Green Crag

Green Crag

Green Crag is a 488.7-metre Wainwright in the Southern Fells. Its rocky summit rises above the moorland south of Eskdale. Fell details.

The summit and its setting

The surveyed high point is rock five metres northwest of the cairn, at SD 20015 98276. A separate rock rib 25 metres northeast is only two centimetres lower. Take care to identify the highest rock rather than stopping automatically at the cairn. Summit survey.

Low Birker Tarn, peat-storage huts and the winding paths above Eskdale give the approach plenty of interest. The final climb is short and steep, while wet hollows and faint paths demand attention elsewhere. In clear weather, the outlook includes the Duddon Estuary. Landscape and walking account.

Volcanic rock

The summit bedrock belongs to the Birker Fell Andesite Formation. Summit geology.

This Ordovician formation is part of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group. It consists mainly of andesite lava flows, often with broken rock at their margins, alongside smaller amounts of basalt, dacite, intrusions and volcanic debris. These rocks record ancient eruptions in the Lake District. BGS formation description.

A circuit from Wha House

Walking Britain gives this circuit as 10.6 km with 576 metres of ascent and an estimated 4 hours 50 minutes. Allow extra time for stops and navigation. Route details.

Walk east from Wha House car park, cross the Esk bridge and turn right onto the riverside path. Keep right through woodland, passing Penny Hill Farm. Turn left on the lane to Low Birker. Climb the zigzag peat track past the ruined hut and Low Birker Tarn. Skirt Tarn Crag to the saddle between Crook Crag and Green Crag, then climb right to the summit. Ascent.

Return to the saddle and cross Crook Crag. Navigate north across indistinct ground to the path west of Kepple Crag. Descend to Penny Hill Farm, turn right and reverse the outward riverside path, bridge and road to Wha House. Complete return.

Carry a map and compass and know how to use them. Do not rely on a faint trod or a phone alone. Choose weather and visibility that suit your navigation skills, and turn back if conditions deteriorate. Planning advice.

Getting there

Wha House is an established parking location in Eskdale. Follow on-site signs and keep road, farm and emergency access clear. National Park parking information.

Access check, 6 November 2026: a council notice covers the C4026 at Eskdale Green, west of Randlehow. Drainage-work restrictions were expected for one week from 2 November, 09:00–15:30 when signed, including pedestrians and cyclists. Check diversions before travelling. This concerns an approach road, not a reported fell closure. Dated road notice.

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway runs to Dalegarth for Boot, not Wha House. Plan the additional journey to this walk’s start and check outward and return connections with Northern’s mainline services. Dalegarth has toilets and a café; café hours vary with the railway timetable. Railway visitor information.

Check current access notices before setting out. Respect temporary restrictions, keep dogs controlled and leave space for other users on shared paths. National Park access guidance.

Preparing for the fell

Take waterproofs, warm spare layers, food, water and a headtorch. Check a mountain forecast and leave your route and return time with someone. Snow, ice and short winter days increase the demands of rough ground. In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue. Mountain Rescue advice.