Patterdale walking approach 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.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Glenridding main car park.
Patterdale walking approach via Birks starts at about 157 m and gains 811 m over 6.2 km to 836 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 3%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 323 m at an average of 32%, with a 500 m stretch from 3.2 km at about 38%. It keeps climbing at 20% to the top. About 32% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Patterdale walking approach via Birks at a glance
| Distance | 6.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 800 m |
| Climb on the track | 811 m up, 136 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 156 m to 836 m (summit 841 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 38%, from 3.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 32% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Glenridding main car park, CA11 0PD |
| Start grid reference | NY 386 169 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 369 133 |
| Parking | Glenridding main car park; the postcode is approximate |
Patterdale walking approach via Birks 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 Patterdale walking approach via Birks 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.
Patterdale walking approach via Birks 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 | 205 m | +48 m | 5% | NY 379 166 |
| 2 km | 249 m | +44 m | 4% | NY 380 159 |
| 3 km | 255 m | +7 m | 1% | NY 386 155 |
| 4 km | 578 m | +323 m | 32% steep | NY 383 147 |
| 5 km | 611 m | +33 m | 3% | NY 376 142 |
| 6 km | 790 m | +179 m | 18% | NY 371 135 |
| 6.2 km | 836 m | +46 m | 20% steep | NY 369 133 |
How long Patterdale walking approach via Birks takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 3h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 4h 40m |
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 13:15 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02. Start by 13:12 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m 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 walking approach 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 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 St Sunday Crag
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patterdale via Birks | 4.8 km one way | 711 m | 2h 10m | 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 369 133), 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 walking approach via Birks: questions and answers
How far is Patterdale walking approach via Birks?
Patterdale walking approach via Birks is 6.2 km one way to the summit of St Sunday Crag, with 800 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.4 km.
How long does Patterdale walking approach via Birks take?
About 2h 35m to the summit of St Sunday Crag and 3h 50m 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 40m for the round trip.
How steep is Patterdale walking approach via Birks?
The steepest 500 m averages about 38%, starting 3.2 km from the start, and 32% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Patterdale walking approach via Birks climbs 811 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Patterdale walking approach via Birks?
Patterdale walking approach via Birks 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 Patterdale walking approach via Birks 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 Patterdale via Birks.
What time should I start Patterdale walking approach via Birks today?
By 13:15 at the latest. Sunset on St Sunday Crag today is 18:05, Patterdale walking approach via Birks takes about 3h 50m 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 walking approach via Birks?
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.