Wythburn 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 the steep, pitched path from Thirlmere to the ridge, then walk south to the flat summit.
Wythburn starts at about 189 m and gains 699 m over 3.4 km to 889 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 252 m (25%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 268 m at an average of 27%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.9 km at about 32%. The final 0.4 km eases to the top. About 64% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Wythburn at a glance
| Distance | 3.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 700 m |
| Climb on the track | 699 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 190 m to 889 m (summit 891 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 32%, from 0.9 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 64% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Wythburn church car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 324 136 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 343 142 |
| Parking | Wythburn church car park |
Wythburn 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.
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.
Wythburn 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 | 441 m | +252 m | 25% steep | NY 331 135 |
| 2 km | 710 m | +268 m | 27% steep | NY 337 136 |
| 3 km | 858 m | +148 m | 15% | NY 342 143 |
| 3.4 km | 889 m | +32 m | 8% | NY 343 142 |
How long Wythburn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 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 07:46, sunset 18:07. Start by 14:37 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:35 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m 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 Wythburn: 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 Wythburn church car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Wythburn western walking ascent up Dollywaggon Pike
- Wythburn up Helvellyn
Other routes up Nethermost Pike
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grasmere via Grisedale Tarn | 6.0 km one way | 991 m | 2h 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 324 136, 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.
Wythburn: questions and answers
How far is Wythburn?
Wythburn is 3.4 km one way to the summit of Nethermost Pike, with 700 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.8 km.
How long does Wythburn take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Nethermost Pike and 2h 30m 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 5m for the round trip.
How steep is Wythburn?
The steepest 500 m averages about 32%, starting 0.9 km from the start, and 64% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Wythburn climbs 699 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Wythburn?
Wythburn starts from Wythburn church car park. The grid reference is NY 324 136. Wythburn church car park
Is Wythburn 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 Wythburn today?
By 14:37 at the latest. Sunset on Nethermost Pike today is 18:07, Wythburn takes about 2h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Wythburn?
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.