Thornthwaite Crag facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thornthwaite Crag |
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Thornthwaite Crag’s 14-foot-high summit beacon with the fell of Froswick in the background.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 784 m (2,572 ft) |
| Prominence | c. 30 m |
| Parent peak | High Street |
| Listing | Wainwright, Nuttall, Hewitt |
| Geography | |
 Thornthwaite Crag
Location in Lake District
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| Location | Cumbria, England |
| Parent range | Lake District, Far Eastern Fells |
| OS grid | NY432101 |
| Topo map | OS Explorer OL5, Explorer OL7 |
Thornthwaite Crag is a cool mountain, or "fell," found in the Lake District in England. It stands proudly to the west of Haweswater Reservoir. This fell is a really important spot in the Far Eastern Fells area. It sits at the top of several valleys, almost like a central hub for them.
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What Does Thornthwaite Crag Look Like?
The very top of Thornthwaite Crag is shaped a bit like a horseshoe. It curves inwards towards the north, where a stream called Hayeswater Gill begins. The "arms" of this horseshoe connect to other fells. The northwest arm goes towards Gray Crag, and the northeast arm leads to High Street and Mardale Ill Bell.
Connecting Ridges and Valleys
Two other main paths, or "ridges," stretch out from Thornthwaite Crag. One goes south to Froswick, and another heads west to Caudale Moor. The ridges on the northeast and south sides surround the top of the Kentmere valley. Here, you'll see lots of loose rocks, called scree, and steep rocky cliffs, known as crags.
To the southwest of Thornthwaite Crag is the rocky start of the long Troutbeck valley. This valley eventually flows into Windermere, a famous lake. Between the western and northwest ridges, you'll find the beginning of Pasture Beck. This stream eventually joins Hayeswater Beck on its way to Ullswater.
Paths and Terrain
The path along the western ridge to Caudale Moor is narrow and rough. It drops very steeply down to a dip in the land called Threshwaite Mouth, which is about 1,950 feet high. The other ridges are wider and covered in grass. However, some parts can be a bit marshy, or boggy, when you cross towards High Street. The southern ridge gets quite narrow before it reaches Froswick.
The Top of Thornthwaite Crag
The grassy top of Thornthwaite Crag has a stone wall running across it. This wall comes up from Threshwaite Mouth and then fades away a little to the east of the very top. Old fenceposts then continue the boundary line towards High Street before another stone wall takes over.
Thornthwaite Beacon
The actual highest point is marked by one of the most amazing stone piles, or "cairns," in the whole Lake District. It's called Thornthwaite Beacon. This tall, pillar-like beacon stands an impressive 14 feet high right at a bend in the wall. It's a fantastic landmark!
How to Climb Thornthwaite Crag
Thornthwaite Crag is a popular spot for walkers. An old Roman road, known as High Street, reaches the flat area near the summit along the south ridge. However, it then goes around the actual top, heading straight for the fell named High Street.
Popular Walking Routes
All the paths connecting the ridges lead to the summit. This makes Thornthwaite Crag an important meeting point for hikers. The views from the top are really good, especially looking west. You can get even better views by walking to the edge of the flat top in different directions.
You can climb Thornthwaite Crag directly from a village called Hartsop. You would follow Pasture Beck. Another way is from Troutbeck, either by using Scot Rake (the Roman road) or by going through Threshwaite Mouth. There are also several ways to climb it from the Kentmere valley.
