Glenridding via Heron Pike up Sheffield Pike: route map, distance and time
676 m · Cumbria
Sheffield Pike is a 676m fell above Glenridding and Ullswater, with a rocky south-east ridge and a view down the lake.
Climb to the col behind Glenridding Dodd, then up the steep, rocky south-east ridge over Heron Pike.
Glenridding via Heron Pike starts at about 156 m and gains 514 m over 2.6 km to 668 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 180 m (18%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 266 m at an average of 27%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.7 km at about 36%. It keeps climbing at 10% to the top. About 50% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Glenridding via Heron Pike at a glance
| Distance | 2.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 520 m |
| Climb on the track | 514 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 156 m to 671 m (summit 676 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 36%, from 0.7 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 50% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Glenridding main car park, CA11 0PD |
| Start grid reference | NY 386 169 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 369 181 |
| Parking | Glenridding main car park; the postcode is approximate |
Glenridding via Heron Pike 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
- Travellers Rest0.3 km
- Patterdale Hotel1.4 km
- White Lion Inn1.5 km
- Fairlight Cafe & Restaurant0.0 km
- Fellbites0.0 km
- Helvellyn Country Kitchen0.1 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Public toilets0.6 km
- Gillside Camping0.5 km
- Side Farm Campsite1.0 km
- Patterdale Youth Hostel camp site1.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Glenridding via Heron Pike 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.
Glenridding via Heron Pike 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 | 336 m | +180 m | 18% | NY 379 173 |
| 2 km | 602 m | +266 m | 27% steep | NY 372 177 |
| 2.6 km | 668 m | +66 m | 10% | NY 369 181 |
How long Glenridding via Heron Pike takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 1h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 20m |
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 15:10 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02. Start by 15:07 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Sheffield Pike summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Sheffield Pike right now. The main Sheffield Pike page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Sheffield Pike forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Sheffield Pike
Sheffield Pike is a 676m fell above Glenridding and Ullswater, with a rocky south-east ridge and a view down the lake. More about Sheffield Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Glenridding Dodd (442 m), 1.3 km south-east
- Green Side (794 m), 1.7 km west
- Hart Side (756 m), 1.8 km north-west
- Birkhouse Moor (718 m), 2.3 km south
- Raise (883 m), 2.7 km west
- Stybarrow Dodd (844 m), 2.7 km west
Challenges that include Sheffield Pike
More walks from Glenridding main car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Glenridding via Mires Beck up Birkhouse Moor
- Patterdale walking approach via Birks up Birks
- Glenridding eastern fell walking paths up Catstye Cam
- Glenridding via Sticks Pass up Clough Head
- Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause up Dollywaggon Pike
- Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause up Fairfield
- Glenridding via the Sheffield Pike col up Glenridding Dodd
- Glenridding via Sticks Pass up Great Dodd
- Glenridding via Sticks Pass up Hart Side
- Glenridding via White Side and Keppel Cove walking paths up Helvellyn
- Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause up Helvellyn
- Glenridding via Sticks Pass up Raise
Other routes up Sheffield Pike
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenridding via Greenside mine | 4.1 km one way | 602 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 386 169, the summit at NY 369 181), 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.
Glenridding via Heron Pike: questions and answers
How far is Glenridding via Heron Pike?
Glenridding via Heron Pike is 2.6 km one way to the summit of Sheffield Pike, with 520 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 5.2 km.
How long does Glenridding via Heron Pike take?
About 1h 25m to the summit of Sheffield Pike and 1h 55m 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 20m for the round trip.
How steep is Glenridding via Heron Pike?
The steepest 500 m averages about 36%, starting 0.7 km from the start, and 50% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Glenridding via Heron Pike climbs 514 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Glenridding via Heron Pike?
Glenridding via Heron Pike starts from Glenridding main car park (postcode CA11 0PD). The grid reference is NY 386 169. Glenridding main car park; the postcode is approximate
Is Glenridding via Heron Pike 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 Glenridding via Heron Pike today?
By 15:10 at the latest. Sunset on Sheffield Pike today is 18:05, Glenridding via Heron Pike takes about 1h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Glenridding via Heron Pike?
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.