Castle Crag

Castle Crag is a perfect little fell. It looks like a real fell albeit in miniature - it is after all the smallest of the 214 Wainwright fells. However it packs quite a punch and it's diminutive stature is deceptive of the fact that the fell has a lot to offer. Caves, woodland, history, views, slate, rocky outcrops, it can all be found on Castle Crag.

passing the summit of High Spy on our way to Castle Crag

Our walk up Castle Crag came after we had done a section of the Newlands Horseshoe, taking in Catbells, Maiden Moor and High Spy. After nearly a week of tough walking it's fair to say that at this point my feet were a wreck, but as they say, the show must go on, and there was still time left and fells to be climbed, so I had no choice but to carry on.

It is quite a steep climb down from High Spy, bringing you down off the fell tops and into Borrowdale. You pass a lot of evidence of former quarrying and mining and it is always amazing to find ruined buildings in the most out of the way spots that you wonder just how someone actually built these places?

The lower section of Castle Crag crosses pastures and more woodland before giving way to the slate slopes. This is a tough little section with the path zig-zagging its way through sheaves of slate.

Just around the corner from the slate path, there is a hidden gem. There is an odd little sculpture park to be seen here, with piles of slate creating quite a visual effect.

The final trek up to the summit goes round a large crater before reaching the grassy knoll at the top complete with summit crag and memorial plaque.

We came back down by the same path as our ascent, before heading down towards Borrowdale, along the path between Castle Crag and the Newlands Fells before reaching the pastures that accompany the River Derwent, before arriving in the little hamlet of Grange for a well earnt drink and a tasty slice of tea bread.

butterfly spotted on the side of the path