“If a visitor to Lakeland has only two or three hours to spare, poor fellow, yet desperately wants to reach a summit and take back an enduring memory of the beauty of the district.....let him climb Castle Crag”
A Wainwright
Although the lowest of the Wainwright Fells Castle Crag makes a wonderful shorter walk, the woodlands surrounding Castle Crag were described by Wainwright as 'the loveliest square mile in Lakeland'.
The lowly fell has much to offer, spectacular views over Borrowdale and Derwent Water, caves, quarries, ancient woodlands, streams, waterfalls, rivers and a war memorial on the summit.
“Castle Crag is so magnificently independent, so ruggedly individual, so aggressively unashamed unashamed of it's lack of inches, that less than justice would be done by relegating it to a paragraph in the High Spy chapter”
A Wainwright
From Grange we will follow the track south following the River Derwent to Gowder Dub, a wide section of the river surrounded by beautiful woodland, here we will climb on the old mine road to the col on the western side of Castle Crag.
From the col a smaller path climbs over stiles and quarries to the summit of Castle Crag, a wonderful viewpoint above the trees.
We will descend west from the summit either through the woodland or over the fields to meet the path south, along the river.
The beautiful path along the river will lead us through beautiful oak woodlands and past some old mine and quarry workings, a short detour form the main path will bring us to Millican Dalton's Cave, Millican Dalton, otherwise known as the 'Professor Of Adventure' was one of the early Lakeland guides, spending his summer months living in a cave on Castle Crag.
A short walk back along the river will bring us back too Gowder Dub and the track by Hollows Farm back to Grange.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Grange Bridge, Borrowdale
Postcode: CA12 5UQ
Grid Reference: NY 253 174
Directions
From Keswick: Leave Keswick on the Borrowdale Road (from the mini roundabout near the co-op) Follow this road past the lake until a road leads to the right, crossing a long but narrow bridge, we will meet at the small car park on the opposite end of the bridge.
Bus Services
Grange is well served by buses, the bus stop is 100m away from the meet point.
The 78 bus runs between Keswick and Seatoller along the Borrowdale Valley.
The 77/77a runs from Keswick to Buttermere during the summer months (Easter to October Half Term).
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
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