Castle Crag from Grange
The smallest Wainwright with the biggest personality: up through old slate workings to Castle Crag's summit memorial, then down past Millican Dalton's cave.
- Distance
- 6.2 km
- 3.9 miles
- Ascent
- 279 m
- High point 284 m
- Time
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Walking time, no stops
- Grade
- Moderate
- Circular
Take this walk with you
Google Maps does not know most fell paths, so use it to get to the start, then follow the GPX in an app like OS Maps, Komoot or AllTrails. To see the line in Google Maps, open Google My Maps, create a map, choose Import and pick the KML file. It then appears in the Google Maps app under Saved, Maps.
Weather on this walk
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Castle Crag plugs the Jaws of Borrowdale, the narrow gap where the valley squeezes between steep wooded fells. It is barely 290 metres high, but its summit sits on top of old quarry spoil and crags, with a war memorial and a view straight down the valley to Derwentwater.
This short loop from Grange climbs beside Broadslack Gill, picks its way up the slate spoil heap and then drops to the quarry cave that carries the name of Millican Dalton. The return follows the River Derwent and the valley floor. It packs a lot into a couple of hours.
The route
- 1
Grange to the river
From the car park walk into Grange and take the lane on the left after the café, signed for Seatoller and Rosthwaite. Follow it past Hollows Farm and the campsite into the woods by the River Derwent.
- 2
Up Broadslack Gill
Cross the footbridge and climb beside Broadslack Gill, crossing the stream and continuing with it on your left until you are below the crag.
- 3
The spoil heap
Where the scree opens out, take the path that bears left across the grass and doubles back below an outcrop to the foot of a large spoil heap. Climb it with care; it is short but steep and loose.
- 4
The summit
From the old quarry and the standing stones at the top of the spoil, bear right through the trees and up the grassy slope to the summit memorial.
- 5
Millican Dalton's Cave
Return down the spoil heap and follow the path through the woods to the quarry cave known as Millican Dalton's Cave.
- 6
Back to Grange
Drop to the river at Wilkinson's Dub and follow the valley back towards Grange, passing close to the Bowder Stone, then walk the last stretch to the car park.
Questions people ask
Where do you park for Castle Crag?
There is a small car park beside the Methodist chapel in Grange. It fills early, so arrive in good time.
Is Millican Dalton's Cave on the route?
Yes. The quarry cave named after him sits just below the summit, and this loop passes it on the way down.
How long is the Castle Crag walk?
Around 5.5 km from Grange, which Mud and Routes puts at a couple of hours.
More walks nearby
Catbells from Gutherscale
Moderate, 7.1 km, 422 m up, about 2 hours
Keswick's favourite little fell: up the north ridge of Catbells to a rocky top over Derwentwater, down from Hause Gate and back along the terrace path.
Borrowdale valley loop: Seatoller, Rosthwaite and Stonethwaite
Easy, 7.6 km, 199 m up, about 2 hours
A low-level ramble through the heart of Borrowdale: Johnny Wood, the River Derwent, Rosthwaite and the quiet side valley to Stonethwaite.
Causey Pike and Scar Crags from Stoneycroft
Hard, 8.7 km, 678 m up, about 3 hours
Newlands' best short ridge: up the rocky steps of Rowling End to the knobbly top of Causey Pike, along to Scar Crags, and back past the old Stoneycroft mines.
Food, drink and beds near the start
Borrowdale Gates Hotel
Country House Hotel, Borrowdale, £££, dogs welcome
A tranquil retreat in Borrowdale's green heart, with fell views from every room and a kitchen that champions Cumbrian produce.
Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa
Spa Hotel, Borrowdale, £££, dogs welcome
Set beside the Lodore waterfall on the shore of Derwentwater, with the award-winning Falls Spa, a 16 metre outdoor hydro pool looking across to Catbells, and Mizu Pan-Asian dining.
The Langstrath
Country Inn, Stonethwaite, ££
Tucked into Borrowdale's quietest corner, this tiny country inn is the perfect post-walk pint stop with genuine warmth.
Honister Slate Mine
Adventure, Honister Pass, ££
England's last working slate mine offers underground tours, via ferrata and infinity bridge experiences high above Buttermere valley.