Castle Crag
290m (952ft)
The North Western Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
You can find Castle Crag & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)
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See Castle Crag and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 3.5ml (5.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 906ft (276m) |
| Time: | 2½ hrs |
| Grade: |  (Easy) |
Route Summary:
Grange (Borrowdale) - Borrowdale - The Cumbria Way - Holmcrag Wood - River Derwent - The Allerdale Ramble - Castle Crag - River Derwent - Grange (Borrowdale)
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 5.5ml (9km) |
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| Ascent: | 1,384ft (422m) |
| Time: | 3½ hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Seatoller - The Allerdale Ramble - Longthwaite - Rosthwaite - New Bridge - The River Derwent - The Cumbria Way - Castle Crag - Seatoller
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 10mls (16km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,349ft (1,082m) |
| Time: | 7.25hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Hawes End - Derwent Water - Skelgill Bank - Woodford's Path - Cat Bells (Catbells) - Maiden Moor - Narrow Moor - High Spy (North Top) - High Spy - Dale Head Tarn - Rigghead Quarries - The Allerdale Ramble - Castle Crag - River Derwent - Yewdale Knott - Manesty - Manesty Band - Hawes End - Derwent Water.
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Castle Crag
Neil Walker walked up on August 20th, 2025 [from/via/route] Grange [with] Hannah and Molly [weather] Cloudy. - Harder & longer than thought from guidebook descriptions. 8k walk
Sarah Gunn climbed it on February 27th, 2024 [from/via/route] From Littletown [with] Martin Gunn, Dan Gunn and Shannon Worton
Claire Kirk bagged it on February 16th, 2025 [from/via/route] Portinscale [with] Gareth [weather] Dry, cold
Geoff Hand hiked it on February 11th, 2025 [from/via/route] parking at Rosthwaite, we walked North along the river & climbed Castle Crag then continued to Grange.crossed the road & climbed upto Brund Fell Grange Fell [with] With Richard Macillwaine [weather] High cloud & cold! A few light flurries of snow. - 6m walk with two steep climbs. Stunning Borrowdale.
Ian Ashton summited on August 16th, 2024 [with] Wife and Ella 1st - Ì
David Higginbottom conquered it on April 23rd, 2024 [from/via/route] C405 [with] Carolyn [weather] Good
Sarah Moore scaled on March 29th, 2024 [from/via/route] c405 Amazing day having driven up early from Derby - & then a glorious Good Friday with clear views all day. Cat Bells - Maiden Moor - High Spy - down the Riggsdale Quarries - along the river back... [with] On my own [weather] Easter warmth - little wind & clear views all the way was incredible. - Over excited parking = parking ticket... And then coming down, & thinking about 2 more days of hiking I managed to twist my knee in a way that caused so much pain it's untrue. Writing this at the end of the weekend, I'm just glad it's ok & led to other things.
Clare Tait walked up on March 26th, 2024 [from/via/route] Our no:93 Wainwright We were staying at Lodore Falls & decided to drive to Rosthwaite. Lucky enough to find a place on the National Trust car park but then realised we had left the cards back at the Hotel & parking was about £8. However, a kindly NT attendant believed us & gave us a ticket for the car. And much appreciated it was. Easy walk to follow via Millican Dalton's cave & the beautiful riverside. Then the landscape changed before the walk up began. Broken & threatening with huge boulders scattered across the valley. The walk up to the summit was trickier than I had anticipated. What a strange summit or is it the top of a spoil heap? But very beautiful top indeed. [with] Charlie [weather] A lovely mixture of sun breaking through cloud with a chill breeze. - Take two walking poles for the top.
Kate Peacock climbed it on January 28th, 2024 [from/via/route] Via Grange [with] Sheila & Amber [weather] Dry & cloudy - Lush walk! Didn't expect it to be that nice!
