Lake District
Long Crag - Yewdale Fells
421M
1381FT
About Long Crag - Yewdale Fells
Rising steeply above the Coniston to Ambleside road, this rugged Birkett offers a classic Lake District scramble through bracken and rock. Despite its modest height, the summit provides a commandingly clear perspective over Coniston Water and the sprawling Tilberthwaite valley, framed by the intimidating silhouettes of Wetherlam and Dow Crag.
Key Statistics
Rank
559th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Fells
Prominence
?
11m
Nearest Town
Coniston
Geology
You are walking over layers of volcanic sand and stony rubble. These deposits are reinforced by flows of hardened lava, which form the fell's sturdy geological foundation.
Classifications
Find It
Latitude
54.3814°N
Longitude
3.0822°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is a literal description of the prominent rocky escarpment that defines the fell's eastern flank. The 'Yewdale' element of its parent range stems from the Old Norse words yr (yew) and dalr (valley), indicating the historical presence of yew trees in the glen below.
- •Classified as a Birkett, this fell is often overlooked in favour of its lower neighbour, Holme Fell, yet its higher vantage point offers a more comprehensive view of the Coniston Fells and the deep cleft of Yewdale.
- •To the south, the entire length of Coniston Water is visible, while looking west provides an excellent profile of the 'Old Man' and the rocky amphitheatre of the Coppermines Valley.
- •The surrounding slopes are steeped in the Lake District’s industrial heritage; the ascent from Tilberthwaite winds through ancient slate workings where the remnants of tramways and cavernous quarry mouths are still visible.
- •The 'Long' in the name is likely a tribute to the time it takes to navigate the dense bracken on a humid July afternoon, a terrain that can make 421 metres feel significantly more ambitious.