Great End
Good walks are even better shared.
Overview
Great End rises to 909.5 m in the Lake District’s Southern Fells. Its northern cliffs contrast with the walking approach from Esk Hause and Calf Cove. It can be visited on a circuit from Seathwaite or included in a longer traverse with Scafell Pike.
Summit
The highest point, at 909.5 m, is a cairn on an outcrop at NY 22672 08385. A second cairn, 160 m west at NY 22532 08465, is about a metre lower. Scafell Pike, Broad Crag and Ill Crag dominate the neighbouring high ground, with Great Gable across the valley.
Grains Gill and the tarns circuit
Start at Seathwaite in Borrowdale. Cross Stockley Bridge and ascend by Grains Gill, Ruddy Gill, Esk Hause and Calf Cove to Great End. Retrace to Esk Hause through Calf Cove, then pass Sprinkling Tarn and Styhead Tarn and descend beside Styhead Gill to Stockley Bridge and Seathwaite.
Four-summit circuit
Link Seathwaite, Stockley Bridge, Sty Head, the Corridor Route and Scafell Pike, adding the Broad Crag and Ill Crag summit detours before Great End. Return south through Calf Cove to Esk Hause, then descend Ruddy Gill and Grains Gill to Stockley Bridge and Seathwaite. The complete circuit is 14.72 km with 1,046 m ascent.
Mountain conditions
Keep away from the northern crag edges and gullies. The north-west face is scrambling terrain, not a shortcut onto either walking circuit. Snow and ice require winter skills and equipment. Carry navigation tools and a torch, check the mountain forecast and leave enough daylight for the descent.
The Corridor Route has a rocky step near Greta Gill. Stay on the route above the gorges; never descend the bed of Piers Gill. If a stream is too high to cross safely, turn back rather than looking for a way down a gully.
Getting there
Seathwaite roadside parking is limited: leave room for farm and emergency vehicles. Seatoller parking or a bus from Keswick adds a walk to the start. Check the return timetable, toilet opening and current Lake District National Park access notices before setting out.
Rocks and climbing history
Great End’s summit rocks include the Esk Pike Sandstone Formation: layers of volcanic material deposited as mud, silt, sand and tuff.
Cust’s Gully was climbed in winter conditions on 4 April 1880 by Arthur Cust and more than twenty Alpine Club members.
Explore routes near Great End
Public walks starting within 80 km of this hill. Nearby does not mean a route reaches the summit; check its map and access before setting out.
Scafell Pike from Seathwaite via the Corridor Route
View route
Scafell Pike via Brown Tongue and Hollow Stones
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Great Carrs Halifax Wreckage from Wrynose Pass
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Tarn Hows Fast Route
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Route planning notes
These notes describe possible approaches, not verified navigable routes or permission to cross land. Check current paths, local access rules and conditions before setting out.
Great End via Grains Gill and the tarns (circuit)
From Seathwaite in Borrowdale, cross Stockley Bridge and climb by Grains Gill and Ruddy Gill to Esk Hause. Continue through Calf Cove and take the path up Great End’s southern slopes to the summit. Retrace to Calf Cove and Esk Hause, then return past Sprinkling Tarn and Styhead Tarn, down beside Styhead Gill to Stockley Bridge and back to Seathwaite. Keep to the mountain paths rather than cutting through the northern crags.
Scafell Pike and Great End via the Corridor Route
From Seathwaite, cross Stockley Bridge and climb past Styhead Tarn to Sty Head. Follow the Corridor Route to Lingmell Col and Scafell Pike. Include the separate summit detours to Broad Crag and Ill Crag before continuing to Great End. Retrace south to Calf Cove, descend to Esk Hause and return by Ruddy Gill, Grains Gill and Stockley Bridge to Seathwaite. The full four-summit circuit is 14.72 km with 1,046 m ascent; UKHillwalking estimates six hours of walking. Allow extra time for stops, conditions and navigation.
