Plan and record your progress through the Wainwright Fells of the Lake District
Eel Crag is located in Wainwright's North Western Fells, part of a number of mountains in the Coledale Round, one of the famous author, writer and illustrator's favourite walks in the Lake District. The official name for this fell is actually Crag Hill, with Eel Crag referring to a rock buttress overlooking Coledale. Wainwright knew this full well but opted to use the name Eel Crag as it was in common usage, and he had never heard anyone use the official name.
Eel Crag lies between Coledale and Rannerdale to the west, and can be completed as part of another horseshoe walk called the Rannerdale, which also ticks off the Wainwright fells Grasmoor, Wandope, Whiteless Pike and Rannerdale Knotts. But the superior and certainly more famous circular walk, and one that draws a number of Wainwright walkers each year is the Coledale Round. Starting in the village of Braithwaite, Wainwright recommended climbing the steep slopes of Grisedale Pike first, to get much of the hard work out of the way. Once at the summit of that Wainwright fell, the path continues to Hopegill Head, Eel Crag, Sail and Scar Crags. At this point there is an option to return to the starting point, but those with energy left and those keen for more ticks on their Wainwright maps can continue on to the less frequently visited peaks of Outerside and Barrow.
The summit of Eel Crag reveals good views down Coledale and in the opposite direction to Rannerdale, while many of the major fell groups can be clearly seen, especially a fine look at the Scafells. If walking the full Coledale Round the views are spectacular all around, into the Newlands Valley and to every corner of the Lake District. Those not wishing for such a long Eel Crag walk can make a direct ascent from Crummock Water, climbing first to the ridge between Eel Crag and Wandope before heading to the top.
More details on Eel Crag walks and the Coledale Round can be read about in detail in Book Six: The Northwestern Fells, by A. Wainwright, part of the Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells.