Causey Pike and Scar Crags from Stoneycroft
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.
- Distance
- 8.7 km
- 5.4 miles
- Ascent
- 678 m
- High point 670 m
- Time
- 3 hours
- Walking time, no stops
- Grade
- Hard
- 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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Causey Pike is the fell with the bobble on top, instantly recognisable from Keswick and Derwentwater. The way up from Stoneycroft makes the most of it: a steep climb over Rowling End, then a short, easy scramble right up the face of the summit knob.
Beyond the top the ridge runs west over a string of humps to Scar Crags, with Newlands below on one side and the hanging valley of Stoneycroft Gill on the other. The return drops to Sail Pass and swings back along an old miners' terrace above Long Comb, past the trial levels of the Stoneycroft cobalt mine.
It is a compact, punchy walk for people who like to use their hands now and then, without any serious exposure.
The route
- 1
Stoneycroft to Rowling End
From the roadside parking walk along the road into Newlands, cross the bridge over Stoneycroft Gill and look for a narrow path on the right heading for the north-east spur of Rowling End. It climbs steeply onto the ridge through heather, with some easy rock steps.
- 2
Over Sleet Hause
Cross the grassy top of Rowling End and follow the path through the heather to the dip at Sleet Hause, with Causey Pike rearing up ahead.
- 3
Up the knob
Climb the loose, stepped path to the foot of the summit rocks. The final section is a short, straightforward scramble up well-stepped rock; tackle it head on. The summit is a small rocky patch with no cairn.
- 4
Along to Scar Crags
Carry on west over the humps of the ridge, drop to a col and climb to Scar Crags. The first cairn is not the top; the summit cairn is a little further on.
- 5
Sail Pass and the miners' terrace
Descend west to the crossroads of paths at Sail Pass and turn sharp right. The path narrows and traverses a terrace above Long Comb and the old Stoneycroft cobalt mine.
- 6
Back to the road
Follow the old mine track down the valley of Stoneycroft Gill, which sweeps round to return to the parking area.
Questions people ask
Where do you park for Causey Pike?
WalkLakes recommends the large informal parking area on the Newlands pass road just above Uzzicar Farm, at the end of the mine track near Stoneycroft.
Is there scrambling on Causey Pike?
Yes, a short, easy scramble up the summit knob. WalkLakes describes it as straightforward and ungraded, with no difficult or exposed moves if you go straight up.
How long is the Causey Pike walk?
WalkLakes gives 8.3 km for this circuit over Rowling End, Causey Pike and Scar Crags.
How high is Causey Pike?
Wikipedia gives 637 metres.
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.
Grisedale Pike and Hopegill Head from Braithwaite
Hard, 12.5 km, 855 m up, about 4 hours
Braithwaite's big fell: straight up the ridge to Grisedale Pike, along the rim of Hobcarton Crag to Hopegill Head, and back down Coledale past the old Force Crag Mine.
Walla Crag from Keswick
Moderate, 10.6 km, 377 m up, about 2 hours 30 minutes
A half-day round from Keswick over Castlehead to the cliff-top of Walla Crag, down to Ashness Bridge and home along the Derwentwater shore.
Food, drink and beds near the start
The Royal Oak
Traditional, Braithwaite, £
Braithwaite's heart and soul, with Coledale Horseshoe views from the garden and Jennings ales on tap.
Cottage in the Wood
Fine Dining, Braithwaite, £££
Jack and Beth Bond's Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms sits high in Whinlatter Forest above Braithwaite, looking out towards Skiddaw. The tasting menu leans on regenerative Cumbrian farms and the nearby coast.
Fellpack
Casual Dining, Keswick, £
A laid-back Keswick restaurant built around Fellpots, generous bowls that put creative twists on classics. The short, seasonal menu might put a Japanese dish next to neeps and haggis.
The Dog and Gun
Traditional, Keswick, £, dogs welcome
A proper Keswick town-centre local, run by Greene King, known for its homemade Hungarian goulash, well-kept ales and a warm welcome for dogs.
The Square Orange
Pizza & Bar, Keswick, £, dogs welcome
A cosy, buzzy cafe bar on St John's Street serving stone-baked Roman style pizzas, tapas and good coffee, with a full bar and regular live music evenings. No bookings, just walk in.
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.