Central Fells · Book 3

Loft Crag

Loft Crag is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 682 m (2,238 ft) it is the 98th highest of the 214 and the 8th highest in the Central Fells.

Height: 682 m; 2,238 ft
Rank: 98; of 214
In area: 8; of 27
Difficulty: Moderate

Loft Crag in the Central Fells of the Lake District — Photo: Mick Knapton via Wikimedia Commons

About Loft Crag

Another Langdale Pike with huge presence over the valley. Short, rocky steps and classic views to Pike of Stickle. Makes a brilliant three‑peak round with Harrison Stickle.

Loft Crag's south face drops nearly 600 m over crags to the floor of Great Langdale. Gimmer Crag, on that face, is one of the Lake District's best known climbing cliffs, made of volcanic siltstone and mudstone.

Walkers start at the New Dungeon Ghyll National Trust car park. The direct way heads north west past Dungeon Ghyll Force, then slants up between Thorn Crag and Gimmer Crag to a col just below the summit. The longer way climbs Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn and comes round over Pavey Ark or Thunacar Knott before heading south to the Pikes.

Paths are steep and loose in places, and the flatter ground of Harrison Combe behind the Pikes is boggy. From the col, the final 20 or 30 metres is an easy scramble with plenty of variations to the peaked summit, a smaller copy of the rock knob on Pike of Stickle.

Of the three Pikes, Loft Crag juts furthest out over the valley, so it has the best view of Great Langdale, down the length of the dale and across to the fells around its head.

Pike of Stickle is a short walk to the west and Harrison Stickle lies just to the north east, so nearly everyone climbs all three on the same day. Add Thunacar Knott and Pavey Ark and the round from the car park comes to about 9 km.

In winter

The path between Thorn Crag and Gimmer Crag and the final rocks above the col are steep and awkward with ice on them. The south face drops about 600 m to the valley, so keep well back from the edge in snow or poor visibility.

Great Views
Waterfall Route
Dog Friendly

Sources: Wikipedia: Loft Crag, Walk Lakes: The Langdale Pikes, Walking Englishman: The Langdale Pikes. Updated 24 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 277 071
Latitude: 54.45442° N
Longitude: 3.11597° W
Area: Central Fells

Walking up Loft Crag

The nearest car park on foot is New Dungeon Ghyll, 2.6 km (1.6 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 2.6 km; 1.6 miles, one way
Ascent: 603 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 1 h 28 min; Allow 1 to 2 hours

Height in metres along the path from New Dungeon Ghyll 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.

Loft Crag questions

Is Loft Crag a Wainwright?

Yes. Loft Crag is one of the 214 fells Alfred Wainwright described in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, in Book 3, The Central Fells.

How high is Loft Crag?

Loft Crag is 682 metres (2,238 feet) high. That makes it the 98th highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the 8th highest in the Central Fells.

Where do you park for Loft Crag?

The nearest car park on foot is New Dungeon Ghyll, 2.6 km (1.6 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Loft Crag?

From New Dungeon Ghyll it is 2.6 km with 603 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 1 h 28 min, so allow 1 to 2 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Loft Crag?

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

Which Wainwrights are near Loft Crag?

The closest are Pike o'Stickle (708 m, 0.4 km NW), Harrison Stickle (736 m, 0.5 km NE) and Thunacar Knott (723 m, 1.0 km N).

What is the grid reference for the summit of Loft Crag?

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 277 071, or 54.45442, -3.11597 in latitude and longitude.