Route: Great Crag
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 29th November 2013
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.5 miles
Ascent: 1,600 feet
We parked in Rosthwaite and crossed over Stonethwaite Beck, taking the track to Watendlath. It was easy going with good views back over Borrowdale
Before reaching Watendlath we turned off the main track in the direction on Great Crag. This is real wilderness country, very remote and wild. The gloomy weather and high wind added to the atmosphere
The top of the fell was easily reached and we then descended to meet the main track leading back into Borrowdale. A very steep section down a slippery rock staircase slowed us down – a fall here would have been painful so we trod with great care
Once back to valley level we joined the Cumbria Way which followed the course of Stonethwaite Beck back into Rosthwaite. We thoroughly enjoyed this walk in the wilderness
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
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)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Leaving Rosthwaite
Colourful herdies
Crossing Stonethwaite Beck
Our progress is being monitored
Looking back to Rosthwaite
The terrain becomes bleaker
Great Crag is ahead, but we can’t make a direct approach due to the sign below
Watendlath and its tarn
Looking back in the direction of Grange Fell
We turned off the path here to make the short climb to the top of the fell
Summit of Great Crag, with Watendlath Tarn in the distance
We try to pick out our descent route through the wilderness ahead
Bonnie waits patiently for someone to lift the dog gate
Thanks Gill
Eagle Crag
Lots of slip and trip hazards on this steep section through a sessile oak wood
Back down to valley level, Stonethwaite is ahead
Eagle Crag and the lower crags of Rosthwaite Fell
On the Cumbria Way now and heading back to Rosthwaite
Looking back along Stonethwaite Beck
Back to the start - Rosthwaite
