Great Carrs

Great Carrs

Great Carrs is a 785-metre Wainwright in the southern Lake District. Its cairn stands on rock at NY 27079 00949, with a recorded prominence of 23 metres. Swirl How is a separate, higher summit to the south-east. Summit record.

The summit and its setting

The northern cairn is the Wainwright top, in The Southern Fells. From here, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell frame the northern outlook; Skiddaw can appear in the distance on a clear day. The Halifax memorial further along the ridge is a separate landmark, not the summit cairn. Summit identification and views.

Great Carrs and Grey Friar from Wrynose Pass

WalkLakes records 7.5 km and 508 m of ascent for this circuit from NY276026. Its 2 hours 21 minutes is a minimum; allow extra time for navigation, stops and conditions. Circuit measurements.

From the top of Wrynose Pass, take the southbound path across the wet stepping-stone section. Climb to the cairned junction on Wet Side Edge and note it for the return. Turn right along the ridge, then keep to the upper line over Little Carrs and climb the rocky ground to Great Carrs. Ridge approach.

Pass the memorial and cross Fairfield col. Climb Grey Friar’s rocky eastern side to its two cairns; the left, south-eastern cairn marks the summit. Across to Grey Friar.

Retrace to Fairfield, then take the leftward path below Great Carrs to the gap between Little Carrs and Hell Gill Pike. Visit Hell Gill Pike and follow Wet Side Edge to the cairned junction. Turn left down the outward path to Wrynose Pass. Return route.

An extension to Swirl How adds distance and climbing.

Volcanic rock

The summit lies on the Long Top Tuff Member, within the Airy’s Bridge Tuff Formation and Borrowdale Volcanic Group. These are Ordovician volcanic rocks. Local geology.

The British Geological Survey describes rhyolitic tuff and lapilli-tuff, with layers of finer tuff and local volcanic breccia. These rocks preserve ash and larger fragments produced by ancient eruptions. Leave the outcrops intact. Rock-unit description.

The Halifax memorial

The memorial commemorates the eight crew members of Halifax LL505 who died here on 22 October 1944. Aircraft undercarriage remains lie beside a cairn and cross. IWM records a replacement slate plaque in 2005 and rebuilding of the cairn with a new cross in 2014. Treat this as a place of remembrance and leave all wreckage undisturbed. War Memorials Register.

Parking, transport and access

There are small, informal parking spaces near the top of Wrynose Pass and Three Shire Stone. The approach road is steep and narrow. Park only where permitted, leaving passing places and the road clear; have another plan if the spaces are occupied. Start and parking.

Check road conditions before travelling and obey closure signs. In October 2026, the council reported new remotely operated adverse-weather closure signs at Wrynose Pass. A clear road in the valley does not establish that the pass is usable. Council winter advice.

Stagecoach 516 links Ambleside with Elterwater and Dungeon Ghyll, but does not call at this Wrynose Pass start. A bus-based outing needs a separately planned connection and different walking totals. Check the timetable for your date and the return journey. Current 516 timetable.

Consult current access information and respect temporary restrictions and signs on the ground. Keep dogs under close control. Access guidance.

Before setting out

Stay back from Greenburn’s cliff edge, especially in cloud. Cliff warning.

Check a mountain forecast, carry a map and compass, waterproofs, warm layers, food, water and a torch, and leave your route with someone. Avoid the ridge in high winds or storms. Snow and ice demand winter skills and equipment; finish before dark. In an emergency call 999 or 112, ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue. Walking safety.