Southern Fells · Book 4

Allen Crags

Allen Crags is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 785 m (2,575 ft) it is the joint 42nd highest of the 214 and the joint 11th highest in the Southern Fells.

Height: 785 m; 2,575 ft
Rank: =42; of 214
In area: =11; of 30
Difficulty: Difficult

Allen Crags in the Southern Fells of the Lake District — Photo: Michael Graham via Geograph, CC BY-SA 2.0

About Allen Crags

A knobbly ridge‑top above Esk Hause with intricate lines between boulders and shelves. Brilliant as part of a long Scafells day, with big views into upper Eskdale.

Walk north from Esk Hause and Allen Crags is the first high ground you reach. It closes the southern end of the long ridge that climbs out of Borrowdale over Glaramara, and many walkers collect it on a Borrowdale round rather than for its own sake.

Seathwaite, at the end of the Borrowdale road, is the base. Boulders now stop verge parking by the farm, so use the field beside it. A bridleway runs to Stockley Bridge and up Grains Gill and Ruddy Gill to Esk Hause, and from there Allen Crags is a short climb north. For a quieter line, leave Grains Gill at a footbridge and follow Allen Gill up through broken crags, keeping to grass, to meet the ridge at Lincomb Tarns. That way has pathless stretches. Neither needs any scrambling.

The ridge from Glaramara is about 3 km long, rocky and up and down, with tarns, boulders and three smaller tops along the way. A 15 km loop from Seathwaite takes in Seathwaite Fell, Glaramara and Allen Crags together.

Of the three summit cairns, the middle one, set on rock, is the highest. The east side drops steeply into Langstrath and the west falls in grey slabs to Grains Gill. Higher fells block much of the view south, but Great Gable looks good from here, and to the north you can see down to Derwentwater and Skiddaw.

In winter

Esk Hause, just below the summit, is a broad col where several paths meet, so take a compass bearing before you leave it in mist or snow. The ridge from Glaramara is 3 km of knolls and tarns, and a full Seathwaite round needs an early start to finish in winter daylight.

Ridge Walk
Great Views
Potentially Dangerous
Dog Friendly

Sources: Wikipedia: Allen Crags, Wainwright Routes: Allen Crags Route One. Updated 23 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 236 085
Latitude: 54.46635° N
Longitude: 3.17915° W
Area: Southern Fells

Walking up Allen Crags

The nearest car park on foot is Lake Head Car Park, 7.0 km (4.3 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Lake Head Car Park

Distance: 7.0 km; 4.3 miles, one way
Ascent: 982 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 2 h 54 min; Allow 2 to 4 hours

Height in metres along the path from Lake Head Car Park to the summit.

Times use Naismith’s rule, 5 km/h on the flat plus extra time for the climb, with Langmuir’s corrections. It’s a rule of thumb for the way up only, so add stops, weather and the walk back down.

The route follows paths mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors and isn’t a guided line. This car park was picked automatically and hasn’t been checked by hand yet, so compare it with a map. Check the mountain forecast before you go and carry a map and compass.

Allen Crags questions

Is Allen Crags a Wainwright?

Yes. Allen Crags is one of the 214 fells Alfred Wainwright described in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, in Book 4, The Southern Fells.

How high is Allen Crags?

Allen Crags is 785 metres (2,575 feet) high. That makes it the joint 42nd highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the joint 11th highest in the Southern Fells.

Where do you park for Allen Crags?

The nearest car park on foot is Lake Head Car Park, 7.0 km (4.3 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Allen Crags?

From Lake Head Car Park it is 7.0 km with 982 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 2 h 54 min, so allow 2 to 4 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Allen Crags?

Upfell rates Allen Crags as difficult, and parts of it can be dangerous in poor weather or visibility. Check the mountain weather forecast before you set out and carry a map and compass.

Which Wainwrights are near Allen Crags?

The closest are Great End (910 m, 1.0 km W), Esk Pike (885 m, 1.0 km S) and Rossett Pike (651 m, 1.6 km SE).

What is the grid reference for the summit of Allen Crags?

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 236 085, or 54.46635, -3.17915 in latitude and longitude.