Lake District
Horsehow Crags
433M
1421FT
About Horsehow Crags
Rising above the valley of Eskdale near Boot, this rugged Birkett offers a rocky, heathery ascent. It serves as a natural balcony for viewing the Scafell massif. Often visited on the climb toward Harter Fell, it provides a quieter perspective of the granite tors and the winding River Esk below.
Key Statistics
Rank
535th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Fells
Prominence
?
21m
Nearest Town
Eskdale
Geology
These crags are part of the Birker Fell Andesite Formation, a mix of ancient volcanic lavas and sandstones created from volcanic debris.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY224008
Latitude
54.3968°N
Longitude
3.1960°W
Did You Know?
- •The name stems from the Old Norse word 'haugr', meaning a hill or mound, combined with 'horse', suggesting this craggy outcrop was once used as high summer pasture for livestock.
- •Bill Birkett included this 433-metre top in his 'Complete Lakeland Fells', categorizing it as an essential stop for those wanting to see the full architectural scale of the Scafell range from the southwest.
- •The summit offers an unobstructed vista of the 'Eskdale Horseshoe' summits, including the distinctive silhouettes of Bowfell, Crinkle Crags, and the massive bulk of Scafell Pike.
- •Walkers often bypass this summit on the main path from Boot to Harter Fell; however, leaving the main track to reach the actual high point rewards you with a far better sense of the steep drop into the Esk valley.
- •If the 'Horse' in the name refers to the ease of the terrain, the original namer likely possessed a mountain goat rather than a pony.