Lake District
High Crag
451M
1480FT
About High Crag
Perched above the village of Grange-in-Borrowdale, this rugged Central Fell summit offers a commanding perspective of the 'Jaws of Borrowdale.' While modest in height, its rocky character provides an intimate view of the Derwent Valley and the winding River Derwent as it flows toward the southern shore of Derwentwater.
Key Statistics
Rank
504th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Central Fells
Prominence
?
18.2
Nearest Town
Rosthwaite
Geology
You are walking on ancient layers of hardened lava. These tough volcanic rocks formed when molten material cooled underground, creating the rugged crags beneath your boots.
Classifications
Find It
Latitude
54.5149°N
Longitude
3.1232°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is rooted in the Old Norse 'kragg,' referring to a rugged mass of rock. In this context, 'High' serves to distinguish the summit from the numerous smaller outcrops and climbing buttresses that pepper the steep eastern flanks of the High Spy massif.
- •Though omitted from the more famous Wainwright guides, this hill was documented by Timothy Synge in his 1988 work 'The Lakeland Fells,' which sought to provide a more comprehensive list of the region's distinct summits.
- •The summit offers a specific, bird's-eye view of the double-arched packhorse bridge in Grange, along with a perfectly framed look at Castle Crag standing guard directly across the valley floor.
- •Geologically, the fell is composed of the Birker Fell Andesite Formation. This tough, volcanic rock has resisted erosion better than the surrounding landscape, resulting in the sharp, craggy profile that gives the hill its name.
- •It is a frequent victim of its own common name; more than one walker has arrived here expecting the lung-bursting scree slopes of the 744-metre High Crag near Buttermere, only to find themselves pleasantly ahead of schedule in Borrowdale.