Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge up Pike of Blisco: route map, distance and time
703 m · Cumbria
Pike of Blisco is a 703m rocky peak between Great Langdale and the Wrynose Pass, a Wainwright and Hewitt with a craggy top facing Crinkle Crags.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Blea Tarn National Trust car park.
The Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge starts at about 205 m and gains 487 m over 2.9 km to 672 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 167 m (17%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 167 m at an average of 17%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.5 km at about 33%. It keeps climbing at 17% to the top. About 34% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge at a glance
| Distance | 2.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 510 m |
| Climb on the track | 487 m up, 22 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 188 m to 675 m (summit 703 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 33%, from 0.5 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 34% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Blea Tarn National Trust car park, LA22 9PG |
| Start grid reference | NY 295 043 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 271 042 |
| Parking | Blea Tarn National Trust car park (NY295043) |
Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike 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 Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike 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.
Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike 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 | 372 m | +167 m | 17% | NY 287 044 |
| 2 km | 521 m | +149 m | 15% | NY 278 041 |
| 2.9 km | 672 m | +151 m | 17% | NY 271 042 |
How long the Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 30m |
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 15:05 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03. Start by 15:03 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Pike of Blisco summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Pike of Blisco right now. The main Pike of Blisco page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Pike of Blisco forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Pike of Blisco
Pike of Blisco is a 703m rocky peak between Great Langdale and the Wrynose Pass, a Wainwright and Hewitt with a craggy top facing Crinkle Crags. More about Pike of Blisco, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Cold Pike (700 m), 1 km south-west
- Great Knott (695 m), 1.2 km west
- Cold Pike West Top (683 m), 1.4 km south-west
- Cold Pike Far West Top (669 m), 1.6 km west
- Crinkle Crags South Top (834 m), 2.1 km west
- Little Stand (740 m), 2.2 km south-west
Challenges that include Pike of Blisco
More walks from Blea Tarn 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.
- Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge up Cold Pike
- Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge up Crinkle Crags - Long Top
- Blea Tarn via Side Pike up Lingmoor Fell
- 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 Pike of Blisco
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Langdale via Red Tarn | 4.5 km one way | 610 m | 1h 55m | Moderate |
| Wrynose Pass | 3.1 km one way | 339 m | 1h 10m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 295 043, the summit at NY 271 042), 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.
Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge?
The Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge is 2.9 km one way to the summit of Pike of Blisco, with 510 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 5.8 km.
How long does the Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge take?
About 1h 25m to the summit of Pike of Blisco and 2h 0m 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 30m for the round trip.
How steep is the Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 33%, starting 0.5 km from the start, and 34% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge climbs 487 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge?
The Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge starts from Blea Tarn National Trust car park (postcode LA22 9PG). The grid reference is NY 295 043. Blea Tarn National Trust car park (NY295043)
Is the Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike 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 Great Langdale via Red Tarn.
What time should I start the Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge today?
By 15:05 at the latest. Sunset on Pike of Blisco today is 18:05, The Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike ridge takes about 2h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Wrynose walking paths and the Cold Pike 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.