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Grasmoor via Crag Hill from Buttermere village

Lake District Walk

Nat Park - Lake District - Lake District North Western Fells

Wainwrights - Eel Crag, Grasmoor, Wandope, Whiteless Pike

County/Area - Cumbria

Author - Peter Aris

Length - 8.0 miles / 13 km    Ascent - 3200 feet / 970 metres

Time - 7 hours 10 minutes    Grade - mod/hard

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Grasmoor via Crag Hill
Click image to visit gallery of 9 images.

This Lake District walk description is based on the series of photographs taken by me on 16th May 2004 during a walk from Buttermere. The weather was perfect with excellent long distance visibility with the distant early morning view of Great Gable with a cloak of mist being particularly noteworthy.

The start is the car park in Buttermere (Grid ref. NY173169). From the car park walk to the main road in the centre of the village and turn left towards Lorton. Cross Mill Beck and take the path on your right that follows this stream. Continue uphill to reach the indistinct col between Low Bank and Whiteless Pike (Grid ref. NY 179177). The climb continues up Whiteless Breast to reach the summit of Whiteless Pike.

The path loses some height as you continue along a well defined ridge with a steep drop to your right before climbing to the summit of Wandhope. Continuing you skirt Addacomb Hole on your right to reach the summit of Crag Hill from where there are extensive views in all directions.

Retracing your steps for a short way, ignore the path to Wandhope, instead descending gently to the col between Crag Hill and Grasmoor. Continue uphill to the summit of the latter peak. The domed summit area is not well suited for those wishing to enjoy the view and if you want to look down towards Crummock Water then continue a short way west past the summit cairn and shelter.

With the last summit of the day in the bag locate the steep path that descends over Lad Hows to Cinderdale Common. This is not the easiest descent if, like me, you're unfit and overweight! The views are fantastic though and well worth the pain - much better than via Coledale Hause and Gasgale Gill.

Reaching the road at Cinderdale Common turn left and walk back to Buttermere to enjoy a well earned pint at the Fish Hotel.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2642 Buttermere Horseshoevery hard14.0 miles
Walk 2539 Grasmoor and Rannerdale Knottsmoderate8.0 miles
Walk 1732 Coledale and Newlands circular from near Buttermerehard9.0 miles
Walk 1011 Knott Rigg and Ard Cragseasy/mod3.5 miles
Walk 1231 Grasmoor via Whiteless Pikemoderate7.0 miles
Walk 2020 Rannerdale Knotts and Crummock Water from Cinderdale Commoneasy/mod2.5 miles
Walk 1153 The High Stile Ridgehard10.0 miles
Walk 1289 Fleetwith Pike & Haystacksmoderate5.5 miles
Walk 2021 Whiteside, Hopegill Head & Grisedale Pikemoderate7.5 miles
Walk 3676 Hen Comb from Loweswatermoderate5.4 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Lake District: Low Level and Lake Walks

Lake District: Low Level and Lake WalksThis guidebook describes 30 of the best low-level walks in the Lake District. From delightful wooded glades and sparkling tarns, to waterfalls and glacier-carved valleys towered over by craggy mountains. The walks described aim to seek out the best walking that the lower areas of the Lake District have to offer.
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Walking the Lake District Fells - Keswick

Walking the Lake District Fells - KeswickPart of the Walking the Lake District Fells series, this guidebook covers a wide range of routes to 30 Lakeland summits that can be climbed from Keswick, Whinlatter, Bassenthwaite, Caldbeck, Mungrisdale and Threlkeld, with highlights including Skiddaw and Blencathra. Includes suggestions for longer ridge routes.
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