The Grasmoor Round
Photo: © Lee McCoy
Key facts
Difficulty profile
Five independent axes, not one score — all field-checked on the ground here, with nothing left as a desk estimate.
Conditions on this route
We score every Lakeland Wainwright each morning on cloud, wind, rain and underfoot, and this route crosses 5 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.
1 Whiteside (Whiteside West Top)2 Whiteside East Top (Whiteside) (Gasgale Crags)3 Gasgale Crags4 Hopegill Head5 Sand Hill6 Grasmoor7 Thirdgill Head Man8 Whiteless Pike9 Rannerdale Knotts
Easy 54%Moderate 19%Hard 15%Severe 12%
Free mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap (switch layers top-right).
This walk covers about 16.17 km with around 1197 m of ascent, taking in 9 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: A stile of unmapped type — a dog may need lifting over.
- Buggy: Stiles or rough going on the route.
- Knees: A long, steep ~40% drop around the 12.9 km mark — hard on the knees.
On the line: 4 gates · 1 kissing gate · 1 stile (type unmapped)
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 (opens in new tab) and we’ll fix it. Barrier data as of 2026-08-21. Access data © OpenStreetMap contributors (via Overpass).
Pacing
| Summit | Cumulative | Ascent | Time (fast–steady) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Whiteside (Whiteside West Top) | 2.1 km | 556 m | 1:21–1:47 |
| 2Whiteside East Top (Whiteside) (Gasgale Crags) | 2.6 km | 588 m | 1:30–2:00 |
| 3Gasgale Crags | 3.0 km | 600 m | 1:36–2:07 |
| 4Hopegill Head | 3.7 km | 690 m | 1:54–2:32 |
| 5Sand Hill | 4.1 km | 699 m | 1:59–2:38 |
| 6Grasmoor | 6.8 km | 963 m | 2:58–3:56 |
| 7Thirdgill Head Man | 8.9 km | 1006 m | 3:27–4:35 |
| 8Whiteless Pike | 9.6 km | 1035 m | 3:39–4:52 |
| 9Rannerdale Knotts | 12.6 km | 1125 m | 4:24–5:51 |
| Finish | 16.2 km | 1197 m | 5:14–6:57 |
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
Start → Whiteside (Whiteside West Top) (2.1 km, 556 m)
From the car parking area near Lanthwaite Green / Crummock Water, cross the road and take the steep, direct path ascending Whin Rigg up the western breast of Whiteside. The gradient is relentless from the start. As you ascend, the path braids occasionally; stick strictly to the left-hand options along the main ridge line to gain the summit cairn at Whiteside West Top
WaypointsLanthwaite Green start, Whin Rigg, Whiteside West Top cairn
Decision pointThe western spur forms an unmistakable, direct handrail straight up to the summit ridge
Easy to get wrongA gruelling, continuous 26% gradient over loose scree and steep grass
If you need to get offTurn 180 degrees and carefully down-climb Whin Rigg back to the car park
© Lee McCoy · 3 photographs - 2
Whiteside (Whiteside West Top) → Whiteside East Top (Whiteside) (Gasgale Crags) (0.6 km, 32 m)
From West Top, head east along one of the finest, narrowest arêtes in the Lake District. The path traverses the sharp crest, keeping the sheer drops of Gasgale Crags on your right, leading directly to Whiteside East Top
WaypointsWest Top, narrow ridge arête, East Top
Decision pointThe sharp crest of the ridge is completely self-defining
Easy to get wrongHighly exposed ridge walking; requires steady footing in windy conditions
If you need to get offRetrace your steps west along the ridge to West Top and descend Whin Rigg
© Lee McCoy · 2 photographs - 3
Whiteside East Top (Whiteside) (Gasgale Crags) → Gasgale Crags (0.3 km, 11 m)
Continue eastward along the high, undulating ridge line, staying above the crags toward the approaching peak of Hopegill Head
WaypointsGasgale Crags high ridge
Decision pointThe high ridge line guides you directly toward the pyramid summit ahead
Easy to get wrongUneven, rocky ground along exposed drops
If you need to get offRetreat west along the ridge
© Lee McCoy - 4
Gasgale Crags → Hopegill Head (0.8 km, 90 m)
Continue ascending the ridge towards Hopegill Head. Crucial navigation: keep strictly to the left-hand path options all the way up this section. In the final 100 metres before the peak, where the hands-on scramble begins, take the left-hand line straight up onto the rocky peak. Do not take the tempting, easier-looking right-hand track — it bypasses Hopegill Head entirely on loose scree and cuts straight across towards Sand Hill
