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9.96 km · ~782 m ascent · ~3–4.5 h · loop · 4 summits

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St Sunday Crag above Patterdale and Ullswater
Severe steepnessLoopWalked in part

St Sunday Crag

9.96 km
Distance
~3–4.5 h
Typical time
~782 m
Ascent
4
Summits

Photo: © Lee McCoy

Download GPX →Walked in part · km 4.4–4.8, km 5.6–6.4, km 7.3–8.2 from the map

Key facts

Distance 9.96 km
Ascent ~782 m
Descent ~778 m
Time ~3–4.5 h
Type Loop
Start Patterdale
Three tops and an outlier on the long Patterdale ridge — Arnison Crag, Birks and St Sunday Crag, with Gavel Pike a short detour off the summit. Steep in places, but the walking line stays well clear of the crags throughout.
🥾 Walked in part — Lee walked this ground in January 2025; km 4.4–4.8, km 5.6–6.4, km 7.3–8.2 of this line are from the map. A planned line is a suggestion, not a guarantee — conditions change. Navigate independently and carry a map & compass. How to use this guide.

Difficulty profile

LengthModerate9.96 km round.
SteepnessSevereSteepest sustained pull about 44% around the 8.3 km mark.
TerrainModerateMostly good mountain path. desk assessment — not field-verified
NavigationModerateA reasonably clear line (ridge or path), but carry a map and compass for the cloud.
ExposureEasyBroad, flat, grassy going; the walking route stays well clear of the crags.

Five independent axes, not one score. “Desk” ratings come from maps and guidebooks, not yet walked — treat them as a guide, not a survey.

Conditions on this route

We score every Lakeland Wainwright each morning on cloud, wind, rain and underfoot, and this route crosses 3 of them. The worst summit governs the verdict — a route is only as kind as its roughest top.

Modelled guidance — not a substitute for the mountain forecast or your own judgement. See how every fell ranks today →

Daylight & turnaround

Daylight is short from October to February — check today’s sunrise and sunset before you set off, and carry a head-torch and spare batteries. On short days, decide your turn-back time before you start.

Why this matters: 78% of Mountain Rescue call-outs come after midday — the day runs out on the way home, not on the way up. See also walking in bad weather and today’s conditions.

OpenTopoMap
Elevation profile, shaded by steepness
Elevation profile Rises from about 145 m to 839 m over 10.0 km, with the summits marked in order. The area beneath is shaded by sustained steepness over a 250 m window, in the same four bands as the route’s steepness rating: Easy under 15%, Moderate 15 to 25%, Hard 25 to 35%, Severe above 35%. 839 m 145 m 0 km 10.0 km 1234

1 Arnison Crag2 Birks3 St Sunday Crag4 Gavel Pike

Easy 57%Moderate 18%Hard 17%Severe 8%

~782 m
Total ascent
839 m
High point
145 m
Start height

Free mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap (switch layers top-right).

This walk covers about 9.96 km with around 782 m of ascent, taking in 4 summits. The map above shows the line; the elevation profile and stage notes are below.

Access & barriers

Can a dog, a buggy or dodgy knees manage this route? A quick read from the gates and stiles mapped along the way.

Dog
Gates only
Buggy
Not buggy-able
Knees
Tough descent
  • Dog: Gates and kissing gates only — a dog can do the whole route.
  • Buggy: Stiles or rough going on the route.
  • Knees: A long, steep ~44% drop around the 8.1 km mark — hard on the knees.

On the line: 7 gates · 1 kissing gate

These are mapped barriers, from OpenStreetMap — coverage in the Lakes is good but not guaranteed complete. Spotted a stile or gate we’ve missed? Tell us and we’ll fix it. Barrier data as of 2026-07-09. Access data © OpenStreetMap contributors (via Overpass).

Pacing

SummitCumulativeAscentTime (fast–steady)
1Arnison Crag1.4 km271 m0:44–0:58
2Birks3.5 km510 m1:33–2:03
3St Sunday Crag5.1 km754 m2:17–3:02
4Gavel Pike5.6 km756 m2:22–3:09
Finish10.0 km782 m3:18–4:23

Naismith-based estimate — a fast/steady range. Your pace will vary. These use Naismith’s textbook constants (5 km/h, 600 m of ascent an hour). Measured against a pace fitted to 41 recorded Lakeland walks they run about 8% slow, and we have left them that way deliberately: a slow estimate strands nobody.

The walk, stage by stage

  1. 1

    Start → Arnison Crag (1.4 km, 271 m)

    Climb of about 271 m over 1.4 km (around 19% average).

