NY2415 : Trees on Castle Crag

Castle Crag

290m Elevation
76m Prominence
England Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

NY2415 : Trees on Castle Crag

Philip Jeffrey Photo source

Explore routes near Castle Crag

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Scafell Pike from Seathwaite via the Corridor Route

14.1 km ~7h Hard

View route

Scafell Pike via Brown Tonge and Hollow Stones

8.1 km ~4h Hard

View route

Helvellyn via Striding Edge

11.2 km ~6h Hard

View route

Striding Edge, Helvellyn and Catstye Cam

12 km ~6h 30m Hard

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Borrowdale Circular via Castle Crag

This popular route starts from the National Trust car park in Rosthwaite. Head south along the Cumbria Way before taking a sharp left to ascend Castle Crag. The climb is short but steep, involving a slate scree path. At the summit, enjoy panoramic views of the Borrowdale Valley before descending towards the River Derwent and looping back to Rosthwaite.

5.6 km ~2 hours Moderate

Castle Crag from Grange-in-Borrowdale

Begin in Grange village, crossing the old stone bridge over the River Derwent. Follow the trail north along the riverbank before ascending the wooded slopes of Castle Crag. The final section features a slate path leading to the summit cairn. Descend towards Rosthwaite and return to Grange via the riverside path.

6.5 km ~2.5 hours Moderate

Castle Crag via Seatoller and High Doat

From Seatoller, head northeast along the path to High Doat, offering stunning views of the surrounding fells. Descend to the River Derwent and follow the trail to Castle Crag. After summiting, return via the Cumbria Way, passing through Johnny Wood to complete the loop back to Seatoller.

7.2 km ~3 hours Moderate

Castle Crag Linear Walk from Rosthwaite

This straightforward linear route starts in Rosthwaite. Follow the Cumbria Way along the River Derwent until the path climbs steeply up to Castle Crag. After enjoying the views, retrace your steps back to Rosthwaite for a simple yet rewarding walk.

4.8 km ~1.5 hours Easy

Extended Borrowdale Loop including Castle Crag

This longer route begins in Rosthwaite, following the Cumbria Way south to Seatoller. Ascend High Doat, then drop down to the River Derwent and climb to Castle Crag. Descend towards Grange and return to Rosthwaite via the riverside path, completing a full circuit of Borrowdale.

10 km ~4 hours Moderate
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

200-299m hill Wainwright Synge Fellranger

Elevation

290m

951 ft

Prominence

76m

Coordinates

54.5332, -3.1616

NY249159

OS Map

89 90

Explorer: OL4S

At the Summit

The summit is marked by a small but notable cairn, offering a perfect spot for a photo opportunity and a breather before heading back down.

Terrain & Geology

Rugged and rocky with sections of grassy slopes punctuated by boulders and occasional mud patches.

Castle Crag is predominantly composed of Skiddaw slate, a sedimentary rock that has been around for approximately 500 million years. Its distinctive rocky outcrops create striking views and a dramatic landscape.

Views & Scenery

Dramatic vistas of Borrowdale, Derwentwater, and as far as Skiddaw in the north. On a clear day, you might even spot the distant outlines of the Pennines.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Castle Crag' is thought to derive from its castle-like crags that tower over the surrounding landscape.

Historical Significance

The crag has been a popular spot for hikers since the 19th century, often celebrated in literature by local poets and artists.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

There is a small car park near the base of the trail on the roadside at Grange, with limited spaces available.

Public Transport

Regular bus services run to Grange from Keswick, with a short walk required to reach the trailhead.

Nearby Facilities

There are no facilities directly at the trailhead, but Grange offers a couple of tea rooms and public toilets.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Beware of loose stones, especially on the rocky ascent. Muddy patches can also be slippery after rain.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Castle Crag?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Castle Crag through the maps

Are there other walkers around Castle Crag?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Castle Crag search or of course create your own walk for Castle Crag

Can I organise a walk to Castle Crag?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Castle Crag.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Castle Crag?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Castle Crag here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

Castle Crag location map

Grid reference: NY249159

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Glaramara

783m

Fleetwith Pike

649m

 Great Gable

Great Gable

899m

 Esk Pike

Esk Pike

885m

 Bowfell

Bowfell

903m
See 5 more nearby hills