Gray Stones

About Gray Stones

Rising above the coastal village of Ravenglass, this quiet, heather-clad summit offers a wilder feel than its modest height suggests. Part of the Birkby Fell complex, its undulating, often pathless terrain rewards hikers with deep isolation and expansive views over the Irish Sea toward the Isle of Man.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is a literal description of the grey-weathered outcrops of Borrowdale Volcanic rock that punctuate the summit plateau, a common naming convention for smaller, rugged Lakeland tops.
• •Classified as a Synge, this hill is one of the additional peaks identified by Tim Synge as warranting a visit for those seeking a more comprehensive exploration of the fells beyond the traditional Wainwrights.
• •From the top, you are treated to a distinct perspective of the high fells of Upper Eskdale, with the jagged profiles of Scafell Pike and Bowfell appearing particularly imposing against the northeast skyline.
• •The summit is often visited as part of a traverse across the wild moorland of Birkby Fell, usually starting from the road near the ancient Stone Circles at Barnscar or the shores of Devoke Water.
• •The hill lives up to its name with remarkable honesty; should you find yourself lost in the mist, you will indeed find plenty of grey stones to keep you company, though none of them are likely to point the way back to Ravenglass.