    Starting from Patterdale, tackle the steep fellside immediately, climbing up through the lower woodland and bracken to break out onto the rocky, distinct promontory of Arnison Crag

    Waypoints

    Patterdale village, Glenamara Park boundary, Arnison Crag summit (433 m)

    Decision point

    The drystone wall enclosing Glenamara Park provides an excellent initial handrail. Ascend south-west, aiming for the obvious rocky outcrop overlooking the valley

    Easy to get wrong

    A stiff 19% average gradient to kick off the route. The lower paths can be choked with thick bracken in high summer, making the ascent humid and obscuring foot placement on uneven ground. The final rocky steps near the summit can be slippery when wet

    If you need to get off

    Turn around and retrace your steps directly down the fellside back to Patterdale

    Low winter sun on a bracken-brown ridge with a crag-broken fellside beyond, and snow-covered high fells along the skyline
    © Lee McCoy
  2. 2

    Arnison Crag → Birks (2.1 km, 239 m)

    Climb of about 239 m over 2.1 km (around 11% average).

    Head south-west from Arnison Crag, dropping briefly into the shallow depression at Trough Head before tackling the long, sweeping, grassy haul up the broad ridge of Birks

    Waypoints

    Arnison Crag, Trough Head (saddle), Birks summit (622 m)

    Decision point

    Keep the deep trench of Grisedale to your right (north-west) and the Glenamara catchment to your left (south-east). The broad grassy ridge points directly toward the towering St Sunday Crag massif

    Easy to get wrong

    An 11% average climb. The descent into Trough Head often holds water and can be boggy. The subsequent climb up Birks is a relentless, grassy slog that will test the calves, though technically very straightforward compared to the rocky sections ahead

    If you need to get off

    From Trough Head, you can drop north-west into Glenamara Park to pick up the well-trodden valley paths back to Patterdale, completely avoiding the high fells

    Ullswater lying blue below steep bracken-covered fellsides, with farms and walled fields at the water's edge and low country beyond
    © Lee McCoy
  3. 3

    Birks → St Sunday Crag (1.7 km, 244 m)

    Climb of about 244 m over 1.7 km (around 14% average).

    Continue south-west along the ridge line. The grassy slopes of Birks transition to much rockier, mountainous terrain as you ascend the prominent, narrowing spine leading to the main summit plateau of St Sunday Crag

    Waypoints

    Birks summit, The Step (minor rocky depression), St Sunday Crag summit (841 m)

    Decision point

    The ridge is highly defined; follow the crest upwards. In thick clag, stay well clear of the northern crags overlooking Grisedale; the path naturally favors the slightly safer southern side of the ridge line

    Easy to get wrong

    A 14% gradient on increasingly rugged ground. The ridge narrows slightly here, and exposure increases, particularly with the dramatic, precipitous drops into the coves of Grisedale to the north. Wind speeds can accelerate violently as you breach the upper plateau

    If you need to get off

    Retreat north-east back down the ridge to Birks. Do not attempt to drop blindly into Grisedale or Deepdale from these steep upper flanks

    A snow-covered summit slope looking across a deep valley to a long line of snow-plastered crags and ridges under a clear sky
    © Lee McCoy
  4. 4

    St Sunday Crag → Gavel Pike (0.4 km, 1 m)

    Descent of about 54 m over 0.4 km.

    From the summit of St Sunday Crag, bear slightly east off the main thoroughfare, dropping down a short, rocky slope to reach the prominent subsidiary peak of Gavel Pike

    Waypoints

    St Sunday Crag summit, Gavel Pike summit (788 m)

    Decision point

    Gavel Pike is visually obvious in clear weather—a rocky promontory jutting out to the south-east. In low visibility, take a careful compass bearing east/south-east from the main summit to ensure you do not miss the spur

    Easy to get wrong

    A very short, sharp descent over rugged terrain. Gavel Pike offers arguably the best views down into Deepdale and across to the Fairfield Horseshoe, but the ground is rocky and requires careful foot placement to avoid ankle twists

    If you need to get off

    Retrace your steps the short distance back to the main St Sunday Crag summit to access the primary descent routes

  5. Gavel Pike → Finish (4.4 km, 26 m)

    Descent of about 636 m over 4.4 km.

    Descend steeply from Gavel Pike down its eastern/north-eastern flank, navigating the rugged terrain over Lord's Seat before picking up the long, sweeping descent paths that funnel back down into the valley toward Patterdale

    Waypoints

    Gavel Pike, Lord's Seat, valley floor tracks, Patterdale Finish

    Decision point

    The descent ridge initially tracks north-east. Use the deep valleys of Grisedale (to the left) and Deepdale (to the right) as major boundaries, which will naturally funnel you down the spine toward the valley bottom

    Easy to get wrong

    A massive, punishing descent for the knees. The upper sections off Gavel Pike feature steep grass and minor rocky steps that are highly treacherous when wet or icy. The 26 m of minor ascent is spread across the rolling valley tracks on the walk out

