St. Sunday Crag Walk

Route Description for St. Sunday Crag Walk

The St. Sunday Crag Walk is a great adventure in the Lake District that features a fair bit of uphill climbing to reach the summit of the mountain. While this is fairly straightforward, you should still wear sturdy walking boots in order to better traverse the rugged terrain. Additionally, parking at the Church of Saint Patrick is quite limited and only available on weekdays. If you find yourself needing an alternate parking area, try a bit further along the road at the Patterdale Hotel.

Although this route features a fair bit of work to reach the summit viewpoint, you can rest assured that you will be rewarded with some spectacular views overlooking the stunning Lake District landscape. The trail sets out from Patterdale and heads southwest along the foot of the mountain until you arrive at the shores of Grisedale Tarn. From here, you will begin the uphill climb to the summit of St. Sunday Crag to enjoy some amazing views over Ullswater before descending the opposite slope on the return to the village. You’ll likely break a bit of a sweat on this walk, but the views are well worth the effort.

Setting out from the Church of Saint Patrick, follow the road west for 0.2 km and turn left, continuing on for 0.2 km until you arrive at a fork. Take the road on the right, following it for the next 2.3 km as you cut across the picturesque English countryside between Grisedale Beck and the foot of the mountain. After passing by the Elmhow Plantation on your left, head through the gate and keep right along the trail for the next 0.9 km to cross over a stream and arrive at another junction.

Take the path on the right and cross over another stream before heading left down the trail. After 0.2 km, turn right and keep straight along the trail for the next 2.4 km, climbing uphill along the winding banks of Grisedale Beck until you come to a fork. Head left here to make your way to the edge of Grisedale Tarn, a peaceful body of water nestled amongst the mountains.

After taking in the views, head east along the trail, keeping straight for the next 1.9 km to climb even further up the hillside on the approach to the summit of St. Sunday Crag. Along this section of the trail, you will gain a beautiful perspective over surrounding peaks as you gain more elevation along the route. Reaching a fork in the path, head right to continue up to the summit viewpoint to enjoy the views overlooking Ullswater to the northeast.

From the summit, take the path on the left and follow it for 0.8 km, keeping right to begin your descent of the peak. At the fork, keep straight and continue downhill for 1.8 km, as you skirt around the summit of Birks on your right and arrive at a gate. Make your way through the gate and keep left along the trail to descend between the rugged bits of terrain at Thornhow End.

Keep straight for another 0.7 km, as you finish your descent of the hillside and arrive at the edge of the road. Turn right and follow the same route that you used at the beginning of your walk to take you back through Patterdale on the final leg of the journey to the car park at the Church of Saint Patrick.

Insider Hints for St. Sunday Crag Walk

• Limited parking is available at the Church of St. Patrick on weekdays, otherwise, walkers will need to park at the nearby Patterdale Hotel.
• The trail is a bit windy and exposed in certain areas. Wear plenty of layers.
• This walk features a fair bit of uphill walking on steep terrain. Wear sturdy walking boots.
• The White Lion Inn is a great spot near the trailhead for some post-walk drinks.