Stonethwaite via Big Stanger Gill up Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot: route map, distance and time
551 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY258124
Bessyboot is the Wainwright summit of Rosthwaite Fell, a rough knobbly top above Stonethwaite reached by the steep path up Big Stanger Gill.
Climb the steep, rocky path beside the gill through woodland, then cross the knobbly ground to the summit.
Stonethwaite via Big Stanger Gill at a glance
| Distance | 2.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 445 m |
| Time up | 1h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 40m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Stonethwaite, Borrowdale |
| Start grid reference | NY 262 137 |
| Summit grid reference | NY258124 |
Stonethwaite via Big Stanger Gill 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 Langstrath Inn0.0 km
- The Yew Tree Pub1.8 km
- Peathouse Tea & Coffee Shop0.0 km
- Borrowdale YHA1.0 km
- The Flock-in1.3 km
- Public toilets1.3 km
- Public toilets1.8 km
- National Trust Campsite0.6 km
- Chapel House Farm Campsite0.7 km
- Seatoller Farm1.8 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Stonethwaite via Big Stanger Gill takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 40m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 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 07:49, sunset 18:05. Start by 15:25 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 15:23 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot right now. The main Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot
Bessyboot is the Wainwright summit of Rosthwaite Fell, a rough knobbly top above Stonethwaite reached by the steep path up Big Stanger Gill. More about Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Rosthwaite Fell (612 m), 0.7 km south
- Dovenest Top (633 m), 1.1 km south
- Combe Door Top (676 m), 1.7 km south
- Eagle Crag (523 m), 1.7 km east
- Combe Head (735 m), 1.8 km south-west
- Sergeant's Crag (571 m), 1.9 km south-east
Challenges that include Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot
More walks from Stonethwaite, Borrowdale
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Stonethwaite direct up Eagle Crag
- Stonethwaite via Sergeant's Crag up Eagle Crag
- Stonethwaite via Dock Tarn up Great Crag
- Stonethwaite via Greenup Edge up High Raise
- Stonethwaite via Eagle Crag up Sergeant's Crag
- Stonethwaite via Greenup Edge up Ullscarf
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 262 137, the summit at NY258124), 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.
Stonethwaite via Big Stanger Gill: questions and answers
How far is Stonethwaite via Big Stanger Gill?
Stonethwaite via Big Stanger Gill is 2.3 km one way to the summit of Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot, with 445 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 4.6 km.
How long does Stonethwaite via Big Stanger Gill take?
About 1h 10m to the summit of Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot and 1h 40m 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 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Stonethwaite via Big Stanger Gill?
Stonethwaite via Big Stanger Gill starts from Stonethwaite, Borrowdale. The grid reference is NY 262 137.
Is Stonethwaite via Big Stanger Gill 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 Stonethwaite via Big Stanger Gill today?
By 15:25 at the latest. Sunset on Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot today is 18:05, Stonethwaite via Big Stanger Gill takes about 1h 40m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Stonethwaite via Big Stanger Gill?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).