United Kingdom
England
North West England
Cumbria
Allerdale
Above Derwent
Grisedale Pike
United Kingdom
England
North West England
Cumbria
Allerdale
Above Derwent
Grisedale Pike
Hiking Highlight
Recommended by 161 hikers
This Highlight is in a protected area
Please check local regulations for: Lake District National Park
Hikes to Grisedale Pike take you to the apex of a conspicuous pointed peak when seen from many vantages in the northern Lake District. Legendary guidebook writer Alfred Wainwright described it as a ‘nagger of consciousness’ when rambling in the region. Sooner or later, the attraction to explore this shapely fell becomes too strong to resist.
A central hub boasting fine views
There are a variety of walking routes to Grisedale Pike; its lofty summit is the meeting point of four fine, grassy ridges. Two rise from the charming Whinlatter Forest, one from the village of Braithwaite in the Vale of Keswick and the other connects the fell to neighbouring Hopegill Head. Faithful to the character of the North Western Fells, Grisedale Pike boasts wonderful walking on airy ridges with soaring views. It is one of the principle summits on the ever-popular Coledale Round.
The view from the prominent summit is predictably extensive. Ancient Skiddaw, held aloft by its family of subsidiaries, looks particularly fine to the northeast. A sea of peaks and ridges stretches away to the south, with the Scafells visible in the distance. On a really clear day, the Isle of Man can be seen on the Irish Sea horizon.
Its regular, grassy slopes make for stress-free, family-friendly hillwalking. Plenty of herdwick sheep inhabit its slopes, so keep the dog on the lead. Even in winter conditions, hikers should have few difficulties on its slopes. The Fell is most easily accessed from the Vale of Keswick, which is host to a wide range of accommodation options.
Rising gracefully to a sharp peak piercing the north-western skies of Lakeland, Grisedale Pike is a fine mountain with superlative views. If you’re feeling energetic, tick it off as part of the popular Coledale Round horseshoe walk. If not, climb it from Braithwaite, taking the sweeping, narrowing eastern ridge to the excellent summit.
December 13, 2019
We started this hike from the Revelin Moss carpark at Whinlater Pass. Head up the steps to the right of the entrance into the car park and not through the gate where the sign is for Force Crag Mine is, this is where you'll return if you do the loop. It's a pretty hard slog from the start and there's a little bit of a scramble toward the peak but this is one of my favourite hikes in that part of the Lakes. If you decide to return back through the valley you'll be rewarded with a gradual decent and some epic views, if you're not in clouds.
October 27, 2019
I've walked Grisedale Pike both from Braithwaite (up Sleet How) and from the direction of Hopegill Head around the top of Hobcarton Crag. Both approaches offer cracking views of the surrounding Lakeland fells.
May 26, 2020
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