Crookdale Crag

Tucked away in the quiet fells between the A6 and the M6, this grassy outcrop offers a lonely perspective on the Lake District’s eastern fringe. As a Synge-classified top, it rewards those exploring the undulating ridges above the 'other' Borrowdale, looking out towards the distant, rounded forms of the Howgill Fells.

• •The name 'Crookdale' stems from the Old Norse 'krōkr', meaning a bend or nook, combined with 'dalr' for valley, describing the twisting course of the Crookdale Beck that drains the slopes below the crag.
• •As a 'Synge'—one of the tops listed by Tim Synge in his guide to the Lake District—the hill is a prized objective for those dedicated to climbing every notable summit beyond the standard Wainwright list.
• •The hill overlooks the 'other' Borrowdale, a secluded glacial valley in the far east of the National Park that remains blissfully quiet compared to its famous namesake near Keswick.
• •From the summit, hikers can enjoy a clear view of the massive radar dome on Great Dun Fell to the northeast, while the distinctive, velvety slopes of the Howgill Fells dominate the eastern horizon across the Tebay gorge.
• •It is one of the few places in the Lake District where the calls of buzzards are regularly punctuated by the distant, rhythmic thrum of heavy goods vehicles grinding up the M6 towards Tebay.