Great Crag facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Crag |
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Great Crag seen from the Rosthwaite to Watendlath bridleway
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 440 m (1,440 ft) |
| Prominence | 27 m (89 ft) |
| Parent peak | Ullscarf |
| Listing | Wainwright |
| Geography | |
 Great Crag
Location in Lake District
Great Crag
Location in Allerdale
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| Location | Cumbria, England |
| Parent range | Lake District, Central Fells |
| OS grid | NY269147 |
| Topo map | OS Explorer OL4 |
Great Crag is a cool little mountain, or "fell," found in the amazing Lake District in England. It's located close to the small villages of Rosthwaite and Stonethwaite in a beautiful valley called Borrowdale. Even though it's not super tall, it's a fun place to explore!
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Exploring Great Crag's Landscape
Great Crag might not be the highest peak, standing at 440 metres (about 1,444 feet) tall. But it's still a special place. It's considered a "fell" in its own right, even though it's connected to a bigger mountain called Ullscarf. This is because its rocky top really stands out!
What You'll See on the Slopes
The higher parts of Great Crag are covered in heather plants and lots of rocks. As you go down towards Borrowdale, the slopes get steeper. Here, you'll find a beautiful, old oak forest. It's a great place for a peaceful walk.
Dock Tarn: A Hidden Gem
About half a kilometre south-east of the summit, there's a lovely lake called Dock Tarn. Many hikers stop here on their way to or from Great Crag. It's a calm and pretty spot to take a break.
The Rocks of Great Crag
The rocks at the very top of Great Crag are made of a type of lava called Birker Fell Formation. This lava has small crystals in it. If you look to the south, you might see rocks from the Wet Side Edge Member. These are made of tiny pieces of volcanic rock. You can also find small bits of a dark, strong rock called dolerite scattered around.
Hiking Up Great Crag
There are a few ways to climb Great Crag, and each offers a different adventure! You can start your hike from the villages of Rosthwaite, Stonethwaite, or Watendlath.
Routes from Rosthwaite and Stonethwaite
If you start from Rosthwaite, you'll follow a path towards Watendlath. Once you reach the highest point of this path, you'll head south. The ground might be a bit wet at first, but then it becomes rockier and firmer as you get closer to the top.
From Stonethwaite, the path climbs steeply through the woods. This route will take you past Dock Tarn. From the tarn, it's just a short climb north-west to reach the summit. You can even combine these two routes for a circular walk, starting and finishing in Rosthwaite.
Climbing from Watendlath
The path from Watendlath is very popular and leads directly to Dock Tarn. This path has been changed a bit with signs to help you avoid the really wet, boggy areas. This route takes you very close to the summit, and it's a simple climb through the heather to reach the highest point.
Reaching the Summit
When you get to the top of Great Crag, you might notice something interesting. It's a bit tricky to figure out the exact highest point! There are actually two spots that are almost the same height, and both have small piles of stones called cairns.
The view from the top isn't huge, but it's still very nice. You get a great look down into Borrowdale valley, with the taller fells standing proudly behind it. It's a perfect spot to enjoy the quiet beauty of the Lake District.