WaypointsRidge crest, final 100 m left-hand scramble, Hopegill Head summit cairn (perched dramatically over the slab)
Decision pointThe left-hand ridge line leads directly onto the rock pinnacle
Easy to get wrongMild Grade 1 hands-on scrambling on steep rock near the summit
If you need to get offRetreat back along the Whiteside ridge
© Lee McCoy · 2 photographs - 5
Hopegill Head → Sand Hill (0.3 km, 8 m)
Descend south-east off Hopegill Head down a short, loose scree step into the shallow col, then make the brief, gentle pull up to the rounded top of Sand Hill
WaypointsHopegill Head descent step, Sand Hill top
Decision pointClear line of sight between the two tops
Easy to get wrongLoose, slippery scree on the initial descent off Hopegill Head
If you need to get offGasgale Gill retreat. At Coledale Hause (just beyond Sand Hill) you can turn right to descend alongside Liza Beck into Gasgale Gill back to Lanthwaite Green. Two things to know: the right turn parallel to Liza Beck can be subtle and difficult to spot, and Gasgale Gill involves stream crossings and rough terrain that can become treacherous after heavy rain
- 6
Sand Hill → Grasmoor (2.7 km, 264 m)
Drop to the broad crossroads at Coledale Hause. Pass Liza Beck and continue south-west, climbing the broad, stony flank of Grasmoor. Cross the vast summit plateau heading west to reach the massive shelter cairn and trig point overlooking Crummock Water. Extension — adding Wainwrights: to make the walk harder, from Coledale Hause or the eastern slopes of Grasmoor head east to bag Crag Hill and Wandope, adding two extra Wainwrights. From Crag Hill a short out-and-back north leads onto Eel Crag, minding the severe cliff drop, before returning to the route
WaypointsColedale Hause, Liza Beck, Grasmoor plateau, summit shelter cairn
Decision pointStone-pitched paths across the plateau; maintain a compass bearing in low cloud
Easy to get wrongThe high summit plateau is broad, featureless, and notoriously easy to get disoriented on in thick fog. Hazard — Lorton Gully: avoid descending directly west off the front of Grasmoor down End Crag / Lorton Gully. This involves lethal drops and a Grade 3 scramble requiring specialist equipment
If you need to get offLad Hows / Scale Hill descent. From the summit of Grasmoor a clear path leads north-west down the Lad Hows / Dove Crag ridge. It runs fairly straight for the top two-thirds before curving right (north-west) towards Scale Hill and the road, safely avoiding all crags
- 7
Grasmoor → Thirdgill Head Man (2.1 km, 44 m)
Retrace your steps east across the plateau of Grasmoor, then bear south-east along the high ridge towards the high point of Thirdgill Head Man on the approach to Wandope Moss
WaypointsGrasmoor plateau, Thirdgill Head Man
Decision pointFaint trods and small cairns across the high moss
Easy to get wrongFeatureless high ground; careful bearing required in mist
If you need to get offRetrace steps to the Lad Hows path for a direct descent to Crummock Water
© Lee McCoy · 2 photographs - 8
Thirdgill Head Man → Whiteless Pike (0.8 km, 29 m)
From Thirdgill Head Man, turn south-west to descend the narrow, steep grassy ridge of Whiteless Edge before pulling up onto the sharp, prominent peak of Whiteless Pike
WaypointsWhiteless Edge, Whiteless Pike summit cairn
Decision pointWhiteless Edge forms a narrow, well-defined crest leading straight to the peak
Easy to get wrongSteep, narrow ridge descent along Whiteless Edge; requires careful footing
If you need to get offRannerdale road shortcut. On the descent off Whiteless Pike, around the 300 m contour near Whiteless Breast, instead of climbing onto Rannerdale Knotts take the clear path branching right (north-west) around the north side of Rannerdale Knotts directly down to the valley road by Crummock Water
© Lee McCoy - 9
Whiteless Pike → Rannerdale Knotts (3.0 km, 90 m)
Descend steeply south-west off Whiteless Pike to Whiteless Breast. Continue west, traversing the grassy ridge towards the low, rocky spine of Rannerdale Knotts. Climb gently onto the rocky crest and follow it to the summit cairn
