The steep climb of Grisedale Pike from Braithwaite. Hobcarton Crag

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Grisedale Pike [NW]

INDY Jul 01, 2025 Braithwaite, Grisedale Pike, Hobcarton Crag, Hopegill Head, Sand Hill, Coledale Hause, Outerside, Stile End
Distance 13.68 km, Time 5.46 h, Total Ascent 1179 m Imperial | MetricWainwright Pictorial Guide: The North Western Fells

INDY SAYS: It was very humid at the beginning. Apart from Grisedale Pike the going was easy

The steep slopes of Grisedale Pike from Braithwaite, then Hobcarton Crag and Hopegill Head. Return via Coledale Hause & Outerside

Start point, map and route information at bottom of page

Today we start early. The clouds are low but forecast is for heavy rain early afternoon so we aim to be finished before that.
Grisedale Pike is the main objective, with a possible excursion to Whiteside if visibility makes the ridge walk worthwhile.

Starting up the path to Kinn, it is warm and humid

Looking back to Braithwaite

Braithwaite and Keswick further on, clouds covering the tops of the Skiddaw & Helvellyn ranges

Our route ahead doesn't look too promising at the moment

The start of the climb proper to Grisedale Pike

Good visibility downwards, this is Force Crag mine

It isn't raining, but the clouds are dripping on us

Looking back on our ascent so far, some cloud already below us

After a somewhat rocky ascent, we reach the summit of Grisedale Pike - 8:15am

And stop a little further on for a long drink of water

Hobcarton Crag

This is the route to Hopegill Head

Hopegill Head

We start to walk in the direction of Whiteside, but the visibility is too poor to enjoy this ridge walk

The summit of Sand Hill is guarded, we enter a lengthy period of negotiations

The sheep concede one photo of Indy at the summit

On our approach to Coledale Hause, the clouds are all around us

As we get closer to Coledale Hause, visibility improves

Our return route - we decide at this point to visit Outerside and Stile End if the weather holds

The visible track on the left is the Force Crag mine route, which would have been our shorter return had we included Whiteside. Outerside is on the right.

At the summit of Outerside

Derwent Water in view

Indy enjoying the narrow heather paths on Outerside

Stile End summit

Looking behind, Outerside is on the right. From the left is the beginning of the ridge walk of a couple of days ago starting with Causey Pike

Looking down to Braithwaite with Skiddaw and Blencathra in the background

We got back a good hour before the heavy rain started

Start:
1) Buses from Keswick to Braithwaite
2) Car parking in Braithwaite village and in the school during holiday periods
Route:
Braithwaite, Grisedale Pike, Hobcarton Crag, Hopegill Head, Sand Hill, Coledale Hause, Outerside, Stile End Distance 13.68 km, Time 5.46 h, Total Ascent 1179 m
Route maps from Ordnance Survey are scaled 1:25000 unless mentioned otherwise.
Km, hike time and metres of ascent as supplied by OS. Planned route

Route Map and Details

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