Side Pike?
Blea Tarn via Side Pike is 3.1 km one way to the summit of Lingmoor Fell, with 336 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.2 km.
How long does Blea Tarn via Side Pike take?
About 1h 10m to the summit of Lingmoor Fell and 1h 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 2h 15m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Blea Tarn via Side Pike?
Blea Tarn via Side Pike starts from Blea Tarn car park. The grid reference is NY 293 044.
Is Blea Tarn via Side 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 Blea Tarn via Side Pike today?
By 15:15 at the latest. Sunset on Lingmoor Fell today is 18:05, Blea Tarn via Side Pike takes about 1h 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 Blea Tarn via Side Pike?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).