Castle Crag "The Smallest Wainwright", Borrowdale, England

🐶 - Dog friendly for active dogs - river to stop for drinks and not too tough terrain

🚗 - Parking down the valley is generally pay and display

📏 - Under 5 miles

Part of the ‘Jaws of Borrowdale’ Wainwright said of his smallest fell, “If a visitor to Lakeland has only 2 or 3 hours to spare, poor fellow, yet desperately wants to reach a summit and take back an enduring memory of the beauty and atmosphere of the district… let him climb Castle Crag.” And this quote rings true even on the wettest of autumn days. The atmosphere at the summit of Castle Crag during a storm is incredibly eerie - a maze of slates, stacked like tomb stones along the abandoned slate quarry. The view of the Borrowdale Valley is spectacular, low hanging clouds punctuating the majesty of the surrounding mountains. Despite being the smallest of all the Wainwrights, this little fell makes for a no less formidable opponent than its big brothers. There is a rich history surrounding

Castle Crag – many years before it became a slate quarry, it is thought to have been an Iron-Age hill fort. Metal artefacts and evidence of metalworking dating back to the Iron-Age have previously been found on the quarry site. It was gifted to the National Trust by the family of John Hamer, a 2nd Lieutenant who lost his life in the First World War. The stone in remembrance of John Hamer and the men of Borrowdale marks the sombre summit of Castle Crag.

The walk starts from the National Trust car park in Rosthwaite. Turning right out of the car park, you follow the road past the Flock In Tea Room, and the farm buildings, all the way along until you reach the path of large cobbles by the river. These paths can get very flooded, so whilst they are walkable, make sure you’re wearing your waterproof boots! Cross the stone bridge, and turn right, and take the right-hand side of the two gates in front of you. Follow the river to the fork in the path, and then take the left, cross the stile, and carry on up the grassy path. This will gradually turn rockier, and will eventually lead you to a stile over a wall. Once you’re over the wall you’ll see the mountain of slate to your right, the start of the abandoned quarry. No matter the weather, you need to watch your footing in this section, as even the smallest slip could be detrimental. The quarry continues to your

left once you pass the slate mound, and this is where you can see the slate creations built by

previous visitors. The summit of Castle Crag is a fight over slate and roots, to the right of the quarry, and is identified by the memorial stone.

Despite being surrounded by fells on all sides, you’re completely exposed to the elements on the summit of Castle Crag. Back down the same way you came up, the descent back into Rosthwaite awards the most wonderful views over the valley. It’s easy to see why Wainwright described this area as “the loveliest square mile in Lakeland.”