🥾 Walking route
Castle Crag from Seatoller Trail: The Scenic Route, North Lakes Outdoors
Cumbria
- 📏 5.6 km · 3.5 mi
- ⛰ +360 m
- ⏱ 1 hr 45 min
- 🐕 On lead
Walk stats
- Distance5.6 km · 3.5 mi
- Elevation+360 m
- Duration1 hr 45 min
- DifficultyModerate
- Route typeLinear
- TerrainWoodland paths, stony fell tracks, gill crossings
- Best seasonLate spring to early autumn
- DogsDog friendly, keep on lead near livestock
About this walk
This linear route climbs from Seatoller into the heart of Borrowdale, heading for the rocky little summit of Castle Crag. Setting off past Borrowdale YHA, the path threads through woodland and open fellside, crossing lively becks including Lavery Gill and Scaleclose Gill as it works its way north along the valley.
The way passes close to Stang Dub before the final pull up onto Castle Crag itself, a distinctive knoll rising from the wooded floor of the valley with wide views over Derwentwater and the surrounding fells. Nearby you can also glimpse the hidden ravine of Scaleclose Force and the ancient oakwoods of High Hows Wood and Johnny Wood, with Tongue Gill and Broadslack Gill tumbling off the slopes.
At around 5.6 km with 360 m of ascent, it is a moderate half-day outing. Honisters Yew Tree Coffee House sits handily near the start or finish for a warm drink before catching the bus back down the valley.
Route map
Route line drawn from OpenStreetMap footpath data. Numbered markers are waypoints on the route; amber star markers are points of interest a short detour away.
Waypoints along the route
6 waypoints along the way
- 1
Castle Crag
- 2
Lavery Gill
- 3
Scaleclose Gill
- 4
Honisters Yew Tree Coffee House
- 5
Borrowdale YHA
- 6
Stang Dub
Worth a short detour
Points of interest just off the route, look for the amber markers on the map.
Scaleclose Force
~251 m off the route
High Hows Wood
~269 m off the route
Tongue Gill
~295 m off the route
Johnny Wood
~324 m off the route
Broadslack Gill
~343 m off the route
Route & waypoint data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).