Raven Crag

Rising steeply above the western shore of Thirlmere, this modest summit offers one of the most dramatic vantage points in the Lake District. The ascent through thick forestry yields to a vertigo-inducing boardwalk at the top, revealing a sheer drop to the water and uninterrupted views across to Helvellyn and the Dodds.

• •The name is derived from the Old Norse 'hrafn' and Middle English 'crag', marking the fell as a historic nesting site for ravens, which are still frequently seen circling the sheer eastern face above the reservoir.
• •To protect the summit from erosion, a wooden viewing platform and boardwalk have been installed, allowing walkers to stand safely on the edge of the precipice for a 'balcony' view directly over the Thirlmere dam.
• •The fell has two subsidiary tops, The Benn and Castle Crag; the latter features the remains of an Iron Age hillfort, though the main summit of Raven Crag is the primary draw for its sheer scale.
• •Classified as a Synge, the hill is one of the 237 summits listed by Tim Synge in his 1995 guide to the Lake District, which highlights fells with at least 15 metres of prominence.
• •The ascent from the Thirlmere dam is a brisk, uncompromising lesson in gradients, ensuring your legs are fully awake long before you reach the actual summit.