Paul Macey bagged it on July 15th, 2023 [from/via/route] Using walk c405 in reverse not doing Cat Bells as did that in June [weather] Cloudy about 14degrees very strong winds with light to heavy rainfall
John Ramsbottom hiked it on May 1st, 2023 [from/via/route] walk c405 parked at roadside layby [with] Lola [weather] mixture of mist & sunshine - good walk rigghead quarry was interesting
Michael Lewis summited on September 1st, 2016 [from/via/route] With Tara when we stayed near Keswick [with] Tara [weather] Dry cold with snow on the ground from the previous 48 hourse
Angeline Grieveson conquered it on February 22nd, 2023 [with] Dotty
James Hughes scaled on February 6th, 2023 [from/via/route] Cat Bells, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Castle Crag [with] Solo [weather] Generally Clear, Cold - Frosty morning, beautiful vistas. Completed within 5 hours, quicker than 8 hour suggestion.
Christine Shepherd walked up on July 16th, 2006 [from/via/route] Used walk c135 from Seatoller Climbed again from Grange on 30.04.2021 3rd ascent from Seatoller on 25.10.22 [with] A group from St George's Church, Leeds [weather] Very, very hot & sunny.
Pete George climbed it on May 14th, 2022 [from/via/route] Rosthwaite [with] Roco [weather] Warm & clear
Neil Wallbank bagged it on May 2nd, 2022 [from/via/route] Grange [with] Tilly [weather] Cloudy
Kevin Marsden hiked it on February 5th, 2022 [from/via/route] Seatoller [weather] Torrential rain & strong wind
Tony Halliday summited on November 22nd, 2021 [from/via/route] Circular walk cat bells maiden moor high spy & castle crag [with] My boarder terrier jimmy [weather] The weather was cool no wind & dry decent views - Nice circular roughly 10 miles little gem of a wainwright
Tim Winn conquered it on October 3rd, 2021 [from/via/route] Rosthwaite [with] Barry, Roger, Paul, Andy and Dave [weather] Wet ………. Very wet!
Helen Williams scaled on April 12th, 2017 [from/via/route] Grange [with] Dad, Paul, Ross, Matthew and Sweep [weather] Cloudy with sunny spells
Claire Murray walked up on August 22nd, 2021 [from/via/route] National Trust Car Park was filled so had to park further away. Walked up Maiden Moor High Spy & Castle Crag. [with] Vitor [weather] Lovely day, very hot to start with but better nearer the top - Took around 7hrs to walk! But it was a lovely walk. Hard going up hill but definitely worth it.
Wayne Baxter climbed it on August 15th, 2021 [from/via/route] From Rosthwaite car park follow the path passed around the river Derwent up to Castle crag [with] Sue, Steven and Bev [weather] Cloudy
Ian Cox bagged it on July 7th, 2021 [from/via/route] Circular from Hawes End Ferry Jetty, taking in 4 Wainrights - ferry over from Keswick [with] Nicola Cox [weather] Beautiful sunshine & 20 degs
Julie Hill hiked it on April 15th, 2021 [from/via/route] Keswick [with] Dave Hill & Isla [weather] Sunny , windy,
Louise Gardner summited on June 5th, 2021 [from/via/route] Seatoiler [with] myself [weather] Sunny
Michael Nolan conquered it on April 16th, 2017 [weather] Brilliant bright day!
