Loft Crag

About Loft Crag

Defined by its spectacular southern plunge into Great Langdale, this member of the Langdale Pikes offers a sharp, rocky character that belies its modest height. It sits as a prominent shoulder between Pike of Stickle and Harrison Stickle, providing a bird's-eye view of the scree-slopes and the celebrated rock-climbing buttress of Gimmer Crag.

Key Statistics

Find It

Did You Know?

• •The name is rooted in Middle English and Old Norse, with 'Loft' signifying its elevated or high position, standing as a prominent balcony over the valley floor 600 metres below.
• •Alfred Wainwright championed the hill's individuality in his Central Fells guide, noting that walkers often ignore it while moving between its more famous neighbours. He praised its summit as the best viewpoint for looking directly down into the green depths of Great Langdale.
• •The hill's southern flank is home to Gimmer Crag, one of the most significant traditional rock-climbing venues in the Lake District. Its high-quality rhyolite has been a training ground for British climbers since the late 19th century.
• •From the summit cairn, the view across the head of the valley is dominated by the massive eastern face of Bowfell and the jagged skyline of the Scafells. To the east, the dark, shadowed cleft of Pavey Ark and the diagonal line of Jack’s Rake are clearly visible.
• •The summit is often reached via the steep, stone-pitched path from New Dungeon Ghyll, a route that passes the dramatic waterfalls of Dungeon Ghyll before emerging onto the high mountain plateau.
• •Despite its name, Loft Crag is actually the lowest of the three primary Langdale Pikes; a fact that does little to comfort your calves as you grind up the final few hundred metres of the ascent from the Old Dungeon Ghyll hotel.