    If you need to get off

    You are on the final exit route. Maintain downward progress along the established paths; avoid descending too steeply off the sides of the ridge into the deep, trackless gills

    A snow-covered fellside with the low sun above it, rocks and tussocks breaking through the snow and a ridge climbing away to the right
    A rough grassy ridge with patches of old snow, looking across to a line of snow-covered high fells under a bright blue sky
    © Lee McCoy · 2 photographs

Summits bagged (4)

  1. 1Arnison Crag433 mEastern · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge
  2. 2Birks624 mEastern · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge, Nuttall
  3. 3St Sunday Crag841 mEastern · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge, Nuttall, Marilyn
  4. 4Gavel Pike784 mEastern · Birkett, Synge

In the order you walk them — the same numbers the elevation profile, the stage notes and the pacing table use.

Getting there & parking

⛽ Nearest fuel to this start: Rheged, A66, 18.2 km by road (06:00-22:00 daily). Nearest shop: Glenridding Mini Market, 0.2 km. Both measured along the road from the parking we publish at Glenridding, checked 8 August 2026. Coming in from a particular direction you may pass a closer one — the last petrol before each valley →

Patterdale Hotel Car Park (Patterdale Hotel, paid) — 0.0 km from the start (straight line)
Walking base for Place Fell, The Knight, Arnison Crag and Birks — the 'Place Fell and The Knight' route starts 23 m away. Also serves 'St Sunday Crag'. Fees: pay and display (LDNPA directory, checked Aug 2026). Unpaved surface (OSM-tagged).
Directions Something changed here?
Seasonal Car park — 0.5 km from the start (straight line)
Walking base for Arnison Crag, Birks, St Sunday Crag and Gavel Pike — the 'St Sunday Crag' route starts 464 m away. Also serves 'Place Fell and The Knight'. Fee not verified — check signage on arrival.
Directions Something changed here?
Patterdale (paid) — 0.5 km from the start (straight line)
For Place Fell, St Sunday Crag, the Grisedale fells.
Directions Something changed here?
🚺 Public toilets (~705 m straight line) — Free🚺 Public toilets (~926 m straight line)🍺 White Lion Inn🍺 Patterdale Hotel
Glenridding Dodd car park — 1.0 km from the start (straight line)
Walking base for Glenridding Dodd, Heron Pike (Glenridding), Sheffield Pike and Catstye Cam — the 'Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor' route starts 307 m away. Also serves 'Helvellyn via Striding Edge & Swirral Edge'. Fee not verified — check signage on arrival.
Directions Something changed here?
Ullswater Steamers Glenridding Pier car park (paid) — 1.1 km from the start (straight line)
Walking base for Glenridding Dodd, Heron Pike (Glenridding), Sheffield Pike and Catstye Cam — the 'Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor' route starts 373 m away. Also serves 'Helvellyn via Striding Edge & Swirral Edge'. Fees: Pay-and-display; contactless card/cash machine in the main car park near the pier house entrance ('just at the bottom of the ramp'). Tariff amounts not published on the operator's site. Car parking charges apply while using the EV charger.
Directions Something changed here?

Positions are approximate. Lakeland car parks fill before 9am on fine weekends.

Vehicles are left entirely at their owner’s risk. We list places people park; we cannot vouch for any of them. Judge it on the day: take valuables with you, leave nothing on show, and if a spot feels wrong when you get there, park somewhere else.

Every option near this start, on the parking map →

Water, shelter & getting away

🚌 Patterdale Hotel (E bound) (12 m)🚌 Patterdale Hotel (W bound) (32 m)🚌 Youth Hostel (N bound) (462 m)🚌 Youth Hostel (S bound) (468 m)⛺ Patterdale Youth Hostel (486 m)

On-route facilities © OpenStreetMap contributors — an absent marker does not mean the facility isn’t there.

Buses

The 508 stops at Patterdale Hotel (opp), 50 m from this start. The last bus is 19:46 towards Windermere (508) and 15:09 towards Hartsop (509), every day. Checked against the operator’s timetable, 7 September 2026. Times here are a guide, not a promise — leave yourself more than the minute.

The 508 passes this route at 0.0 km (Patterdale Hotel (opp), 10 m off the line).

Stagecoach 508 “Ullswater Bus”
Penrith – Pooley Bridge – Aira Force – Glenridding – Patterdale (summer services continue over Kirkstone Pass to Troutbeck and Windermere)
Catch it from: Penrith · Windermere (summer only)
The key route from Penrith for the Eastern and Far Eastern fells: Helvellyn from Glenridding, Place Fell, the Hartsop fells. The summer Kirkstone extension drops you at the pass for Red Screes and Caudale Moor.

Rural routes change seasonally — confirm on stagecoachbus.com or Traveline before travelling.

