Patterdale via Birks up St Sunday Crag: route map, distance and time
841 m · Cumbria
St Sunday Crag is a high fell above Grisedale and Patterdale, climbed by a fine ridge from Patterdale with views over Ullswater.
Climb through woods to Thornhow End and follow the ridge over Birks to the summit.
Patterdale via Birks at a glance
| Distance | 4.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 711 m |
| Time up | 2h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Patterdale village |
| Start grid reference | NY 394 160 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 369 133 |
Patterdale via Birks 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
- Patterdale Hotel0.2 km
- White Lion Inn0.3 km
- Travellers Rest1.5 km
- Side Farm Tea Room0.4 km
- Helvellyn Country Kitchen1.2 km
- Fairlight Cafe & Restaurant1.3 km
- Public toilets0.3 km
- Public toilets1.1 km
- Public toilets1.2 km
- Patterdale Youth Hostel camp site0.6 km
- Side Farm Campsite0.8 km
- Gillside Camping1.6 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Patterdale via Birks takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 3h 50m |
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 14:00 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02. Start by 13:57 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
St Sunday Crag summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Dense drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 36 mph gusting 46 mph, 67% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Slight rain, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 23 mph gusting 29 mph, 88% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02.
Best day of the next seven for Patterdale via Birks: Thursday 22 October, with summit gusts around 31 mph and a 57% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour St Sunday Crag forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb St Sunday Crag?
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 -2°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 67% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 46 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 St Sunday Crag
St Sunday Crag is a high fell above Grisedale and Patterdale, climbed by a fine ridge from Patterdale with views over Ullswater. More about St Sunday Crag, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Birks (624 m), 1.5 km north-east
- Fairfield (873 m), 1.9 km south-west
- Hartsop Above How (586 m), 2 km south-east
- Hart Crag (823 m), 2.1 km south
- Dollywaggon Pike (859 m), 2.3 km west
- Striding Edge (863 m), 2.4 km north-west
Challenges that include St Sunday Crag
More walks from Patterdale village
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Patterdale via Boredale Hause up Angletarn Pikes
- Patterdale direct up Arnison Crag
- Patterdale via Boredale Hause up Beda Fell
- Patterdale via Grisedale up Birkhouse Moor
- Patterdale via Thornhow End up Birks
- Patterdale via Grisedale up Dollywaggon Pike
- Patterdale via St Sunday Crag up Fairfield
- Patterdale via Boredale Hause up Place Fell
- Patterdale via Angle Tarn up Rest Dodd
- Patterdale via Rest Dodd up The Nab
Other routes up St Sunday Crag
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patterdale walking approach via Birks | 6.2 km one way | 800 m | 2h 35m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 394 160, the summit at NY 369 133), 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.
Patterdale via Birks: questions and answers
How far is Patterdale via Birks?
Patterdale via Birks is 4.8 km one way to the summit of St Sunday Crag, with 711 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.6 km.
How long does Patterdale via Birks take?
About 2h 10m to the summit of St Sunday Crag and 3h 5m 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 3h 50m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Patterdale via Birks?
Patterdale via Birks starts from Patterdale village. The grid reference is NY 394 160.
Is Patterdale via Birks 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 Patterdale via Birks today?
By 14:00 at the latest. Sunset on St Sunday Crag today is 18:05, Patterdale via Birks takes about 3h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Patterdale via Birks?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).