Hiking Highlight
Recommended by 31 out of 32 hikers
This Highlight is in a protected area
Please check local regulations for: Lake District National Park
Allen Crags is a fine fell right in the thick of the Lake District’s most mountainous region. From Esk Hause, the high, windswept crossroads between Esk Pike and the Scafells, it’s just a short walk to the summit. However, with the highest mountains in England to the west and legendary Bowfell to the southeast, Allen Crags has to settle for a place further down in the pecking order.
However, make no mistake, Allen Crags is a magnificent objective. Its summit is a fine perch from which to take in some mightily impressive scenery. The regal dome of Great Gable, the dramatic northern cliffs of Great End and the grandeur of Esk Pike and Bowfell are all seen magnificently. Meanwhile, a continuation along the ridge to the northeast brings you to Glaramara’s complex summit, another Lakeland favourite.
Allen Crags is remote and any adventure to its summit is long, involving a fair amount of effort. Approaches from Langdale, Langstrath, Borrowdale, Wasdale and Eskdale are all feasible and there’s plenty of accommodation in the valleys. Even better is to use its remoteness as an excuse for a high mountain wild camp.
Allen Crags is a 2,575-foot (785 m) mountain in the Lake District National Park. It's also a Wainwright fell and boasts excellent views to Great Gable over Sprinkling Tarn, but also to nearby Great End and then across to the Langdale Pikes. I visited on a misty/moody Friday and it was very atmospheric. Allen Crags is quite commonly hiked together with Glaramara as they are linked by a long ridge which ultimately ends in Bessyboot to the north east.
June 11, 2021
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