Gray Crag

Above Hartsop, a steep wall of grass and rock rises between Hayeswater and Pasture Beck. That is Gray Crag, the northern end of a narrow ridge running out from Thornthwaite Crag, with very steep flanks cut by crags and gullies.

Park at the end of the road through Hartsop village, squeezing through a narrow gap between buildings to reach the rough car park; there is a donations box at the gate. The direct way up follows Hayeswater Gill for about 1.5 km to the filter house below Hayeswater. From there climb the steep grassy north ridge, past a rocky outcrop, to the top. There is no scrambling, just a stiff climb.

The accepted summit is the northern top at 699 m. A little further south the ridge reaches 710 m, but that point doesn't count as the summit. Both tops have small cairns on grass. The view to the Helvellyn range is good, and from the edges you look straight down into the valleys either side.

The usual way on is south for about 2 km to Thornthwaite Crag and its tall stone beacon, then come back over Caudale Moor and Hartsop Dodd. Walk Lakes runs its Pasture Beck round the other way: Hartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike, the steep and rough drop to Threshthwaite Mouth, Thornthwaite Crag, then down Gray Crag. It is 10.4 km with 836 m of ascent, and the last descent is steep grass. Another way on is to walk up Pasture Beck to Threshthwaite Mouth and contour round onto the ridge. Walk Lakes also warns of cattle on this round in summer, some of them aggressive.

Don't confuse it with Grey Crag, spelled with an e, which is a different Wainwright above Longsleddale.