Scotland
Affric Kintail Way
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- On trail 14.5 mi 23.3 km
- Walking time 7–8 h
- Ascent 1,240 m 4,050 ft
- Descent 1,140 m 3,750 ft
- Difficulty Hard
Two high crossings, with Grasmere in the valley between them.
Section 3: Rosthwaite to Patterdale map
Example stay Patterdale Hotel
Cross-check: Coast to Coast route description on National Trails . The walk is taken from that page, checked 12 October 2026. Miles on our line are measured between these ends on the imported path. Where a walking guide uses the same two ends, its miles are from walkcoasttocoast.co.uk, also checked 12 October 2026.
The walk
A bridleway beside Stonethwaite Beck climbs Greenup Gill to Greenup Edge, crosses Grasmere Common, and drops below Helm Crag into the valley. After the A591 the path climbs Little Tongue Gill to Grisedale Tarn, passes Ruthwaite Lodge, and follows Grisedale Beck down to Patterdale. On our line this is 14.5 miles (23.3 km), with 1,240 m (about 4,070 ft) of climb, the most of any official section. A walking guide's two stages between these same villages add up to 13.9 miles (22.4 km) and 1,190 m (about 3,900 ft).
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Start of section
Rosthwaite
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Greenup Edge
The first climb leaves Stonethwaite Beck and crosses the edge before the drop toward Grasmere.
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Grisedale Tarn
The second climb crosses the tarn, then a long footpath follows the beck into Patterdale.
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End of section
Patterdale
Section 3: Rosthwaite to Patterdale overview
The ground
- A steep gill, open high ground that is often boggy, a valley road, then a second pass.
Two passes, with a valley in between. This is the biggest climb on the official sections. The walking guide grades each half moderate, and the joined day still carries more ascent than any other day on its 14-day plan.
Stops
Refreshments
- The night in Patterdale on the published plans is the Patterdale Hotel. The path passes through Grasmere on the way
Toilets
- No source used for this section names a public toilet
Before you go
Opposite direction
Patterdale to Rosthwaite
Walked the other way, you climb out of Patterdale to Grisedale Tarn, cross Grasmere, and finish over Greenup Edge into Rosthwaite.
End of section
Rosthwaite
Rosthwaite to Patterdale FAQ
Why do the two mile figures differ?
Our line measures 14.5 miles (23.3 km) and 1,240 m of climb between Rosthwaite and Patterdale. The walking guide's stages between the same villages add up to 13.9 miles (22.4 km) and 1,190 m. Both figures stay.
Walk this as a day
Used as Day 3 on the 10-day. Open the planner on that preset, then export a full-trip or per-day GPX.
Open in planner Read the 10-day itinerary
Full-trip and per-day GPX files. Free, no account.
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