The steep, rough slopes of Graystones rising across the Whinlatter Pass

Graystones

Height456m (1,483ft)

Prominence11m (36ft)

RegionNorth Western Fells

Climbed1 Time

Graystones forms part of the prominent upland loop of peaks that encircles the quiet, tucked-away valley of Aiken Beck. Rising directly above the western entrance to the Whinlatter Pass, gentle, grassy slopes sweep steadily upward from the wide pastures of the Vale of Lorton to arrive at the fell's western shoulder. Moving a short distance east across a minor depression leads walkers to the true high point of Graystones itself, where the ridge lines narrow significantly to pick up the long, shallow dip of Widow Hause on its journey toward the adjacent crest of Broom Fell.

"Graystones is the name of a summit only. The fell of which it is the highest point is Kirk Fell, rising above the west end of Whinlatter Pass. This aspect of the fell is its most impressive, the declivity here being rough and steep, but northwards, facing Wythop, the slopes fall away more easily." — Wainwright 1957, Book Two

The true summit of the mountain is marked by a modest, simple stone cairn. While the surrounding gradients are too shallow and broad to provide any intensely sheer or dramatic cliff-edge drops, the open space acts as a brilliant, unhindered viewing platform. Pausing at the stones reveals an expansive landscape across the northwestern lakes, offering a fine, clear sightline to the nearby Loweswater Fells and the high, marching tops that frame Coledale Hause.

The quiet high point of Graystones, looking across the skyline toward the higher dome of Lord's Seat

Trip Reports

A Whinlatter Round05/10/2014

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