Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Allen Crags: route map, distance and time
785 m · Cumbria
Allen Crags is a rocky fell at the head of Borrowdale and Langstrath, rising north of Esk Hause at the main crossroads of the central Lakeland fells.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Rosthwaite National Trust car park.
The Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge starts at about 88 m and gains 805 m over 8.0 km to 766 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 3%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 247 m at an average of 25%. It keeps climbing at 11% to the top. About 16% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge at a glance
| Distance | 8.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 805 m up, 127 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 88 m to 768 m (summit 785 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 27%, from 3.4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 16% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Rosthwaite National Trust car park, CA12 5XB |
| Start grid reference | NY 257 148 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 236 085 |
| Parking | Rosthwaite National Trust car park |
Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- The Langstrath Inn1.3 km
- The Yew Tree Pub1.7 km
- The Flock-in0.1 km
- Borrowdale YHA0.7 km
- Peathouse Tea & Coffee Shop1.3 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets1.7 km
- Chapel House Farm Campsite0.9 km
- National Trust Campsite1.8 km
- Seatoller Farm1.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 101 m | +13 m | 1% | NY 254 140 |
| 2 km | 144 m | +43 m | 4% | NY 251 134 |
| 3 km | 320 m | +176 m | 18% | NY 249 125 |
| 4 km | 567 m | +247 m | 25% steep | NY 245 118 |
| 5 km | 677 m | +110 m | 11% | NY 247 109 |
| 6 km | 757 m | +80 m | 8% | NY 245 100 |
| 7 km | 660 m | -97 m | -10% | NY 240 093 |
| 8 km | 766 m | +106 m | 11% | NY 236 085 |
How long the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 55m | 4h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 35m | 5h 35m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
Allen Crags summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 12 mph gusting 19 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 36 mph gusting 46 mph, 49% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
Best day of the next seven for the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 19 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Allen Crags forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Allen Crags?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -3°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Allen Crags
Allen Crags is a rocky fell at the head of Borrowdale and Langstrath, rising north of Esk Hause at the main crossroads of the central Lakeland fells. More about Allen Crags, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- High House Tarn Top (683 m), 0.8 km north-east
- Great End (910 m), 1 km west
- Esk Pike (885 m), 1 km south
- Red Beck Top (720 m), 1.3 km north-east
- Seathwaite Fell South Top (631 m), 1.3 km north-west
- Seathwaite Fell (631 m), 1.5 km north-west
Challenges that include Allen Crags
More walks from Rosthwaite National Trust car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Glaramara
- Rosthwaite via the Watendlath path up Grange Fell
- Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge up High Raise
- Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn up High Spy
- Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge up Sergeant Man
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Rosthwaite Fell
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Looking Steads
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Red Beck Top
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up High House Tarn Top
Other routes up Allen Crags
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause | 5.3 km one way | 686 m | 2h 10m | Moderate |
| Great Langdale via Rossett Gill | 7.1 km one way | 750 m | 2h 40m | Moderate |
| Seatoller via Stockley Bridge, Grains Gill and Esk Hause | 8.3 km one way | 730 m | 2h 55m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 257 148, the summit at NY 236 085), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge?
The Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge is 8.0 km one way to the summit of Allen Crags. There and back by the same way is about 16.0 km.
How steep is the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 27%, starting 3.4 km from the start, and 16% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge climbs 805 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge?
The Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge starts from Rosthwaite National Trust car park (postcode CA12 5XB). The grid reference is NY 257 148. Rosthwaite National Trust car park
Is the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause.
Is there a GPX for the Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.