Walkhighlands

Castle Crag is the adam's apple in the throat of Borrowdale. The only Wainwright less than 1000 feet, it makes up for in character what it lacks in height, a proud rocky promontory surrounded by sumptuous deciduous woods with fantastic helicopter views along the whole length of this most beautiful of Lakeland valleys.

It was the first (and as it turned out one of the few) non rainy days of the year. We parked in Grange and walked along a lane past an attractive looking campsite to a bend in the river.



Then uphill to the col and up the side of a scree slope. This being a small, genteel sort of hill there is a seat halfway up. It gives a view of a wooded cliff that despite, the modest scale of the hill, wouldn't look out of place in the Alps.



A little higher and the luxuriant green carpet of Upper Borrowdale unrolled in front of us.



The view was more rugged in the other direction - the bridleway snaking around to Honister past cliffs and old mineworkings



The top has been quarried out and we climbed up around a slate spoil heap adorned with a lot of amateur sculpture before ariving at the top - a little rocky outcrop in lush grass surrounded by trees with a spectacular view down the Dale.



Whilst in the other direction, trees and cliffs stepped down to Rosthwaite.



We dropped down on the Rosthwaite side and followed the delightful riverside path back to Grange where it was warm enough for tea and scones in the open air.

I agree, Castle Crag is a little beauty. Excellent views along Borrowdale.

What a little beauty Iceman, it's difficult to imagine getting better views from anywhere for such a relatively small ascent. Nice to see another report from home that doesn't include the author standing in the pouring rain trying hard to smile, summer must be on the way