Western Fells · Book 7

Grike

Grike is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 488 m (1,601 ft) it is the 177th highest of the 214 and the 29th highest in the Western Fells.

Height: 488 m; 1,601 ft
Rank: 177; of 214
In area: 29; of 33
Difficulty: Moderate

Grike in the Western Fells of the Lake District — Photo: Mick Knapton via Wikimedia Commons

About Grike

A western outlier above Ennerdale, where easy forestry tracks lead onto open moor. The grassy summit, with its big stone cairn, looks across to the high fells around the head of Ennerdale. Often combined with Crag Fell and Lank Rigg for a quiet round.

Locals know Grike as Stone Man, after the massive cairn on its summit. It is a modest, grassy hill at the western edge of the fells, near the foot of Ennerdale Water.

Walkers mostly start from the Cold Fell road south of Ennerdale Bridge. There is informal parking on rough ground at the end of a track over Scaly Moss, near the Kinniside Stone Circle. A signed bridleway to Crag Fell, once the road to the iron mines, climbs round Blakeley Raise and into the plantation, much of it now felled. Follow the forest track along the fence to a step stile, then head up open ground to the top. From Ennerdale Bridge, or the car parks at the foot of the lake, the lane to Crag Farm leads to the path towards Crag Fell. Leave it at Ben Gill and climb the hillside to the right.

The ground is grass, with forestry tracks, a few step stiles and boggy dips. Nothing is steep for long.

Stone Man

The top is an otherwise grassy dome with one huge cairn and two smaller ones, built from the stones that litter it, plus a wind shelter. The sea view is wide. Crag Fell blocks much of Lakeland to the east, but the Western Fells around Ennerdale are well seen, and Fairfield, Dollywaggon Pike and Skiddaw appear in the distance. You look down on the foot of Ennerdale Water and the River Ehen flowing out of it.

Iron mines worked the northern slopes of Grike and Crag Fell from 1860 to 1896, with levels in Goat Gill and Red Gill and the main drift between them. The ore never came in the quantities hoped for, and the venture failed.

In winter

Peaty hollows between Grike and Crag Fell hold water and snow, and the broad tops have few features apart from the fence and the radio mast. If you add Lank Rigg, the return along Whoap Beck crosses two fords that are dangerous in spate.

Quiet & Remote
Family Walk
Dog Friendly

Sources: Wikipedia: Grike, Walk Lakes: Grike, Crag Fell, Lank Rigg. Updated 22 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 085 140
Latitude: 54.51375° N
Longitude: 3.41485° W
Area: Western Fells

Walking up Grike

The nearest car park on foot is Bleach Green Car Park, 2.9 km (1.8 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Bleach Green Car Park

Distance: 2.9 km; 1.8 miles, one way
Ascent: 380 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 1 h 11 min; Allow 1 to 2 hours

Height in metres along the path from Bleach Green Car Park to the summit.

Times use Naismith’s rule, 5 km/h on the flat plus extra time for the climb, with Langmuir’s corrections. It’s a rule of thumb for the way up only, so add stops, weather and the walk back down.

The route follows paths mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors and isn’t a guided line. Check the mountain forecast before you go and carry a map and compass.

Grike questions

Is Grike a Wainwright?

Yes. Grike is one of the 214 fells Alfred Wainwright described in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, in Book 7, The Western Fells.

How high is Grike?

Grike is 488 metres (1,601 feet) high. That makes it the 177th highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the 29th highest in the Western Fells.

Where do you park for Grike?

The nearest car park on foot is Bleach Green Car Park, 2.9 km (1.8 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Grike?

From Bleach Green Car Park it is 2.9 km with 380 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 1 h 11 min, so allow 1 to 2 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Grike?

Upfell rates Grike as moderate. Check the mountain weather forecast before you set out and carry a map and compass.

Which Wainwrights are near Grike?

The closest are Crag Fell (523 m, 1.3 km E), Lank Rigg (541 m, 2.2 km S) and Great Borne (616 m, 4.5 km NE).

What is the grid reference for the summit of Grike?

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 085 140, or 54.51375, -3.41485 in latitude and longitude.