Martindale church up the west side up Steel Knotts: route map, distance and time
432 m · Lake District E · OS grid NY440181
Steel Knotts is a short, rocky-crested ridge in Martindale above Ullswater, with a craggy summit tor called Pikeawassa.
A steep path climbs the grassy western flank to the ridge just south of Pikeawassa.
Martindale church up the west side at a glance
| Distance | 1.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 213 m |
| Time up | 0h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 0h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Martindale church |
| Start grid reference | NY 435 191 |
| Summit grid reference | NY440181 |
Martindale church up the west side 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 Martindale church up the west side takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 30m | 0h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 0h 40m | 0h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 0h 45m | 1h 10m |
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 18:04. Start by 16:09 to be down before dark, allowing 0h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02. Start by 16:07 to be down before dark, allowing 0h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Steel Knotts summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 11°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 15 mph gusting 21 mph, 30% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:04.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 11°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 2°C, summit wind 17 mph gusting 21 mph, 69% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02.
Best day of the next seven for Martindale church up the west side: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 21 mph and a 30% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Steel Knotts forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like 0°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- 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 Knotts
Steel Knotts is a short, rocky-crested ridge in Martindale above Ullswater, with a craggy summit tor called Pikeawassa. More about Steel Knotts, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Beda Fell (509 m), 1.5 km south-west
- Loadpot Hill (672 m), 1.6 km east
- Hallin Fell (388 m), 1.8 km north-west
- Wether Hill (673 m), 2.1 km south-east
- Wether Hill (676 m), 2.3 km south-east
- Bonscale Pike (524 m), 2.4 km north-east
Challenges that include Steel Knotts
More walks from Martindale church
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Martindale along the ridge up Beda Fell
- Martindale Hause up Hallin Fell
- Martindale via Nab End up The Nab
Other routes up Steel Knotts
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howtown up the north ridge | 1.8 km one way | 279 m | 0h 50m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 435 191, the summit at NY440181), 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.
Martindale church up the west side: questions and answers
How far is Martindale church up the west side?
Martindale church up the west side is 1.4 km one way to the summit of Steel Knotts, with 213 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 2.8 km.
How long does Martindale church up the west side take?
About 0h 40m to the summit of Steel Knotts and 0h 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 1h 10m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Martindale church up the west side?
Martindale church up the west side starts from Martindale church. The grid reference is NY 435 191.
Is Martindale church up the west side 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 Martindale church up the west side today?
By 16:09 at the latest. Sunset on Steel Knotts today is 18:04, Martindale church up the west side takes about 0h 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 Martindale church up the west side?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).