Michael Wright scaled on September 17th, 2020 [from/via/route] Seatoller [with] Anita [weather] Cloudy, then persistent rain
Dave Eyes walked up on October 2nd, 2020 [from/via/route] Parked at Rosthwaite NT Car Park. Walked along the path to Castle Crag. Returned via the path & went for a cup of tea in the tea shop. [with] Christine Eyes, John and Martine Power [weather] Lovely Sunny Day - Brilliant Views & a great way to complete our 214 Wainwrights
John Hanlon climbed it on August 13th, 2020 [from/via/route] Hotel- Langstrath Inn, walk started from Rosthwaite [with] Gail [weather] Sunny - 2 Wainwright walk, Castle Crag & Grange Fell 2of 2
Jane Wilkinson has bagged it [with] SAM JESS AND CLEMMIE [weather] SUNNY
Andy Buxton hiked it during August, 1968 [with] Solo [weather] Fine - Short, simple walk
Angela O'neill summited on April 1st, 2018 [weather] Dry & Bright
Adrian Howard conquered it on September 18th, 2017 [from/via/route] Grange
Gill Bates scaled on October 6th, 2018 [from/via/route] from Rothwaite
Mike Walker has walked up [with] Theresa
Christina Lander climbed it on November 28th, 2019 [from/via/route] Rosthwaite - Castle Crag - Low Hows Wood - Rosthwaite [with] Dick & Meg [weather] Partly cloudy but bright - Late afternoon walk at the beginning of the holiday
Charlotte Hill bagged it on August 23rd, 2019 [from/via/route] From Rosthwaite YHA & back [with] Lewis [weather] Drizzle - Paul & Alex canoed to Grange & Lewis & I walked up Castle Crag
Richard Marchant hiked it on August 30th, 2019 [from/via/route] We parked the car at the NT car park just off the B5289 near Quayfoot Quarry. We took the path out of the car park to Long Crag then ascended Brock Bield to Long Moss & eventually on to King's How. From there we followed the path down & across to Grange Fell. We then descended down to Rosthwaite & got on to the Cumbria Way & left it to ascend Castle Grag. Once we ascended Castle Crag we returned to the Cumbria Way & followed it to Grange & then on to the B5289 & back to the car. [with] My old friend from Sunderland Ray [weather] Bit of a light breeze but constant rain all day long. Cloud level was at about 650m - Ray did well to complete this walk, but on a serious note he needs to go to his GP & get a health check.
Geoffrey Robertshaw summited on June 14th, 2019 [from/via/route] Up from Roshwaite [with] Wife [weather] Great - Great Views at the top
Chris Kent conquered it on March 14th, 2019 [from/via/route] Parked in the National Trust car park in Borrowdale & did the walk straight up & back down again. Taking a couple of hours to complete we celebrated with a hot drink in the walkers cafe in the village. Definitely a must visit. [with] Gary (brother? [weather] Windy, showery & chilling - When parking in the village the Borrowdsle Mechanics Institute allows you to park all day, honesty box.
Simon Myerscough scaled on February 10th, 2019 [from/via/route] C135 from Seatoller [with] Joanne Myerscough [weather] Lovely day, cloudy & dry with light winds - brightening up at times
Andrew Johnson walked up on January 12th, 2019 [from/via/route] Rosthwaite [with] Chris ,Tim and Ted [weather] Cloudy & drizzle.
Richard Beardsley climbed it on August 30th, 2018 [from/via/route] Walked route c376. Castle Crag via Grange. Return route via Rothswaite. [with] Gillian [weather] Sunny, beautiful day. Whisper of Beautiful day, nice & warm sunny day. Fantastic views of Derwentwater. - Parked car at Bowderstone. Time taken 5 Hours
Vic Royle bagged it on May 17th, 2018 [from/via/route] Last night at Annabel's [with] Team Wiggle [weather] Muggy mist - Slippery roots not much of a hoot
Craig Steeland hiked it on May 11th, 2018 [from/via/route] From Rosthwaite village [with] Sue [weather] Cloudy & cool & fairly breezy
David Richards summited on August 8th, 2010 [with] Fran and Tinker [weather] Sunny
John Tippins conquered it on March 29th, 2018 [from/via/route] Started at Seatoller. [with] Solo [weather] Bright, sunny day & warm enough to walk in a t-shirt, if you're hardy.
Lucy Perchard scaled on September 15th, 2017 [from/via/route] From Rosthwaite via High Doat [with] Tony [weather] Sunny spellls - Our 27th wedding anniversary :)
Bill Salisbury walked up on October 30th, 2016 [from/via/route] Borrowdale
Chris Sheard climbed it on February 6th, 2017 [from/via/route] From Rosthwaite [with] Solo [weather] Calm to wild, slightly warm to bone chilling - Silly me. Treat ALL peaks with respect. Tired & washed out - good rte-learning event
John Walter bagged it on March 4th, 2017 [from/via/route] From Rosthwaite [with] Tricia
Lindsay Goodall hiked it during April, 2016 [from/via/route] Grange to Castle Crag & back. [with] Shaun, Ben, Jenna and my mum. [weather] Clear, bright day. Sunny but not too warm.
