North Western Fells · Book 6

Eel Crag (Crag Hill)

Eel Crag (Crag Hill) is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 839 m (2,753 ft) it is the 24th highest of the 214 and the 2nd highest in the North Western Fells.

Height: 839 m; 2,753 ft
Rank: 24; of 214
In area: 2; of 29
Difficulty: Moderate

Eel Crag (Crag Hill) in the North Western Fells of the Lake District — Photo: Michael Graham via Geograph, CC BY-SA 2.0

About Eel Crag (Crag Hill)

The hub of the Coledale skyline, sitting between Grasmoor and Sail. A trig-topped summit gives big looks into Gasgale Gill and across to the Scafells. Often woven into the Coledale or Buttermere horseshoes for a grand day out.

Ordnance Survey maps now call this fell Crag Hill and keep the name Eel Crag for the cliffs on its northern face. It sits at the hub of the highest ground in the North Western Fells, with ridges running out north, south, east and west. Grasmoor is higher, but the others all meet here.

Braithwaite is the start for the Coledale round. Park in the village or at the small car park near the foot of the Whinlatter road, and follow the Coledale mine road towards Force Crag Mine and up to Coledale Hause, the broad grassy col at the head of the valley. From the hause a path turns the crags to the west, climbs beside a stream to the col with Grasmoor, then goes up a wide path to the top. Eel Crag itself, straight above the hause, is steep boulder scree and rock and no place for walkers. From the east, the ridge from Sail crosses The Scar, a narrow rocky crest with a few easy rock steps. From Crummock Water you can follow Rannerdale Beck or Gasgale Gill, and from Buttermere the ridge comes up over Whiteless Pike and Wandope.

The top is a stony plateau with a rather battered Ordnance Survey trig pillar. Just beyond it the ground falls gently at first and then over cliffs into Coledale, with Force Crag Mine below and Keswick, Skiddaw and Blencathra at the end of the valley. Every major fell group is in view, the Scafells especially.

Unlike most of the fells around Coledale, Crag Hill was never mined. Many people fold it into a round of Coledale or Gasgale Gill, crossing to or from Hopegill Head by Coledale Hause.

In winter

The summit plateau is broad and featureless, and just past the trig point the ground falls over cliffs into Coledale, so navigation matters in mist or snow. The rock steps on The Scar ice up, and the direct line up Eel Crag from Coledale Hause is steep boulder scree to avoid in any season.

Waterfall Route
Great Views
Dog Friendly

Sources: Wikipedia: Crag Hill, Walk Lakes: A Shorter Coledale Round, Walk Lakes: Grasmoor via Lad Howes ridge. Updated 22 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 192 203
Latitude: 54.57203° N
Longitude: 3.25028° W
Area: North Western Fells

Walking up Eel Crag (Crag Hill)

The nearest car park on foot is Revelin Moss, 4.9 km (3.1 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Revelin Moss

Distance: 4.9 km; 3.1 miles, one way
Ascent: 723 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 2 h 6 min; Allow 1 to 3 hours

Height in metres along the path from Revelin Moss 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.

Eel Crag (Crag Hill) questions

Is Eel Crag (Crag Hill) a Wainwright?

Yes. Eel Crag (Crag Hill) is one of the 214 fells Alfred Wainwright described in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, in Book 6, The North Western Fells.

How high is Eel Crag (Crag Hill)?

Eel Crag (Crag Hill) is 839 metres (2,753 feet) high. That makes it the 24th highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the 2nd highest in the North Western Fells.

Where do you park for Eel Crag (Crag Hill)?

The nearest car park on foot is Revelin Moss, 4.9 km (3.1 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Eel Crag (Crag Hill)?

From Revelin Moss it is 4.9 km with 723 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 2 h 6 min, so allow 1 to 3 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Eel Crag (Crag Hill)?

Upfell rates Eel Crag (Crag Hill) as moderate. Check the mountain weather forecast before you set out and carry a map and compass.

Which Wainwrights are near Eel Crag (Crag Hill)?

The closest are Sail (773 m, 0.6 km E), Wandope (774 m, 0.8 km SW) and Scar Crags (672 m, 1.5 km E).

What is the grid reference for the summit of Eel Crag (Crag Hill)?

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 192 203, or 54.57203, -3.25028 in latitude and longitude.