NY3713 : On St. Sunday Crag
Strenuous mountain walking; route dependent

St Sunday Crag

841m Elevation
160m Prominence
England Country
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NY3713 : On St. Sunday Crag

Michael Graham Photo source

Overview

St Sunday Crag

St Sunday Crag is an 841.2 m Lake District fell with 160.5 m prominence in the retained DoBIH record. The highest rock lies 2 m north of the summit cairn at NY 36920 13396.

Walking routes

The route cards describe two different complete Patterdale circuits. WalkLakes gives 14.6 km and 748 m ascent for its Gavel Pike and Grisedale Tarn circuit, with a minimum time of 4 hours 10 minutes. The Great Outdoors gives 11.8 km, 829 m ascent and 4½–5 hours for its largely pathless Lord’s Seat approach and return over Birks and Arnison Crag. These figures are not interchangeable. Neither route includes Fairfield or Pinnacle Ridge.

The descent from Deepdale Hause is steep and loose, with serious consequences from a fall. The eastern approach requires confident navigation on faint or absent paths. Carry a map and suitable mountain equipment, and check weather and current access information.

Summit and landscape

The summit overlooks the Helvellyn range. Gavel Pike’s cairn is below its natural high point; Birks’ lower Wainwright cairn is also distinct from its natural summit. Local Lord’s Seat on the eastern approach is not the hill of that name near Whinlatter.

Geology and history

The local rocks belong to the Borrowdale volcanic succession. BGS describes volcanic-derived sediment and ignimbrite around St Sunday Crag; the exact summit rock unit is unresolved. Glenamara’s former deer park and the Wordsworth association near Grisedale Tarn provide nearby historical context. The hill-name derivation remains unverified.

Planning a visit

Both circuits start and finish in Patterdale. Parking and village facilities are below the mountain. Confirm charges, opening times and the current 508 timetable rather than relying on assumed frequency. Route summaries do not establish on-day conditions or remove the need for navigation.

Explore routes near St Sunday Crag

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Striding Edge, Helvellyn and Catstye Cam

12 km ~6h 30m Hard

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Helvellyn via Striding Edge

11.2 km ~6h Hard

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Bow Fell from Langdale

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Scafell Pike from Seathwaite via the Corridor Route

14.1 km ~7h Hard

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Patterdale, Gavel Pike and St Sunday Crag via Grisedale Tarn

From Patterdale car park (NY395159), go through Glenamara Park, cross the ford and climb Thornhow End. Take the terrace that bypasses Birks, reach the saddle and visit Gavel Pike before St Sunday Crag. Descend southwest to Deepdale Hause, then take the steep westward zigzags and continue southwest to Grisedale Tarn. Cross its outflow and follow Grisedale Beck past Ruthwaite Lodge, the beck bridge and Elmhow. Follow Grisedale road to the A592 and return to the same car park. WalkLakes gives 14.6 km, 748 m ascent and a minimum 4 hours 10 minutes for this full circuit. The loose Deepdale Hause descent has serious fall consequences. Fairfield and Cofa Pike are not included.

14.6 km Strenuous; rough paths and steep loose descent

St Sunday Crag via Lord’s Seat, returning over Birks and Arnison Crag

From Patterdale car park (NY395159), go via Rookin and Beckstones, cross Goldrill Beck and the A592, and continue past Lane Head and Wall End. After Coldcove Beck, use the faint Latterhaw Crag path to quarry waste, then climb the largely pathless southeast ridge of local Lord’s Seat. Continue over Gavel Pike to St Sunday Crag. Return north and northeast to the Birks ridge; descend beside the old wall to Trough Head and cross Arnison Crag. Descend northwest then north to Patterdale Hotel and cross the A592 to the starting car park. The Great Outdoors gives 11.8 km, 829 m ascent and 4½–5 hours. This is a demanding pathless alternative; the Gavel Pike approach may require hands.

11.8 km Strenuous; steep, largely pathless ascent
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Simm Hewitt Nuttall High Hills of Britain Wainwright Birkett Synge Fellranger

Elevation

841m

2,760 ft

Prominence

160m

Coordinates

54.5119, -2.9758

NY369133

OS Map

90

Explorer: OL5S

At the Summit

DoBIH records the highest point as a rock 2 m north of the cairn, at NY 36920 13396, with an elevation of 841.2 m.

Terrain & Geology

Rough rocky paths grassy ridges and boggy sections. The Grisedale Tarn circuit includes a steep loose descent from Deepdale Hause; the eastern Lord’s Seat approach is largely pathless.

BGS describes the St Sunday Crag area within the Ordovician Borrowdale Volcanic Group. Its Deepdale Formation contains volcaniclastic sandstone and the St Sunday Crag Member, an ignimbrite described as dacitic or rhyodacitic lapilli-tuff. These regional descriptions do not establish the precise rock unit at the highest point.

Views & Scenery

The Helvellyn range, Ullswater and Fairfield feature in the published route accounts. Views depend on weather and visibility.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The derivation of St Sunday Crag has not been established from an inspected specialist place-name source. The earlier local-church dedication explanation is unsupported.

Historical Significance

Glenamara Park on the Patterdale approach is a former deer enclosure. Near Grisedale Tarn, the Wordsworth Trust associates the Brothers’ Parting Stone with William’s last farewell to his brother John, who died at sea in 1805. These are nearby landscape and route associations, not summit monuments.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

The published routes start at the pay-and-display car park opposite Patterdale Hotel, NY395159. Check current charges and availability before setting out.

Public Transport

National Trust guidance identifies the 508 bus from Penrith to Patterdale. Check the current operator timetable, seasonal operation and return service before travelling.

Nearby Facilities

The National Trust lists places to eat and public toilets in Patterdale, with further facilities in Glenridding. These are valley facilities; check current opening hours.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • The steep, loose westward descent from Deepdale Hause has serious fall consequences.
  • Indistinct paths and rough or boggy ground require mountain navigation. Do not improvise descents down craggy flanks.
  • The Lord’s Seat approach is steep and largely pathless; hands may be needed near Gavel Pike. Pinnacle Ridge is a separate technical scrambling line, not part of these walking circuits.
  • Routes cross roads and pass grazing livestock. Keep dogs closely controlled; follow local signs.

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 St Sunday Crag?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around St Sunday Crag through the maps

Are there other walkers around St Sunday Crag?

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 St Sunday Crag search or of course create your own walk for St Sunday Crag

Can I organise a walk to St Sunday Crag?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

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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 St Sunday Crag?

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.

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The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

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Location

St Sunday Crag location map

Grid reference: NY369133

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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