Swirls via Lower Man and White Side up Raise: route map, distance and time
883 m · Cumbria
Raise is a broad fell on the Helvellyn range north of Helvellyn, known for the ski tows on its eastern slopes above Glenridding.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Swirls car park, Thirlmere.
Swirls via Lower Man and White Side starts at about 222 m and gains 819 m over 5.3 km to 877 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 241 m (24%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 323 m at an average of 32%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.6 km at about 36%. The final 0.3 km eases to the top. About 35% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Swirls via Lower Man and White Side at a glance
| Distance | 5.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 810 m |
| Climb on the track | 819 m up, 167 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 221 m to 919 m (summit 883 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 36%, from 1.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 35% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Swirls car park, Thirlmere |
| Start grid reference | NY 317 168 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 342 174 |
| Parking | Swirls car park, Thirlmere |
Swirls via Lower Man and White Side 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 Swirls via Lower Man and White Side 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.
Swirls via Lower Man and White Side 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 | 463 m | +241 m | 24% steep | NY 324 164 |
| 2 km | 786 m | +323 m | 32% steep | NY 329 158 |
| 3 km | 904 m | +118 m | 12% | NY 337 153 |
| 4 km | 809 m | -94 m | -9% | NY 338 163 |
| 5 km | 868 m | +59 m | 6% | NY 341 171 |
| 5.3 km | 877 m | +9 m | 3% | NY 342 174 |
How long Swirls via Lower Man and White Side takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 55m | 4h 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 07:46, sunset 18:07. Start by 13:37 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 13:35 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Raise 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 27 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 7°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 Swirls via Lower Man and White Side: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 27 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Raise forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Raise?
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 Raise
Raise is a broad fell on the Helvellyn range north of Helvellyn, known for the ski tows on its eastern slopes above Glenridding. More about Raise, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- White Side (863 m), 0.9 km south-west
- Stybarrow Dodd (844 m), 1.5 km north
- Catstye Cam (890 m), 1.7 km south
- Green Side (794 m), 1.7 km north-east
- Helvellyn Lower Man (925 m), 1.9 km south
- Watsons Dodd (789 m), 2.3 km north
Challenges that include Raise
- Lake District 24 Peaks Challenge · 24
- Bob Graham Round · 42
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Wainwrights · 214
More walks from Swirls car park, Thirlmere
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge up Dollywaggon Pike
- Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge up Helvellyn
- Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge up Nethermost Pike
- Swirls via Lower Man and White Side up White Side
- Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge up Helvellyn Lower Man
Other routes up Raise
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenridding via Sticks Pass | 6.3 km one way | 830 m | 2h 40m | Moderate |
| Stanah via Sticks Pass | 3.4 km one way | 682 m | 1h 50m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 317 168, the summit at NY 342 174), 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.
Swirls via Lower Man and White Side: questions and answers
How far is Swirls via Lower Man and White Side?
Swirls via Lower Man and White Side is 5.3 km one way to the summit of Raise, with 810 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.6 km.
How long does Swirls via Lower Man and White Side take?
About 2h 25m to the summit of Raise and 3h 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 4h 15m for the round trip.
How steep is Swirls via Lower Man and White Side?
The steepest 500 m averages about 36%, starting 1.6 km from the start, and 35% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Swirls via Lower Man and White Side climbs 819 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Swirls via Lower Man and White Side?
Swirls via Lower Man and White Side starts from Swirls car park, Thirlmere. The grid reference is NY 317 168. Swirls car park, Thirlmere
Is Swirls via Lower Man and White Side 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 Glenridding via Sticks Pass.
What time should I start Swirls via Lower Man and White Side today?
By 13:37 at the latest. Sunset on Raise today is 18:07, Swirls via Lower Man and White Side takes about 3h 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 Swirls via Lower Man and White Side?
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.