Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill up Whin Rigg: route map, distance and time
537 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY151035
Whin Rigg is the south-western end of the Wasdale Screes ridge, with steep gullies dropping to Wastwater and a long view down the lake.
Climb beside the wooded gill onto the open ridge, then follow the grassy edge north-east to the summit.
Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill at a glance
| Distance | 3.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 481 m |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Nether Wasdale |
| Start grid reference | NY 123 040 |
| Summit grid reference | NY151035 |
Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill 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
- Screes Inn0.1 km
- The Strands Inn0.1 km
- The Sawmill Wasdale0.7 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Church Stile Farm And Holiday Park0.2 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 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 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 14:46 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:04. Start by 14:44 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Whin Rigg summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Whin Rigg right now. The main Whin Rigg page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Whin Rigg forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Whin Rigg
Whin Rigg is the south-western end of the Wasdale Screes ridge, with steep gullies dropping to Wastwater and a long view down the lake. More about Whin Rigg, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Illgill Head (609 m), 2.3 km north-east
Challenges that include Whin Rigg
More walks from Nether Wasdale
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Nether Wasdale via Whin Rigg up Illgill Head
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 123 040, the summit at NY151035), 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.
Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill: questions and answers
How far is Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill?
Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill is 3.8 km one way to the summit of Whin Rigg, with 481 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.6 km.
How long does Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of Whin Rigg and 2h 20m 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 50m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill?
Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill starts from Nether Wasdale. The grid reference is NY 123 040.
Is Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill 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 Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill today?
By 14:46 at the latest. Sunset on Whin Rigg today is 18:06, Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill takes about 2h 20m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Nether Wasdale via Greathall Gill?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).