Stone Arthur: Height, Walks and Views above Grasmere

Stone Arthur is the rocky shoulder above Grasmere that earns its place through character rather than height. At 504m, it belongs to the long south-western ridge of Great Rigg, yet its outcrops give it a recognisable identity from the valley below. Walkers come for the close view over Grasmere and the contrast between a compact, craggy destination and the much higher ground continuing beyond it.

A rocky shoulder above Grasmere

Stone Arthur is not an isolated mountain with a summit standing clear on every side. It is a rocky projection on the south-western ridge descending from Great Rigg, overlooking Grasmere. Its character comes from the outcrops that interrupt the grassy slope: seen from below, these give the fell a much stronger outline than its modest height might suggest.

The summit is recorded at 504m, or 1,654ft, at grid reference NY347092. Here, the interest is in the contrast between rock, open fellside and the settled valley beneath. Grasmere village and lake are the chief features of the outlook, framed by the surrounding fells. The view is especially rewarding because the valley remains close enough for its woods, fields and buildings to be distinct.

Higher ground behind Stone Arthur limits the sense of an all-round summit panorama. That is part of its identity rather than a shortcoming: this is a fell for looking out over Grasmere, not for surveying every quarter of Lakeland.

Stone Arthur among the Eastern Fells

Stone Arthur appears in The Eastern Fells, the first book of Alfred Wainwright’s seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. It ranks 174th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its inclusion gives a relatively small rocky shoulder a place alongside the much larger summits of the eastern district.

Great Rigg is the key to understanding its position. The ridge rises from Stone Arthur towards that higher fell, which stands on the familiar Fairfield Horseshoe circuit. Heron Pike and Nab Scar lie along the horseshoe’s western arm, while Seat Sandal stands across the valley to the north. These neighbouring Wainwrights place Stone Arthur within a closely connected group of fells around Grasmere.

A Grasmere walk with a distinct destination

Grasmere is the usual starting area for walks to Stone Arthur. Its relatively low height should not be confused with a level or effortless outing: the ascent from the valley involves sustained climbing, and the rocky upper ground deserves care when wet or icy.

Stone Arthur can be the destination of a shorter fell walk or part of a longer outing towards Great Rigg. It is not on the standard Fairfield Horseshoe line, so including it changes that circuit. For detailed paths, timings and current access information, consult a dedicated walking guide and an appropriate map.

Where Stone Arthur stands

Summit at grid reference NY347092 · open full map

Walking Stone Arthur

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

• Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Great Rigg & Stone Arthur (masarnenramblers.com)
• Stone Arthur, Great Rigg and Heron Pike (wainwrightwalking.co.uk)
• Stone Arthur (walklakes.co.uk)

Weather on Stone Arthur

Conditions estimated at summit height (504 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Stone Arthur on your wall

A painting of Stone Arthur can bring the familiar shape of the fell into an everyday room: rough outcrops above Grasmere, with higher ground beyond. As a print or canvas, it offers a quiet reminder of a climb that need not reach the highest summits to stay with you.

Own “Sunlit Ridge on Stone Arthur” — our painting of Stone Arthur → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Eastern Fells

• Heron Pike 612 m
• Great Rigg 766 m
• Seat Sandal 737 m
• Nab Scar 450 m

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