Little Hart Crag: 637m Height, Walks and Summit Views

Little Hart Crag is a compact, rocky fell above Scandale, with two summit knolls that give it more character than its modest height might suggest. At 637m, it stands among larger Eastern Fells but offers a distinct summit rather than merely a stopping point on a ridge. Its connections with High Hartsop Dodd, Dove Crag and Red Screes make it a rewarding part of a longer fell day.

A rocky summit above Scandale

Little Hart Crag rises to 637m (2,090ft), with its highest point at grid reference NY387100. Its most recognisable feature is the pair of rocky knolls at the summit, the western one being higher. These outcrops give the top a craggy character, contrasting with the grassier ground that links it to neighbouring fells. It is a small summit area with a clear identity, despite the greater heights close by.

The fell stands above the head of Scandale, the valley reaching north from the Ambleside side of the district. Red Screes rises across Scandale Pass, while Dove Crag stands to the west. These nearby fells are an important part of the outlook: this is a place to appreciate the shapes of adjoining ridges, crags and valley heads, rather than judge the view only by how far it reaches.

Little Hart Crag in the Eastern Fells

Little Hart Crag belongs to Alfred Wainwright’s The Eastern Fells, the first volume of his seven-book Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. It ranks 119th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its position puts it within the network of ridges around Fairfield, Dove Crag and Red Screes, although it is not on the usual Fairfield Horseshoe circuit.

A ridge extends towards High Hartsop Dodd, overlooking the Brothers Water area, while higher ground connects Little Hart Crag with Dove Crag. Scandale Pass separates it from Red Screes. Those relationships help explain its appeal to Wainwright walkers: it can be considered alongside several neighbours, yet its twin rocky tops make it readily distinguishable from the broader slopes around it.

Walking connections and local character

Scandale and the Hartsop side provide contrasting settings for walks that include Little Hart Crag. Scandale gives the fell its southern valley context; to the north-east, Caiston Glen descends towards the Brothers Water area. Walks commonly combine the summit with High Hartsop Dodd or include it in a longer outing involving Dove Crag or Red Screes.

Its interest is chiefly topographical rather than historical: the summit rocks, the adjoining pass and the branching ridges are what define it. When choosing a walk, consult a dedicated route guide and current mapping; combining nearby summits can add substantial distance and ascent.

Where Little Hart Crag stands

Summit at grid reference NY387100 · open full map

The real Little Hart Crag

Walking Little Hart Crag

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

• Guide links to be curated.

Weather on Little Hart Crag

Conditions estimated at summit height (637 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Little Hart Crag on your wall

A painting of Little Hart Crag can bring back the quieter details of a fell day: the rocky twin tops, the grass between outcrops and Red Screes across the pass. On a wall at home, those familiar shapes offer a lasting connection to time spent above Scandale.

Own “Little Hart Crag Sunlit Ridge” — our painting of Little Hart Crag → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Eastern Fells

• High Hartsop Dodd 519 m
• Middle Dodd 654 m
• Red Screes 779 m
• Hartsop Above How 586 m

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