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Walk 1245 - printer friendly version

Castle Crag & Grange Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 6.0 miles / 9.8 km

Ascent - 1400 feet / 424 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference NY245137
Lat 54.512957 + Long -3.1676877
Postcode CA12 5XN (approx. location only)

This is a popular Lake District walk starting from the small village of Seatoller in upper Borrowdale. The route can be simplified by omitting the climb to the summit of Castle Crag and dropping the short extension into the village of Grange.

The start is Seatoller reached by the B5280 from Keswick. There is a pay and display car park, which fills quickly in fine weather. Exit the car park and turn right along the road between the cottages. The road begins to climb as it heads for Honister Pass. Where the road bends to the left take the path ahead. This leads upwards quite steeply before swinging north and levelling off.

Continue on this clear path with good views of Borrowdale to your right. You cross a number of becks en-route of which Tongue Gill is the most prominent. Ahead, and looking quite diminutive, is Castle Crag. This was the lowest of Wainwright's Fells and it occupies part of what he describes as the loveliest square mile in the Lake District.

The climb to the summit of Castle Crag is worthwhile as there is a splendid view, both north and south, that encompasses the whole of Borrowdale. Return down to the main path using the same route and head through the cutting between Castle Crag and High Scawdel. The path descends now to reach the banks of the River Derwent in Low Hows Wood.

If you want to explore further then the short walk to the village of Grange is recommended. There are cafés and shops plus the often photographed bridge over the Derwent. Having explored the village retrace your steps but instead of heading back to Castle Crag remain beside the River Derwent for a pleasant walk through the woods.

Leaving the shade of the trees behind you pass through fields with the village of Rosthwaite a short diversion to your left. Remaining on the west bank of the river continue past the Youth Hostel to reach a section of path that is precarious in places with some handrails for assistance. Having cleared this section the remaining short walk back to Seatoller is straightforward.

Walk 1245 Route Map

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