Castle Crag walk | aloveofthelakes

Walk : Castle Crag (985ft) from Rosthwaite via Lingy Bank

Date : 24^th April 2016

Weather : Dry, variable cloud @ 14 °C

Distance : 2.5 miles round trip

Difficulty : 1 – Gentle slopes no navigational issues

(1=easy 5=hard)

Which area of Lakeland is this walk situated?

Terrain Overview

A 3D visual of the walk to Castle Crag from Rosthwaite

Walk Overview

After a “heavy” first night in the Ambleside Tavern, our intended first walk of the week (Great Gable) was abandoned as not being

a sensible idea, hence those of us capable who were able to walk roughly in a straight line opted for a more sensible option of the

smallest of the Wainwright classified fells.. Castle Crag. What it lacks in height and difficulty it more than makes up for in charm,

quirkiness and a fantastic summit view towards Derwent water

From Keswick follow the B5289 through Grange and head to Rosthwaite. The walk starts at the NT Car Park in the village centre

Follow the track North towards Yew Tree Farm

From the track an early view of Castle Crag nestling in front of High Scawdel and High Spy

Cross the River Derwent over New Bridge

Over the bridge, swing right and head towards Lingy Bank

Be careful not to disturb the locals

Not long into the walk take the gate on the left gives access to Lingy Bank along a clearly defined track

The path starts to climb gently towards the old quarry road

Higher on up the path which becomes stepped to ease with the gradient

At the upper reaches the path swings right to meet the old quarry road

From the wall stile turn right. At this point the nature of the walk changes completely

Within yards of crossing the stile the obvious path to the right leads to the slate spoil heap and a rather ingenious route that
leads up to the summit

Within yards of crossing the stile the obvious path to the right leads to the slate spoil heap and a rather ingenious route that

leads up to the summit

Take the zig-zag path that is carved out through the slate

High Scawdel from the zig-zag path

The path leads to a plateau which gives a splendid view back down the Borrowdale valley

Entering the slate sculpture park

Yet more sculpting

The path to the summit climbs from the right of the sculpture park through a small area of Larch trees

The summit mound

The 1914 – 18 Great War memorial to the men of Borrowdale with the summit shelter cairn

Stunning views North over Derwent water towards the Skiddaw range

A 360 degree view from the summit

Blencathra in the distance from the summit cairn