Lake District
Great Paddy Crag
532M
1745FT
About Great Paddy Crag
Tucked away in the quiet southwestern fells above the Duddon Valley, this rugged outcrop offers a wilder experience than the central peaks. Part of the Devoke Water circuit, the summit provides a stony vantage point overlooking the Scafell massif and the Irish Sea, frequently bypassed by those heading for higher ground.
Key Statistics
Rank
357th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Fells
Prominence
?
4m
Nearest Town
Bootle
Geology
Great Paddy Crag is part of the Waberthwaite Tuff Formation. It is composed of ancient volcanic ash and jagged rock fragments fused together during explosive eruptions.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SD150908
Latitude
54.3063°N
Longitude
3.3070°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'Paddy' likely refers to Irish settlers or labourers who worked the local farms and mines, though some place-name scholars suggest it could be a corruption of the Old Norse 'papi', meaning a priest or hermit.
- •It is one of the peaks included in the 'Devoke Water Seven', a circuit of Birketts that rings the largest high-altitude tarn in the Lake District.
- •The summit offers a particularly clear view of the Scafell range to the north, allowing walkers to trace the entire profile of the mountains from Slight Side up to the pike itself.
- •The surrounding Birker Moor is scattered with prehistoric remains, including Bronze Age cairns and field systems, indicating that this high ground was settled long before the arrival of modern sheep-farming communities.
- •In a region of dramatic precipices, the 'Great' in its name is perhaps more a reflection of local pride than a comparison to the neighbouring Lakeland giants.