Make a day of it, together
Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.
Photo Gallery
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NY2208 : On Great End
Michael Graham
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NY2208 : Great End
Michael Graham
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NY2208 : Great End Sunset
John Bennett
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NY2208 : Call a Spade a Shovel?
Michael Graham
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NY2208 : Approaching the summit of Great End
Anthony Foster
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NY2208 : Summit cairn, Great End
Philip Halling
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NY2208 : Summit of Great End
Shaun Ferguson
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NY2208 : Snow pockets on Great End
Philip Halling
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NY2208 : Great End summit plateau
Graham Robson
NY2208 : On Great End
Michael Graham
Hill facts and local notes
Classifications
Elevation
910m
2,984 ft
Prominence
56m
Coordinates
54.4649, -3.1946
NY226083
OS Map
89 90
Explorer: OL6N
At the Summit
Cairn on an outcrop at NY 22672 08385, height 909.5 m. The cairn 160 m west at NY 22532 08465 is approximately 1 m lower.
Terrain & Geology
Great End’s summit includes volcaniclastic mudstone and siltstone with sandstone and lapilli-tuff interbeds of the Esk Pike Sandstone Formation, within the Borrowdale Volcanic Group. This formation overlies the Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation.
Views & Scenery
In clear weather, views include Borrowdale, Great Gable, Scafell Pike, Broad Crag and Ill Crag, with other Lake District fells beyond.
History & Heritage
Historical Significance
Cust’s Gully has a long winter-climbing history: Arthur Cust and more than twenty Alpine Club members ascended it on 4 April 1880.
Getting There & Facilities
Check current local access restrictions, parking rules and transport timetables before travelling. These notes do not confirm public access to the summit.
Parking
For the routes described here, start at Seathwaite in Borrowdale. Roadside space is limited: never obstruct farm access or emergency vehicles. The National Trust suggests Seatoller as an alternative; starting there adds the approach to Seathwaite to your walk.
Public Transport
Buses from Keswick serve Seatoller, with an onward walk to Seathwaite. Check the operator’s current timetable and plan the return journey; the routes described here start at Seathwaite, not the bus stop.
Nearby Facilities
Seatoller has a car park, bus stop and toilets; Rosthwaite has a café and toilets. Toilets at both locations may close in winter. Bring food and water for the mountain.
Safety Information
Known Hazards
- Northern cliffs and gullies drop steeply from the summit. Keep back from edges, particularly in mist, and do not use Cust’s Gully or Central Gully as walking shortcuts.
- The north-west face requires scrambling and precise route finding. Use the southern approach through Calf Cove for the walking circuits described here.
- The Corridor Route crosses steep, rocky ground and includes a rock step near Greta Gill. Never descend Piers Gill or follow apparent tracks into the gorges.
- Wet rock is slippery and swollen streams can block a route. Turn back before a crossing you cannot make safely; do not improvise a gorge descent.
- Carry a map, compass and torch, and know how to use them. Mist can make the high path junctions and boulder fields difficult to navigate.
Seasonal Hazards
Snow and ice can turn the northern face and gullies into winter mountaineering terrain. The high walking routes also need winter skills and suitable equipment in these conditions. Check the mountain forecast and daylight before setting out.
General Safety Tips
- Check weather conditions before setting out
- Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
- Let someone know your planned route
- Take a map, compass, and GPS device
- Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch
Hills
Some common questions about the hills answered
Are there group walks up Great End?
Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Great End through the maps
Are there other walkers around Great End?
Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Great End search or of course create your own walk for Great End
Can I organise a walk to Great End?
Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.
If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Great End.
How do I find a walk up this hill?
There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.
Can I suggest a new route up Great End?
Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.
Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Great End here
The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?
We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible
Community Discussion
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Location
Grid reference: NY226083
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Hills within 30 km
Straight-line distance, not a walking route or confirmation of access.
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