Castle Crag

Castle Crag

Overview

Castle Crag is the 290 m rocky fell in the Jaws of Borrowdale, south of Derwent Water. The lowest Wainwright has old slate workings, a First World War memorial and views along the valley. The Seatoller circuit follows a high path out and the river back, with a steep slate-spoil ascent and a short chain-assisted rocky passage on the return. It belongs to Wainwright’s North Western Fells.

Summit and views

The 290 m summit is a rock outcrop at NY 24932 15942, above the war memorial tablet. The summit cairn changes over time and can be absent, so do not rely on finding an intact shelter. In clear weather the summit looks north over Derwent Water towards Skiddaw and south into Borrowdale, with Glaramara, Great End and the Scafell fells beyond. High Spy rises to the west and Great Crag across the valley.

Route from Seatoller

Start and finish at Seatoller National Trust car park. Walk through the hamlet and climb to the high contour path; follow it across Tongue Gill to the ladder-stile approach to Castle Crag. Ascend the slate-spoil zigzags and pass right of the quarry to the summit. Descend the same summit path, then continue downhill into the woods and take the footbridge towards the River Derwent. Follow the riverside route south, passing the optional Millican Dalton cave turn without taking it. At the stone packhorse bridge near Rosthwaite stay on the same bank, cross the wooden footbridge and continue to Longthwaite. Beyond the hostel negotiate the short chain-assisted rocky passage, then follow Johnny Wood back to the original car park. The National Trust gives 8 km and 3–4¼ hours. Steep loose slate, stiles and the riverside scramble require sure-footedness; do not attempt the river passage in flood or if footing is unsafe. The cave detour adds distance; walks from Rosthwaite or Grange have different lengths.

Terrain and safety

Valley tracks, rough and pitched stone paths, stiles, woodland roots, steep loose slate-spoil zigzags, summit rock and a short chain-assisted riverside scramble on the Seatoller circuit.

• Loose slate on the summit zigzags can slide underfoot. Keep to the path and avoid dislodging stones onto walkers below.
• Quarry faces and steep summit edges have serious drops. Keep children close; do not scramble directly through workings or use quarry faces as shortcuts.
• The Seatoller circuit has a short chain-assisted rocky passage beside the river beyond Longthwaite. Wet rock, ice or a swollen river make it more serious; the chain does not remove the risk of a fall. Turn back if the passage is unsafe.
• Heavy rain can flood riverside paths and cover stepping stones. This circuit stays on the riverside path and does not require the Rosthwaite stepping stones; do not improvise a river crossing.
• Millican Dalton’s quarry caves are below the summit, reached from a separate riverside branch. Their presence on walking guides is not assurance that underground workings are stable or permission to enter restricted areas.
• Follow signed paths and local closures. Keep dogs on leads near livestock; ladder stiles and the chain section can be awkward for dogs.

Rain makes slate, stone steps and the riverside rock passage slippery; flooding can block lower paths. Ice makes the steep summit approach and chain-assisted section hazardous. Short winter daylight and seasonal toilet closures affect planning; allow time to return before dark.

Access and facilities

For the described circuit use Seatoller National Trust car park, NY246137, CA12 5XN. Pay-and-display; NT members park free. Carry coins because mobile reception can be poor. No overnight parking. Rosthwaite NT car park, NY257148, CA12 5XB, serves different shorter approaches; their distances are not the Seatoller circuit’s. Stagecoach 78 links Keswick, Grange Bridge, Rosthwaite and Seatoller, where it turns at the National Trust car park. Check the timetable for your walking date and the last return; seasonal 77/77A services may provide another option. Seatoller car park has toilets, including an accessible toilet requiring a Radar key, but the National Trust warns that toilets are often closed in winter. Rosthwaite has a café and toilets, also subject to winter closure. Carry food and water; check refreshment opening times.

Geology

Castle Crag exposes the Eagle Crag Sandstone Member of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group. These Ordovician rocks include layers of volcaniclastic siltstone, sandstone, conglomerate and breccia, with tuffs and intrusive andesite sills. Slate quarrying has left terraces, faces and spoil heaps; glacial erosion shaped the surrounding Borrowdale valley.

History

Castle Crag’s summit land was given to the National Trust in memory of John Hamer and the men of Borrowdale killed in the First World War. The slate tablet is distinct from the summit cairn. The Atlas of Hillforts records a possible hillfort, partly lost to quarrying, with uncertain interpretation and dating. Below the summit, Millican Dalton used quarry caves as a summer home while working as an outdoor guide.