Crag Fell: Height, Walks and Views over Ennerdale

Crag Fell stands above the western end of Ennerdale Water, its craggy northern slopes giving a modest-height fell a strong presence beside the lake. At 523m, it offers a rewarding perspective into one of Lakeland’s least developed valleys. Walkers often pair it with neighbouring Grike, but the outlook over the water and towards the higher Western Fells gives Crag Fell a character quite its own.

A craggy face above Ennerdale Water

Crag Fell rises on the southern side of Ennerdale Water, close to the lake’s western end. Its name fits the face seen from the water: broken, rocky slopes contrast with the gentler ground around the summit. That contrast is part of its appeal. From below it looks rugged; on top, the sense of space matters as much as the rock.

Anglers Crag is a distinctive rocky feature on the lake-facing side of the fell, standing above the southern shore. It belongs to the lower slopes rather than the summit itself, and helps give this end of Ennerdale its recognisable outline. Woodland and forestry also form part of the surrounding landscape, contrasting with the open upper ground.

Summit views into the Western Fells

The principal attraction is the view along Ennerdale Water towards the higher fells at the head of the valley. The lake provides a clear foreground, while the enclosing ridges draw the eye eastwards. Great Borne stands across the valley to the north, and the higher skyline towards Pillar gives the view its depth.

Looking west brings a different character: lower country opens towards the coast of West Cumbria and the Irish Sea. Crag Fell sits at a useful meeting point between these two landscapes, with the rough interior of the Lakes in one direction and a much wider, more open horizon in the other. Visibility naturally determines how much of that distant outlook can be seen.

Crag Fell’s place among the Wainwrights

Crag Fell appears in The Western Fells, the seventh book of Alfred Wainwright’s pictorial guides. Its summit is 523m (1,716ft), at grid reference NY097143, and it ranks 161st by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Those figures place it among the lower summits in the collection, but height alone says little about the quality of its lake views.

Grike is its immediate western neighbour and a natural companion on a fell walk. Lank Rigg lies farther south, while Great Borne and Gavel Fell belong to the neighbouring country north of Ennerdale. Walks taking in Crag Fell vary in scope, from an outing focused on the fell and Grike to longer combinations. A current map and a dedicated route guide are useful for choosing an approach, particularly where forestry tracks and paths are involved.

Where Crag Fell stands

Summit at grid reference NY097143 · open full map

The real Crag Fell

Walking Crag Fell

We make artwork, not route guides — these are the guides we'd point a friend to:

• Grike & Crag Fell (masarnenramblers.com)
• Grange Fell walk - King's How walk - Borrowdale walk (andrewswalks.co.uk)
• Grike Route One (wainwrightroutes.co.uk)

Weather on Crag Fell

Conditions estimated at summit height (523 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Crag Fell on your wall

A painting of Crag Fell can bring back the particular pleasure of looking along Ennerdale Water, with the higher fells gathered beyond. As a print or canvas at home, that familiar meeting of water, woodland and rough fell can keep a western Lakeland walk close to mind.

Own “Vibrant Crag Fell Lake Reflection” — our painting of Crag Fell → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Western Fells

• Grike 488 m
• Lank Rigg 541 m
• Great Borne 616 m
• Gavel Fell 524 m

Part of our guide to all 214 Wainwrights — see the full index.