Caw

About Caw

Rising steeply above the Duddon Valley, this craggy, conical peak offers one of the best effort-to-reward ratios in the South West Lakes. Though modest in height, its isolated position ensures panoramic views. The summit is a chaotic jumble of rocks, providing a rugged feel that belies its status as a Wainwright Outlying Fell.

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Did You Know?

• •The name likely originates from the Old Norse 'kalfr', meaning ‘calf’. In Lakeland topography, this term usually described a smaller hill standing in the shadow of a larger neighbour, though Caw’s sharp, independent profile makes it feel like more than a mere subordinate.
• •Alfred Wainwright was a notable admirer of this peak, featuring it in his Outlying Fells guide and describing it as “a fine mountain in miniature.” He particularly recommended the approach from Seathwaite for its varied, rocky terrain.
• •The summit provides an exceptional grandstand view of the Scafell massif to the north. Because Caw stands apart from the central fells, it offers a unique perspective on the southern crags of Scafell and Slight Side, which appear especially formidable from this angle.
• •Caw serves as the highest point on the moorland ridge separating the Duddon and Lickle valleys. It is frequently climbed as part of a circuit including its smaller neighbour, Stickle Pike, to explore the quieter, more atmospheric fringes of the National Park.
• •The final few metres of the ascent involve enough legitimate rock-hopping to make you feel like a proper mountaineer, right up until the moment you realize you can still see the cars parked at the bottom of the fell.