Raven Crag

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Route: Thirlmere Dam, Raven Crag, Castle Crag, Thirlmere Dam

Date: 06/09/2014
From: Thirlmere

Parking: Car park at the Valve Houses
Start Point: Thirlmere Dam
Region: Southern Fells

Route length: 2.1 miles (3.37km)
Time taken: 01:11
Average speed: 1.7 mph
Ascent: 316m
Descent: 326m

Wainwrights on this walk:
Raven Crag (357m)

Additional summits: Castle Crag (404m)

Other points of interest: Thirlmere Dam, Ancient Fort

After a quick climb of High Rigg, we drove around the Thirlmere where we could be found unsuccessfully trying to feed a car parking machine on the dam. Unsuccessful because it was broken, which was lucky for us, not so lucky for the car park owner. Our aim this time was set on Raven Crag, an impressive rock face that overlooks Thirlmere.

A steep path climbs up through the Thirlmere Forest (a conifer plantation) before it meets an old forestry track where the going gets easier. On a sharp bend, the forest clears slightly and the sheer scale of Raven Crag can be observed. It's a mighty feature, a near-vertical face of rock that falls a considerable distance effectively into Thirlmere.

Thirlmere

Climbing the steep path through the trees

Raven Crag begins to make an appearance

Raven Crag

The forestry track continues on until it reaches a well defined but well-hidden path that climbs further up into the trees. Made up of a combination of steps and a steeply graded path, it's a tiring climb (Raven Crag is nearly 500m high). The odd fallen tree blocking the path adds to the exertion. Despite this, the steep path gains height quickly and before long it flattens as it reaches Castle Crag, a small outcrop just off the beaten path.

The path follows the tree line

Raise

The outcrop of Castle Crag

A final climb, again steep, is required to reach to summit of Raven Crag but, I assure you, it is most definitely worth it. The summit itself stands a little back from the edge of the cliffs but a brave excursion to the edge will reveal a stunning view of Thirlmere stretching out towards Dunmail Raise and a near vertical view down to the dam at the northern end of the reservoir.

Raven Crag's summit

Clough Head, Great Dodd and Watson's Dodd

Thirlmere

Dunmail Raise

The view down to the car park and dam

White Side and Helvellyn

Castle Rock

We pottered around for a few minutes, waiting for a group of miscreants to clear off before starting to make our way down as well. Instead of heading straight back to the car, we stopped off at Castle Crag, which I mentioned a moment ago as, aside from being a Birkett, it is the site of an Iron Age hill fort and worthy of investigation.

Skiddaw and Blencathra over The Benn

The mound surrounding the ancient fort

Iron Crag over Shoulthwaite

With our curiosity satisfied and another Birkett added to the list, we returned to the main path and retraced our steps back down to the car. Second one done. Off to Castle Crag.

Heading back through the trees