Lake District National Park, EN
A high ridge, airy crags, and a tarn-filled valley return
Overview
A demanding circular fell walk from Patterdale climbs through Glenamara Park and over the ridge via Birks and Gavel Pike to St Sunday Crag, then descends to Grisedale Tarn before returning down Grisedale. The stored 9.0-mile distance is the complete loop from the Patterdale Hotel parking area, including the lane and valley return; allow about 5.5 hours. The reward is a superb sequence of Ullswater, ridge and tarn views, but this is a mountain day rather than a gentle tarn stroll: rough and sometimes boggy ground, steep climbing and a loose descent need sure footing. Dogs may come, but keep them close and on lead around livestock and steep ground.
Map & elevation
Plan your hike
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Lake District Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Lake District National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this trailhead
Patterdale: Place Fell and Arnison Crag“Up ahead is Patterdale, a starting point for Place Fell and a mountain walk with Ullswater spread below you.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Lake District Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Wildlife
81 sightingsRed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
13 sightingsEurasian OtterMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
76 sightingsOspreyMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
51 sightingsEuropean BadgerMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
233 sightingsMute SwanMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
176 sightingsGrey HeronMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Lake District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ModerateBirks and Arnison Crag Circular7.9 km · 3.3 hr · At the trailheadTwo summits, a rough ridge, and Ullswater views from Patterdale
ChallengingPlace Fell and Ullswater Shore12.1 km · 4.5 hr · 0.2 km awayHard fell loop from Patterdale with Ullswater views and waterfall
ModerateLanty's Tarn, Keldas and Patterdale Circular4.3 km · 1.5 hr · 1.3 km awayQuiet tarn, tiny summit and Ullswater views from Glenridding
ChallengingHelvellyn via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge12.4 km · 5.5 hr · 1.4 km awayThe classic Lake District ridge walk over Helvellyn's summit
ModerateUllswater Way32.3 km · 10 hr · 1.4 km awayA full day circling Ullswater on lakeshore paths and fellside tracks
ChallengingWhite Side and Raise from Glenridding13.7 km · 5 hr · 1.4 km awayTwo Wainwright summits, Helvellyn views, and old mine workings below
ModerateGlenridding Dodd, Heron Pike and Sheffield Pike9.2 km · 3.8 hr · 1.4 km awayThree-summit heather ridge circuit above Ullswater, 5.7 miles
ModerateGlenridding Dodd5 km · 2 hr · 1.5 km awayA steep little loop to a 442 m cairn above Ullswater
Sight · 1.1 km awayUllswater SteamersHeritage boats turn Ullswater into a moving mountain panorama
Visitor center · 1.4 km awayUllswater Information CentreA practical launchpad for Ullswater walks, boats, and local know-how
Sight · 3.2 km awayBrothers WaterA reed-fringed lake with big fell reflections and an easy shore walk
Sight · 4.6 km awayAira ForceA wooded waterfall walk with bridges, cascades, and Ullswater views
Sight · 5.4 km awayHelvellynEngland's third-highest peak, ringed by two airy ridges
Sight · 5.4 km awayUllswaterA mountain-rimmed lake made for cruises, walks, and changing light
Sight · 8.1 km awayThirlmereA long, dark reservoir framed by Helvellyn and wooded fells.
Sight · 9.3 km awayHaweswater ReservoirA remote mountain reservoir where quiet paths meet the High Street fellsParkwolf’s Lake District ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
