Plan and record your progress through the Wainwright Fells of the Lake District
Crag Fell is one of the most westerly of the Wainwright fells, located above the shores of Ennerdale Water. The northern face of Crag Fells features the craggy outcrops that give the fell its name, dropping steeply to the water's edge. While by no means the largest Wainwright hill (162nd of 214 if you want to be exact about it!), its position next to Ennerdale Water make it a picturesque Wainwright walk to complete.
Common ascent routes begin at the village of Ennerdale Bridge, either following the course of Ben Gill, or more interestingly along the lake shore, climbing close to where iron was once mined until the 1890's. This latter route continues to the summit of this Wainwright fell passing by the Crag Fell Pinnacles, a fractured curtain of rock above the path. For a longer walk taking up a whole afternoon, keen 'collectors' of Wainwright fells should consider a circular route starting just south of Ennerdale Bridge, first climbing Grike, then Crag Fell and continuing on to Lank Rigg - allowing three peaks to be ticked off your Wainwright Hill Charts. This Wainwright walk has the advantage of beginning close to the impressive Kinniside Stone Circle, at atmospheric start to the circular route.
Being so far west, views from the top of Crag Fell are extensive in the direction of the sea, while Ennerdale Water is very well given the fell drops steeply to the lake shore. Looking East up Ennerdale are excellent views of the High Stile range to the north of the valley, and the impressive Pillar, 8th highest of the Wainwright Fells. Alfred Wainwright mentioned that the view was somewhat blighted by the presence of Calder Hall atomic power station, now replaced with Sellafield - but that shouldn't spoil the view for any but the most ardent purists.
A fuller account of Crag Fell and the Lank Rigg group of hills is found in Book Seven: The Western Fells, by A.Wainwright, part of his series, the Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells.
Crag Fell in the distance, immediately to the left of Ennerdale Water. Pillar looms large in the left of the picture. Photograph by Jack Towers.