Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge up Sergeant Man: route map, distance and time
736 m · Cumbria
Sergeant Man is a rocky knob on the rim of the High Raise plateau, climbed from Grasmere by Easedale Tarn or from Great Langdale by Stickle Tarn.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Rosthwaite National Trust car park.
Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge starts at about 88 m and gains 681 m over 8.1 km to 712 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 2%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6 km, which climbs 188 m at an average of 19%, with a 500 m stretch from 5.1 km at about 25%. The final 0.1 km eases to the top. About 16% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge at a glance
| Distance | 8.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 710 m |
| Climb on the track | 681 m up, 54 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 88 m to 757 m (summit 736 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 25%, from 5.1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 16% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Rosthwaite National Trust car park, CA12 5XB |
| Start grid reference | NY 257 148 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 286 088 |
| Parking | Rosthwaite National Trust car park |
Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge 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
- The Langstrath Inn1.3 km
- The Yew Tree Pub1.7 km
- The Flock-in0.1 km
- Borrowdale YHA0.7 km
- Peathouse Tea & Coffee Shop1.3 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets1.7 km
- Chapel House Farm Campsite0.9 km
- National Trust Campsite1.8 km
- Seatoller Farm1.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge 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.
Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge 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 | 94 m | +6 m | 1% | NY 258 140 |
| 2 km | 100 m | +6 m | 1% | NY 265 136 |
| 3 km | 128 m | +28 m | 3% | NY 273 130 |
| 4 km | 270 m | +142 m | 14% | NY 279 123 |
| 5 km | 416 m | +146 m | 15% | NY 282 114 |
| 6 km | 604 m | +188 m | 19% | NY 285 106 |
| 7 km | 729 m | +125 m | 12% | NY 282 098 |
| 8 km | 725 m | -4 m | 0% | NY 285 089 |
| 8.1 km | 712 m | -13 m | -12% | NY 286 088 |
How long Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 4h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 25m | 5h 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 12:40 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03. Start by 12:38 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Sergeant Man summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 31 mph gusting 39 mph, 56% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 25 mph gusting 31 mph, 76% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge: Thursday 22 October, with summit gusts around 29 mph and a 72% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Sergeant Man forecast
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 -1°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 56% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 39 mph.
- 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 Sergeant Man
Sergeant Man is a rocky knob on the rim of the High Raise plateau, climbed from Grasmere by Easedale Tarn or from Great Langdale by Stickle Tarn. More about Sergeant Man, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Codale Head (732 m), 0.3 km north-east
- High Raise (763 m), 0.8 km north-west
- Pavey Ark (702 m), 1 km south
- Thunacar Knott (723 m), 1.1 km south-west
- Harrison Stickle (735 m), 1.6 km south
- Tarn Crag (549 m), 1.8 km east
Challenges that include Sergeant Man
More walks from Rosthwaite 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.
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Allen Crags
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Glaramara
- Rosthwaite via the Watendlath path up Grange Fell
- Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge up High Raise
- Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn up High Spy
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Rosthwaite Fell
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Looking Steads
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Red Beck Top
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up High House Tarn Top
Other routes up Sergeant Man
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grasmere via Easedale Tarn | 7.0 km one way | 674 m | 2h 30m | Moderate |
| Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn | 3.7 km one way | 639 m | 1h 50m | Moderate |
| Mickleden via Stake Pass | 8.0 km one way | 720 m | 2h 50m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 257 148, the summit at NY 286 088), 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.
Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge: questions and answers
How far is Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge?
Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge is 8.1 km one way to the summit of Sergeant Man, with 710 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 16.2 km.
How long does Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge take?
About 2h 50m to the summit of Sergeant Man and 4h 25m 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 30m for the round trip.
How steep is Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 25%, starting 5.1 km from the start, and 16% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge climbs 681 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge?
Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge starts from Rosthwaite National Trust car park (postcode CA12 5XB). The grid reference is NY 257 148. Rosthwaite National Trust car park
Is Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge 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 Grasmere via Easedale Tarn.
What time should I start Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge today?
By 12:40 at the latest. Sunset on Sergeant Man today is 18:05, Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge takes about 4h 25m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge?
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.