Black Crag Summit

Hiking

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The Mosedale branch of Wasdale is ringed by some of the Lake District’s most famous and charismatic fells. Yet the summit that towers above its head does not enjoy the status of its fellows. This is Black Crag, a 2,717-foot (828 m) high point boasting fierce crags that tower over both Ennerdale’s Windgap Cove and the superb Mosedale.

The reason Black Crag is relatively anonymous is that Alfred Wainwright considered it as part of the slightly higher, but arguably less-dramatically located, Scoat Fell. Unlike Steeple, Scoat Fell’s other spectacular outlier, Black Crag’s charms were not enough to earn it a separate chapter in the famous Pictorial Guides.

A magnificent perch on the ridge between Scoat Fell and Pillar

However, such classifications pale into insignificance once you get up there and survey the vast mountainous country that surrounds Black Crag. The summit is situated on the ridge between Scoat Fell and mighty Pillar, which rises directly to the northeast, beyond the col of Windy Gap.

As well as the excellent Mosedale Horseshoe, the obvious skyline route around the head of the valley, there are many ways to approach Black Crag. Windy Gap, directly below the summit, links paths from both Wasdale Head (via Mosedale) and Ennerdale. Wasdale is the most obvious base, with a number of good accommodation options, while Ennerdale is home to the Black Sail Youth Hostel, one of the national park’s finest.

From the top, the view north is curtailed by Pillar’s huge bulk and the south end of the High Stile range across Ennerdale is dreary compared to when seen from Buttermere. However, the vista to the southeast, down the length of Mosedale and up to the Scafells is majestic, as is the view of Great Gable’s domed summit above the broad plateau of Kirk Fell.

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Lake District National Park

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Location: Wasdale, Copeland, Cumbria, North West England, England, United Kingdom

Tips

September 27, 2022

Hiking

Black Crag is a wonderful little summit that forms part of the Mosedale Horseshoe. It rises on the ridge between Scoat Fell and Pillar and, thanks to its lack of Wainwright status, is not as renowned as its neighbours. Nevertheless, Black Crag is a very worthy objective with stunning views across the Western and Southern Fells.