Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn up Nethermost Pike: route map, distance and time
891 m · Cumbria
Nethermost Pike is a flat-topped fell on the main Helvellyn ridge, south of Helvellyn, with crags falling into Grisedale on its eastern side.
Climb Tongue Gill to Grisedale Tarn, take the zigzags up Dollywaggon Pike and follow the ridge north.
Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn at a glance
| Distance | 6.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 991 m |
| Time up | 2h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Mill Bridge, north of Grasmere |
| Start grid reference | NY 336 091 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 343 142 |
Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn 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
- The Travellers Rest Inn0.2 km
- 1769 Bar & Restaurant1.6 km
- Tweedies Bar1.7 km
- Poet's Cafe & Bar0.8 km
- YHA Cafe1.2 km
- Lewis's Cafe & Bistro1.4 km
- Public toilets1.5 km
- Public toilets1.8 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 4h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 30m | 5h 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.
- Today: sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07. Start by 13:02 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 13:00 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Nethermost Pike summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Mainly clear, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 22 mph gusting 28 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 35 mph gusting 43 mph, 59% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
Best day of the next seven for Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 28 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Nethermost Pike forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Nethermost Pike?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -5°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- 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 Nethermost Pike
Nethermost Pike is a flat-topped fell on the main Helvellyn ridge, south of Helvellyn, with crags falling into Grisedale on its eastern side. More about Nethermost Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Helvellyn (950 m), 0.9 km north
- Striding Edge (863 m), 1 km north-east
- Dollywaggon Pike (859 m), 1.2 km south
- Helvellyn Lower Man (925 m), 1.5 km north-west
- Catstye Cam (890 m), 1.7 km north
- White Side (863 m), 2.5 km north
Challenges that include Nethermost Pike
More walks from Mill Bridge, north of Grasmere
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Grasmere via Tongue Gill and Grisedale Tarn up Dollywaggon Pike
- Mill Bridge via Tongue Gill up Seat Sandal
Other routes up Nethermost Pike
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wythburn | 3.4 km one way | 700 m | 1h 50m | Moderate |
| Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge | 4.9 km one way | 760 m | 2h 15m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 336 091, the summit at NY 343 142), 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.
Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn: questions and answers
How far is Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn?
Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn is 6.0 km one way to the summit of Nethermost Pike, with 991 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.0 km.
How long does Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn take?
About 2h 50m to the summit of Nethermost Pike and 4h 5m 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 5h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn?
Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn starts from Mill Bridge, north of Grasmere. The grid reference is NY 336 091.
Is Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn 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 Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn today?
By 13:02 at the latest. Sunset on Nethermost Pike today is 18:07, Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn takes about 4h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).