Mark Davidson summited on May 23rd, 2003 [with] Theresa [weather] Wet & rainy
Simon Clark conquered it on October 5th, 2016 [with] Clare [weather] Sunny, windy
Penelope Twemlow scaled on August 25th, 2016 [from/via/route] From Rossenthwaite & back down along Broadslack Gill to the river. [with] My little ones [weather] Beautiful, sunny, not a breath of wind.
Neil Bennett walked up on May 29th, 2016 [from/via/route] From Seatoller. [with] Pamela Bennett, Oliver Bennett, Thomas Bennett. [weather] Warm & Sunny.
Chris Robinson climbed it during 2012 [from/via/route] Seatoller [with] Emma [weather] Sunny
Paul Peppiate bagged it on August 12th, 2007 [with] Annie, Jess and Jake [weather] Cloudy
Dave Gay hiked it on June 1st, 2009 [from/via/route] From Grange, Out via Grange - Seatoller path, returning via Rosthwaite - Grange path [with] Nathaniel, Jessica & Eileen
David Noble summited on December 12th, 2015 [from/via/route] Rosthwaite [with] Kelly, Jack, April, Beefy, Karl and Sue [weather] Heavy rain tunred to sleet then turned to snow
Victoria Bates conquered it on November 10th, 2015 [with] Mark - Because floods in Buttermere were flooded
Tony Rogerson scaled on February 23rd, 2012 [from/via/route] Swinside to Rosthwaite [with] Lynn [weather] Low cloud & windy
Richard Marshall walked up during July, 2015 [from/via/route] 405 [with] Volkan and Bo [weather] Sunny
Nick Dobson climbed it on July 23rd, 2015 [from/via/route] Grange [with] Margaret & Ralph [weather] Sunny with cloud cover - Fab views
Graham Pepper bagged it on April 24th, 2015 [with] J [weather] Overcast, but good.
Claire Lloyd hiked it on September 1st, 2006 [from/via/route] From Rosthwaite [with] Family
Andrew Phillips summited on April 22nd, 2015 [from/via/route] Seatoller [with] Chrissie Hockley [weather] Dry, sunny & warm
Andy Pearce conquered it on March 18th, 2015 [from/via/route] Catbells, Maiden Moor & High Spy [with] Tyler Peacock, Anita Pearce [weather] Calm, Very Hazy earlier but sunny later on
Iain Taylor scaled on January 3rd, 2015 [from/via/route] Rosthwaite NY 25756 14870
Anthony Scott walked up on February 16th, 2015 [from/via/route] Grange [with] Hayley [weather] Overcast, bit misty, light winds
John Senior climbed it during November, 2014 [from/via/route] Borrowdale Youth Hostel [with] JUlie Senior [weather] cloudy
Clive Ward bagged it on November 12th, 2014 [from/via/route] Rosthwaite, High Spy, Maiden Moor, Castle Crag [with] Ian & Gill, Conrad & Hillary, Nigel, Pete, Glen. Previously with family when young [weather] Windy, wet, dark - Ian & Conrad's last Wainwright. Glen's presentation to the 'buggers of baggers' & Sailing. Unable to remember when we walked with family. Couple of times including one or two years before buying lodge.
