Route: Great Crag
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 5th August 2022
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.6 miles
Ascent: 1,400 feet
Weather: Mixed cloud and sunshine, with a few light showers
Great Crag is a mid-level lakeland fell which I visited this time last year, when it was covered with a coat of purple heather. Hoping for more of the same, we decided to revisit the fell
We parked just outside the small hamlet of Stonethwaite, where there are several parking spaces . We crossed the nearby beck via Stonethwaite Bridge, turning right immediately to join the Cumbria Way for a short distance. We then left the Cumbria Way to join a path heading uphill. This is easily missed – look out for an old sheepfold at the junction. It was a steep climb, but the addition of rock steps made the ascent a straightforward affair and before long we arrived at Dock Tarn. The tarn is surrounded by numerous mounds and tors, all covered with heather, and it’s a lovely sight. In the words of Alfred Wainwright, ‘Dock Tarn is a place to lie adreaming, and life seems a sweet sweet thing’
Great Crag is a complicated place, full of ups and downs, and determining the summit and the path to it is not a simple affair. There are numerous small paths, some of which peter out. We simply aimed for the highest point and, after some meandering, arrived there. Another top with a slightly larger cairn was nearby, so we visited that too. Both are wonderful spots
We descended to rejoin the main path below and headed in the direction of Watendlath and its tarn. The path took us across some wild and very juicy terrain leading to Puddingstone Bank. From here the path descended alongside Bowdergate Gill, with wonderful views into Borrowdale, before merging with the Cumbria Way lower down. From here it was a short stroll beside Stonethwaite Beck back into Stonethwaite, and the end of a superb walk
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Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
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The start of the walk from the hamlet of Stonethwaite
We cross Stonethwaite Bridge and turn right to join the Cumbria Way
After following the Cumbria Way for a short distance we turn uphill at this sheepfold
Crags below Rosthwaite Fell
Looking back to Stonethwaite
We cross this stile in the wall
A stone staircase during the early part of the ascent
The Honister Pass and Fleetwith Pike
We pass by another old sheepfold
Looking back to Rosthwaite Fell
Waterfalls in Willygrass Gill, which flows out of Dock Tarn
Eagle Crag and Sergeant's Crag
We cross this stile, here looking back to Eagle Crag and Sergeant's Crag, with Langstrath on the right...
...and now looking back to Rosthwaite Fell...
The path is never far from Willygrass Gill, which is a reliable guide if doubts arise
We arrive at Dock Tarn, a heavenly spot, and walk along its western side
Beyond the tarn we seek out the nearby summit of Great Crag, which is attained by turning left off the main path
There are two summits on the fell - this one is about 10 feet lower than the other
Looking down to Watendlath and its tarn
The other summit of Great Crag
Looking down into Borrowdale
The start of the descent
Lovely views of Watendlath Tarn as we make our way down...
We follow a faint path over some boggy and remote terrain. Grange Fell is ahead, and we'll turn left at its foot
Eventually we arrive at Puddingstone Bank, and pass through two gates to turn towards Borrowdale
The start of a heavenly descent, with views over Borrowdale all the way down...
We arrive back at valley level
Our path meets up with the Cumbria Way at this point and we turn left at the dry stone wall
Rosthwaite Fell ahead
The imposing face of Eagle Crag at the head of the valley...
We leave the Cumbria Way and turn sharp right into nearby Stonethwaite
We re-cross Stonethwaite Bridge and the end of the walk is just around the corner
