From Glenridding to Catstye Cam via Greenside Road, return via Birkhouse Moor

STD

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor [E]

REX May 11, 2026 Glenridding, Greenside Road, Catstye Cam, Red Tarn, Birkhouse Moor, Lanty's Tarn

Distance 12.24 km, Time 4.38 h, Total Ascent 794 m Imperial | Metric

Given the forecast this is probably our last walking day of the trip. Today's weather is predicted to be cold and windy, but little or no rain.
We decide to approach Catstye Cam from Glenridding, avoiding the need to negotiate Swirral Edge in the wind.

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 2, May 11, 2026

Is that snow on them there hills?

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 3, May 11, 2026

This is us, Hellvellyn via Greenside Road

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 4, May 11, 2026

Greenside Road starts as an easy route up the valley

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 5, May 11, 2026

Rex checking that we are headed in the right direction. I'm hoping to have an early lunch at Red Tarn

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 6, May 11, 2026

We cross Glenridding Beck here and

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 7, May 11, 2026

catch our first distant view of Catstye Cam

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 8, May 11, 2026

Catstye Cam in full view now as we start to approach

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 9, May 11, 2026

As we start to climb the Eastern face of Catstye Cam we can see Red Tarn and the famous Striding Edge of Helvellyn.
I wouldn't choose Striding Edge today in this wind, but each to his own

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 10, May 11, 2026

A view of the winding path up Glenridding Common to Whiteside

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 11, May 11, 2026

At the summit of Catsye Cam, looking towards Ullswater

Rex at the summit of Catsye Cam with Siwrral Edge and Helvellyn behind, May 11, 2026

Catsye Cam summit. The ridge ahead is Swirral Edge leading to Helvellyn

Panorama. Click on the image to start / stop rotation.

360° from Catstye Cam

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 12, May 11, 2026

As we come off Catstye Cam, a good view of Red Tarn

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 13, May 11, 2026

The path switches back to head West

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 14, May 11, 2026

We stop at Red Tarn for our lunch break. A gap in the clouds gives us a few minutes of hazy sunshine

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 15, May 11, 2026

A close up of people picking their way over Striding Edge

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 16, May 11, 2026

Our path to Birkhouse Moor, heading left at the wall

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 17, May 11, 2026

Nearly at Birkhouse Moor summit

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 18, May 11, 2026

Looking back at Helvellyn and Catstye Cam

Occasionally, Rex takes to sliding down a slope like this...

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 19, May 11, 2026

On our descent we make a short diversion to Lanty's Tarn, but it is very low

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 20, May 11, 2026

A jet screams overhead, coming up the valley past Patterdale

Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor - Image 21, May 11, 2026

This bench is excellently placed as we leave Lanty's Tarn. We stop for a last water and snack break before making our way back to Glenridding

Start: Glenridding

1) All day car parking, toilets and café in Glenridding [NY 38586 16923]
2) Various laybys to the North of Glenridding
3) Bus 508 from Penrith, Bus 509 (limited service) from Keswick or Penrith

Route

Glenridding, Greenside Road, Catstye Cam, Red Tarn, Birkhouse Moor, Lanty's Tarn
Distance 12.24 km, Time 4.38 h, Total Ascent 794 m
Wainwright Pictorial Guide: The Eastern Fells

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Please do your own research to verify current routes and information on car parking, bus services and so on

Route maps from Ordnance Survey are scaled 1:25000 unless otherwise indicated.
Distance, Hike Time and Total Ascent as supplied by OS. Image shows planned route.
Distance 12.24 km, Time 4.38 h, Total Ascent 794 m

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