Lake District
Thorn Crag
644M
2112FT
About Thorn Crag
Rising as a rugged, rocky platform on the southeastern shoulder of High Raise, this Central Fell provides a quieter perspective of the Langdale Pikes. Positioned above the hollow of Stickle Tarn, its craggy summit offers a distinctively bouldery character compared to the broad, grassy slopes of its higher parent peak.
Key Statistics
Rank
215th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Central Fells
Prominence
?
9.7m
Nearest Town
Elterwater
Geology
You are walking on ancient layers of hardened volcanic ash. These rugged crags consist of sandy sediment and jagged rock fragments deposited during powerful eruptions.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY279071
Latitude
54.4545°N
Longitude
3.1126°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is a straightforward combination of the Old Norse 'kraggi', referring to a rocky outcrop, and the hawthorn trees that are commonly found clinging to the crags on the lower fells.
- •In his 'Complete Lakeland Fells', Bill Birkett highlighted this summit for its 'fine rocky top', arguing it possesses far more individual character than many of the higher, smoother domes found elsewhere in the Central Fells.
- •The summit plateau provides a superb vantage point for inspecting the 'North Rake' on Pavey Ark, allowing walkers to study the line of this popular scramble from a safe, horizontal distance.
- •It sits at a key navigation point; in poor visibility, the transition from the stony ground of Thorn Crag to the featureless, peaty marsh leading toward High Raise is a classic test of mountain craft.
- •It is the ideal destination for those who find the crowds on the Langdale Pikes a little overwhelming, offering a very similar view of the valley with significantly less competition for a seat.