Andy Gibbs hiked it during September, 2008 [from/via/route] Rosthwaite [with] Jake, Gav and Eddie [weather] Ok
Marilyn Wadkin summited on March 14th, 2013 [from/via/route] Seatoller, Rosthwaite, along the Cumbrian Way, then along the Allerdale Ramble & back too Seatoller [with] Rob [weather] Snowy & cold
Keith Eastman conquered it on July 8th, 2014 [from/via/route] c405
Simon Boddy scaled on July 12th, 2013 [from/via/route] Seatoller [with] Girlfriend [weather] Warm & sunny
Teresa Lowery walked up during May, 2014 [with] Gill Linda Brenda Andrea [weather] Fab
Bob Whiting climbed it on August 5th, 2009 [from/via/route] Village [with] Sarah's sister Claire [weather] Sunshine
Michael Smith bagged it during September, 2013 [from/via/route] High spy [with] WKMW [weather] Sunny
Elaine Evans hiked it on February 14th, 2014 [from/via/route] From Grange [with] Sue [weather] Cloudy & overcast, rain on way down.
Kevin Parnham summited on March 19th, 2014 [from/via/route] Borrowdale YHA. [with] Jo [weather] Clear day but very windy
Steve Monks has conquered it [from/via/route] Grange [with] on my own [weather] Snow, sleet & Hail
Ryan Park scaled on December 29th, 2013 [from/via/route] Grange [with] Andrea [weather] Cold! Sunny
Gill Watson walked up on July 14th, 1989 [with] G D ...and with all on 28/02/03
Lee Senior climbed it on November 23rd, 2013 [from/via/route] From Rosthwaite [weather] dry with high cloud - good visibility
Ann Davis bagged it on November 4th, 2013 [from/via/route] from seatoller, rosthwaite [with] just me... but met a friend of a friend on Castle Crag and a lovely couple from Yorkshire couple who made me smile on the bus back from Rosthwaite [weather] stunning clean winter sun
Kenneth Mellor hiked it on February 26th, 2001 [from/via/route] Seathwaite [weather] Good
Tim Buckley summited on October 25th, 2009 [from/via/route] From Grange [with] Lynne, Esther, Naomi and Amy. [weather] Rain showers & gusty wind. - This little walk has everything, river Derwent, woodland, the slate zig zag path up, strange standing stones in the quary & great views. Coffee at the cafe in Grange.
Darren Wilson conquered it on September 1st, 2013 [from/via/route] Grange via low how's wood, high how's wood [with] Mike, Jill, Dan Wilson. Also Chloe, Dave, Debs & Nathan Nickeas [weather] Cloudy but dry
Bill Rowlands scaled on July 24th, 2013 [from/via/route] Grange (Borrowdale) [with] Megan and Jake (the chocolate Labrador) [weather] Sunny, hot & humid. A few drops of rain later but not much. - Temperature & humidity took it out of us on this the smallest one done to date. Even super fit Megan struggled a little. Jake of course was wondering what all the fuss was about.
Harry Meijer walked up on April 27th, 2013 [from/via/route] Keswick [with] Alone
Peter Harris has climbed it [from/via/route] Keswick
Stephen Reader bagged it on August 3rd, 2010 [from/via/route] Seatoller [with] Bev & Matt [weather] Good
Matthew Caunt hiked it on March 30th, 2013 [from/via/route] Grange [with] Julie Caunt & Alex Caunt [weather] Cold but sunny - Lovely walk, no wind. Alex's first Wainwright
Paul Hughes summited on March 28th, 2013 [from/via/route] Hawes End over Cat Bells, Maiden moor & High Spy [with] Fleur. [weather] Cold, clear & sunny with snow & ice underfoot. Bitter easterly wind.
Dale Verrall conquered it on March 15th, 2013 [from/via/route] Seatoller - the Allerdale Ramble [with] Amber [weather] Lovely day
David Short scaled on June 27th, 2008 [from/via/route] Keswick [with] own [weather] Low cloud, drizzle
Alex Holland walked up on March 1st, 2013 [from/via/route] walk c405 [with] Daren, Jus, Just, Guill [weather] bit overcast - wild camp darens birthday lots of cognac & whiskey
Kevan Cassley climbed it on March 3rd, 2013 [from/via/route] c135 Castle Crag & Rosthwaite from Seatoller, Borrowdale [with] Wife - Amanda [weather] sunny, around 7-8 C - Nice cafe on route (didn't actually eat there), watched mountain rescue on a dog training exercise
Gordon Allison bagged it on February 3rd, 2013 [from/via/route] Seathwaite [weather] overcast
Andrew Martin hiked it on April 18th, 2011 [from/via/route] grange [with] family
Mr Davison summited during August, 2010 [from/via/route] from seatoller [with] finlay davison [weather] sunny
Phillip Bulley conquered it on July 14th, 2011 [with] Judith and Toby [weather] Overcast & windy.
