The impressive buttresses of Dow Crag

Dow Crag

Height778m (2,552ft)

Prominence129m (423ft)

RegionSouthern Fells

Climbed4 Times

When it comes to sheer, breathtaking rock architecture, Dow Crag stands virtually unrivaled in the Lake District, second perhaps only to the mighty Scafell Crag itself. Its legendary eastern face features a colossal, vertical fortress of rhyolite pillars that towers directly over the lonely, boulder-strewn waters of Goat's Water tarn. It is a deeply hallowed place in the history of British mountaineering, packed tight with memories of the earliest and finest Lakeland pioneers who first unlocked its imposing lines over a century ago.

"Second only to Scafell Crag in the magnificence of its rock architecture is the imposing precipice towering above the stony hollow of Goat's Water, a favourite of climbing ground hallowed by memories of the earliest and greatest Lakeland cragsmen and so obviously the supreme natural attraction hereabouts that its name is given to the whole of the fell which it is part." — Wainwright 1958, Book Three

Interestingly, the name 'Dow Crag' was originally reserved strictly for that immense, sheer eastern face. The broad, grassy mass of the fell had no real need for a name until hill walking exploded in popularity during the 19th century, at which point the title naturally claimed the entire mountain. Originally recorded as "Doe" on old maps, it is still pronounced that way by local dalesfolk to this day. The peak forms the high crown of a long southwestern ridge system that steps out from Brim Fell, carrying on over the subsidiary bumps of Buck Pike and Brown Pike.

The ridge line eventually intersects the historic Walna Scar Road—an ancient, rough mountain track that was originally cut through the high gaps to move slate and facilitate trade between Coniston and the Seathwaite valleys. For walkers today, starting from the high car park positioned partway up the pass offers a brilliant, highly effective head start, placing you within spitting distance of the high ridges right from the off.

The summit is no more than a pile of rocks

Reaching the high point of Dow Crag delivers a wonderfully raw, thrilling mountain experience. Unlike its neighbors, you won't find a massive, comfortable grassy platform or a giant, manicured stone monument here. The true summit is nothing more than a jagged, highly exposed pinnacle of bare bedrock thrusting up right on the precipitous lip of the crag walls. Scrambling onto this final pile of rocks requires an engaging bit of footwork, but it rewards you with an incredibly dramatic, completely unobstructed panorama rolling down toward the south and west horizons.