WaypointsWhiteless Breast, Caddy Ridge, Rannerdale Knotts summit
Decision pointThe long, low crest of Rannerdale Knotts stretches out clearly ahead
Easy to get wrongStepped rocky path down Whiteless Pike on tired knees
If you need to get offTake the north-side valley path directly down to the B5289 road
© Lee McCoy · 2 photographs Rannerdale Knotts → Finish (3.6 km, 72 m)
Descend the western tip of Rannerdale Knotts down rock steps to the valley floor near Haus Point. At the B5289 road near Crummock Water, follow the road or the permissive lakeshore track heading north past Cinderdale Common back to the parking area at Lanthwaite Green
WaypointsHaus Point steps, B5289 road / Crummock shore track, Cinderdale Common, Lanthwaite Green finish
Decision pointThe shoreline of Crummock Water on your left and the road provide simple, foolproof navigation back to the car
Easy to get wrongWalking along narrow sections of the B5289 road requires awareness of traffic
If you need to get offDirect return along the road / lakeshore track to the start
Summits bagged (9)
- 1Whiteside (Whiteside West Top)707 m
- 2Whiteside East Top (Whiteside) (Gasgale Crags)719 m
- 3Gasgale Crags703 m
- 4Hopegill Head770 m
- 5Sand Hill756 m
- 6Grasmoor852 m
- 7Thirdgill Head Man734 m
- 8Whiteless Pike660 m
- 9Rannerdale Knotts355 m
In the order you walk them — the same numbers the elevation profile, the stage notes and the pacing table use.
Getting there & parking
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
On-route facilities © OpenStreetMap contributors — an absent marker does not mean the facility isn’t there.
Buses
The 77 stops at Lanthwaite Green Farm (opp), 20 m from this start. Seasonal: the 77 does not run all year. 1 November 2026 is its last day, and it is not daily before then — a bus on 31 of the 56 days from 7 September. We don’t know when it returns. Confirmed with the operator, 29 August 2026. The last bus is 18:03 towards Keswick (77), 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 77 passes this route at 0.0 km (Lanthwaite Green Farm (opp), 10 m off the line) and again at 11.5 km (Buttermere, outside Court Hotel, 920 m off the line) — one bus, two stops, 4.2 km apart on the ground. We haven’t walked a shortened version, so the distance, grading and escape routes on this page describe the walk end to end.
Rural routes change seasonally — confirm on stagecoachbus.com (opens in new tab) or Traveline before travelling.
If the parking is full
There is a fallback here, but it is a weak one. Some of the 3 below tend to fill for the same reasons at the same time. Treat the list as one-and-a-bit options rather than 3.
- Lanthwaite Green (NT)
- Rannerdale Knotts, south (layby)
- Grasmoor (layby)
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.
- Whiteside (Whiteside West Top) — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:30, about a quarter of an hour later. In late September, about 07:15. It waits longest in late December — about half an hour after sunrise.
- Hopegill Head — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.
- Grasmoor — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.
- Whiteless Pike — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00. It waits longest in midsummer — about half an hour after sunrise. In late December, not until about 08:45.
- Rannerdale Knotts — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:30, about a quarter of an hour later. In late September, about 07:15. It waits longest in midsummer — well over an hour after sunrise. In late December, not until about 09:00.
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 (opens in new tab) and the Met Office mountain forecast (opens in new tab) before you set off.
Make it easier or harder
Sun and shade: Going clockwise puts more of the walk in sun for a start between about 06:00 and 08:00, every day of the year — except for an 08:00 start in late November and early December, when the two are level. From November to January, a start after 09:00 reverses it.
Short version: turn back at about 8.4 km (drop to Start) — roughly half the distance.