Charlie Housley scaled on July 15th, 2012 [from/via/route] From the old slate quarry at Rigghead after completing High Spy, Maiden Moor & Catbells. [with] Joanna, the wife:-) [weather] Good walking weather today with high cloud, cooling breeze, occasional sunshine & no rain. - This fell completes the North Western series of fells, & whilst it`s not a race it`s nice to now have completed two series of AW`s fells. On route back down I built a small memorial cairn to Joshua, my son, who was killed at the age of 17....rest in peace son.
Chris Bramley walked up on June 17th, 2012 [from/via/route] Grange high spy
Darren Mortimer climbed it on June 10th, 2012 [from/via/route] Grange [with] Dermot Palmer & Graham Panton [weather] Overcast & warm
Cheryl Hawkes bagged it on October 9th, 2007 [with] Steve
Les Wrightson hiked it on May 26th, 2012 [from/via/route] c405 [with] tan [weather] hot / sunny
Tony Aspden summited on July 24th, 2005 [from/via/route] Cmbria Way [with] Andy [weather] Sunny
Christine Knowles conquered it on September 24th, 2011 [from/via/route] Grange [with] Graham [weather] Fine
John Freeman scaled on October 24th, 2010 [from/via/route] Rosthwaite, up from bridge to top return via river [with] Solo [weather] fine & dry - slipped into river from stepping stones near Rosthwaite, on first attempt, dried off then walk up to bridge down stream
Stephen Byrne, Katherine Bonner, Patrick Rogozinski, Andrew Thornton, Melanie Dunn, Alex Jones, Karen Lythgoe, Angela Moroney, Dale Sexton, David Kelley, Jenny Godfrey, David Watson, Jill Dean, David Shaw, Amanda Hinds, David Laws, David Hughes, Edward Wells, Elaine Grayson, Jonathan Tobin, Mike Wilson, Pam Armstrong, Patricia Dilley, Simon Duerden, Colin Egan, Tracey Cowell, Paul Booth, Tracey Cordes, Rob Barklamb, Adrian Roberts, Louis Smith, Linda Mckeogh, Trevor Williams, Paul Henderson, Lee Mutch, Louise Sandwith, Paul Stevens, John Cuthbert, Phyllis Mcgibbon, Jacqui Smith, Patrick Buckland, Chris Turner, David Kelley, Stephen Millington, David Buttress, Robin Blunden, Jeanette Coward, Gary Kent, Sarah Lowe, Ray O'hara, Linda Walker, Darren Gallagher, David Parker and John Southward have all walked, climbed & bagged Castle Crag.To add (or remove) your name and experiences on this page - Log On and edit your Personal Mountain Bagging Record
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Castle Crag
Haweswater Reservoir, The Rigg with Branstree (Artlecrag Pike) beyond from near Castle Crag
Derwent Water and Borrowdale with Cat Bells, Maiden Moor and Castle Crag on the right from the northern end of the lake
Castle Crag in the 'Jaws' of Borrowdale taken from the north end of Derwent Water
A pair of Scots Pines amongst the old quarry workings on the side of Castle Crag
The (tall) ladder stile and the Shoulthwaite Beck ravine south of Castle Crag (Ashness Fell)
Early morning valley mist below Dale Head (Newlands) and High Spy, Maiden Moor & Cat Bells (Catbells) with the summit of Castle Crag (front right) lit by a ray of sunshine from Rosthwaite
. . . see all 20 walk photographs & pictures of views from, on or of Castle Crag
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