Northumberland
Long Crag
319M
1048FT
About Long Crag
Rising above the managed plantation of Thrunton Woods, this sandstone escarpment offers a sharp contrast to the surrounding pine forest. The ascent follows soft, needle-strewn paths to reach a summit ridge where the trees peel away, revealing expansive views across the Vale of Whittingham towards the high Cheviots.
Key Statistics
Rank
121st Highest in Region
Parent Range
Cheviot Hills
Prominence
?
170.4
Nearest Town
Northumberland
Geology
Long Crag is built from the Fell Sandstone Formation. This hardy sandstone provides the solid, gritty foundation beneath your boots today.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NU062069
Latitude
55.3566°N
Longitude
1.9037°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is purely descriptive, stemming from the Middle English 'crag' (likely of Celtic origin), which denotes the prominent sandstone outcrops that form the hill's western edge.
- •A popular local circuit links this summit with its neighbour, Coe Crag; together they form a horseshoe of high ground overlooking the forest canopy and the distant North Sea coast.
- •Despite its modest height of 319 metres, it is classified as a Marilyn because its 163-metre drop on all sides makes it significantly more prominent than many higher peaks in the region.
- •The area is noted for its dramatic sandstone geology, specifically the Fell Sandstone Group, which forms the rugged, weather-beaten 'crags' that define this part of the Northumberland landscape.
- •The Forestry Commission's network of timber extraction tracks provides an excellent approach, though they are arguably better at confusing navigators than the hills themselves.