If the parking is full

There is no real plan B here. Every place we know beside this route serves the same walks and sits close together, so if one is full the others usually are too. Worth starting early, or having a different walk in mind before you set off.

  • Patterdale (paid)
  • Patterdale Hotel Car Park (Patterdale Hotel, paid)
  • Seasonal Car park

Worked out from the parking we hold within walking reach of this route and the other walks each place serves — two places that serve the same walks fill for the same reasons. We are not saying whether anywhere has spaces today, and we never will: this is what exists, not what is free.

When the sun reaches the tops

Not sunrise — the moment the sun clears the skyline from that summit, which on a fell with high ground to its east can be a good deal later. The two equinoxes are shown because they fall in the walking season, and late December too wherever a top keeps you waiting then; the clock gap between the equinoxes is British Summer Time, not the hill. Rounded to the nearest quarter hour and meant as a general idea, not a schedule.

  • Arnison Crag — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:45, about half an hour later. In late September, about 07:30. It waits longest in late December — about half an hour after sunrise.
  • Birks — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.
  • St Sunday Crag — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.

Modelled from a 30 m elevation model against each summit’s own skyline — the same figures the fell pages carry, never observed. Cloud is not in it.

Safety & conditions

Check live conditions in the “From the fells” panel, on MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast before you set off.

Make it easier or harder

Short version: turn back at about 5.6 km (drop to Start) — roughly half the distance.

Download

Download GPX

GPX track for your GPS or phone.

Places to stay near this start

Greenbank Farm Bed and Breakfast guest house

about 1.3 km from the start, in a straight line

The only property in the whole radius that prices a packed lunch and an evening meal on its own page - Packed Lunches £6.00, Evening Meals From £14.00 - alongside a family room for three and drying facilities. A family walking St Sunday Crag can be fed before it leaves and fed again when it gets back without moving the car.

A working sheep farm sitting below Arnison Crag, looking across at Place Fell and Angletarn Pikes - the two things a guest walks up next. The guest dining/sitting room has a log burner and there is one shared bathroom.

  • Drying room “We also have drying facilities and a large patio and garden to enjoy the view.”
  • Family rooms “Family: Room for three with a double and one single bed.”
  • Evening meal “We offer hearty home-cooked breakfasts and evening meals as well as packed lunches if required.”
  • Packed lunch “Packed Lunches £6.00”
  • Children “Family: Room for three with a double and one single bed.”

Also nearby, but not independent

YHA Helvellyn hostel

about 3.2 km from the start, in a straight line

The only bed in this cluster that is already up the hill - 963 ft up the Greenside road - with a shared drying room, free parking on site and meals served in the building. Two things will decide it for a family: dogs cannot come at all unless you are in the Camping & Cabins or have hired the whole hostel, and reception is shut from 10:00 until 17:00, so an early arrival cannot check in.

Worth knowing: “Dogs: Pets are not permitted at YHA Helvellyn, except in our Camping & Cabins accommodation or when hiring the whole hostel through YHA Exclusive Hire. Assistance dogs are welcome - please notify us at the time of booking.”

It began life as accommodation for the lead miners at Greenside, opened to hostellers as "Glenridding", took men only in 1947 and admitted women the year after; mine debris still lies around the building.

  • Drying room “Free parking on premises Games Group meals Intermittent mobile coverage Licensed bar Minibus parking on premises Mountain view Restaurant Shared drying room Unlimited breakfast Water refill station WiFi”
  • Family rooms “Private room is offered here”
  • Evening meal “With tasty breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals, groups are sure to find something delicious to eat at YHA Helvellyn (see sample menu ).”
  • Packed lunch “With tasty breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals, groups are sure to find something delicious to eat at YHA Helvellyn (see sample menu ).”
  • Parking “Free parking on premises”
  • Children “Under 12s are not permitted in dorm rooms. Children under 3 can stay with us for free.”

Patterdale Youth Hostel hostel

about 0.5 km from the start, in a straight line

This is the nearest hostel bed to the start, 460 m away, and the row exists to carry the one thing the cache actually proves about it: YHA's own pet rule bars a dog from both dorms and private rooms, so the private-room workaround for the under-12 dorm rule does not solve a dog. No Patterdale-specific facility is claimed here, because the capture contains none.

Worth knowing: “Pets - including dogs - are not permitted in our hostels when staying in a dorm or a private room. This is a consideration of other guests who may be allergic as well as the logistics of pets staying.”

  • Children “People of all ages are welcome at YHA. Guests aged under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or older.”

What each place says about itself, quoted from their own site. We have not stayed at any of them, and there are no prices, no booking and no affiliate links. Distances are straight lines from the route start, never walking times. Properties found via OpenStreetMap.

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Dog-friendly walks