Shoulthwaite - Castle Crag Fort - Raven Crag

Joe Jackson

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Raven Crag is one of the best viewpoints for Thirlmere and Castle Crag one of the best for Shoulthwaite. This short walk of about five miles takes in these two peaks for maximum reward for least effort! Starting off by Thirlmere Dam, the route follows forest tracks through Shoulthwaite which never really exceed about a 1-in-6 gradient, which makes the walking very easy going all the way to the col between the peaks.

The first summit visited is Castle Crag and although only about 30m above the path, it does offer in my opinion the best view you can get of Shoulthwaite. The valley itself it little-known, you can't see it from any road and it doesn't really lead anywhere (other than here!) So you will not see crowds of people like you can in Borrowdale! Castle Crag is so-named because of the ancient Iron Age fort that sits on the top. Although very small, there is evidence of several ditches and banks on the south-eastern side which you need to walk through to get to the top and there are also some house platforms within the enclosure.

From Castle Crag it's a short, sharp ascent to Raven Crag and the breathtaking views down the full length of Thirlmere to Dunmail Raise and Helvellyn. On a sunny day the views are unsurpassed for such a low fell and require little real effort! The route down is simple but steep and is the quickest way back to the car park, so is also the best escape route if bad weather is inbound!

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - North East