Little Hart Crag [Little Hart Crag - West Top]

Little Hart Crag

Little Hart Crag is a 637-metre Wainwright in the Eastern Fells. The West Top is both the highest point and the Wainwright summit, marked by a cairn on rock at NY 38731 10030. The eastern top is lower. Summit profile; survey record.

A return walk from Cow Bridge

Start at Cow Bridge car park near Brothers Water. Parking charges apply to non-members of the National Trust; check the current signs and terms. Leave room for other vehicles and have an alternative plan if it is full. Parking information.

Leave the southern end of the car park and follow the shore path beside Brothers Water to Hartsop Hall. Valley access.

Just beyond the hall, turn left before the farm building, cross the footbridge and continue to the barn beneath High Hartsop Dodd. Go through the gate and bear left beside the wall. Where the wall turns away, keep ahead towards Caiston Glen. Stay on the western side of Caiston Beck for the ascent to Scandale Pass. Lower approach; glen path.

Climb beside the beck to the pass. Take the path on the north side of the wall towards Dove Crag. When the wall bends west, continue beside the old fence line, then leave that path to the right for the small col west of Little Hart Crag. Climb from the col to the rocky West Top. Ascent photographs.

Return west to the col and retrace the path to the old fence line and wall, then descend to Scandale Pass. Take the path north down Caiston Glen, keeping the beck on your right. The ground between summit and pass needs careful navigation in cloud; identify your return line before leaving the top. Descent guidance.

In the lower glen, retrace the outward path to the barn beneath High Hartsop Dodd, then cross the bridge towards Hartsop Hall. Follow the lakeside track back to Cow Bridge. Valley return.

Summit and neighbouring fells

The close views take in Dove Crag and Red Screes, with Brothers Water below. Summit photographs. High Hartsop Dodd and Middle Dodd are nearby, but adding either changes the outing and its descent. Nearby summits.

Geology

The summit is mapped as Middle Dodd Dacite Formation, part of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group. Summit geology. This volcanic rock formed as a lava flow; BGS describes crystals, flow banding and pale weathered surfaces, and identifies Little Hart Crag as a reference section. Rock description.

Planning the day

Check current bus services to Cow Bridge before relying on them. The Brotherswater Inn at Sykeside is off this route and has customer-only toilets. Visitor information.

Carry a map and compass you can use, waterproofs, warm layers, food and drinking water. Check the mountain forecast and allow daylight for the whole return. Wet rock can be slippery; strong winds and storms make exposed ground hazardous. Snow and ice require winter skills and suitable equipment. Walking safety.