Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge up Steel Fell: route map, distance and time
553 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY319111
Steel Fell is a 553m fell above Dunmail Raise and Grasmere, the northern arm of the Greenburn horseshoe with Helm Crag and Calf Crag.
A short, steep grassy climb straight up the south-east ridge to the summit.
Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge at a glance
| Distance | 2.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 446 m |
| Time up | 1h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 40m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Ghyll Foot, near Dunmail Raise |
| Start grid reference | NY 331 095 |
| Summit grid reference | NY319111 |
Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long the Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge 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 5m |
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 15:25 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03. Start by 15:23 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Steel Fell summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Monday 19 October
Overcast, up to 11°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 20 mph gusting 26 mph, 47% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Slight rain, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 20 mph gusting 25 mph, 69% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for the Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 26 mph and a 47% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Steel Fell forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- A warm layer, hat and gloves: it feels like 1°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 47% chance of rain.
- 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 Steel Fell
Steel Fell is a 553m fell above Dunmail Raise and Grasmere, the northern arm of the Greenburn horseshoe with Helm Crag and Calf Crag. More about Steel Fell, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Gibson Knott (420 m), 1.1 km south
- Calf Crag (537 m), 1.9 km south-west
- Helm Crag (405 m), 1.9 km south
- Tarn Crag (549 m), 2.4 km south-west
- Seat Sandal (737 m), 2.5 km east
- Ullscarf (723 m), 3 km west
Challenges that include Steel Fell
Other routes up Steel Fell
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenburn horseshoe from Grasmere | 8.4 km one way | 563 m | 2h 35m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 331 095, the summit at NY319111), 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.
Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge?
The Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge is 2.3 km one way to the summit of Steel Fell, with 446 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 4.6 km.
How long does the Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge take?
About 1h 10m to the summit of Steel Fell 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 5m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge?
The Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge starts from Ghyll Foot, near Dunmail Raise. The grid reference is NY 331 095.
Is the Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge 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 the Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge today?
By 15:25 at the latest. Sunset on Steel Fell today is 18:05, The Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge 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 the Ghyll Foot via the south-east ridge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).