Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause 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 well-used path climbs beside Grains Gill and Ruddy Gill to the shelter below Esk Hause. A short rocky rise leads north to the top.

Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause at a glance

Distance	5.3 km one way, to the top
Ascent	686 m
Time up	2h 10m by Naismith's rule
There and back	3h 15m, down the same way
Grade	Moderate
Start	Seathwaite (roadside parking, Borrowdale)
Start grid reference	NY 234 121
Summit grid reference	NY 236 085

Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause map

The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.

Height profile and getting to the start

Start grid ref NY 234 121 · Driving directions · By bus or train

Near the start

From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.

How long Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause takes

Pace	To the top	There and back
Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up	1h 50m	2h 40m
Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up	2h 10m	3h 15m
Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up	2h 40m	4h 0m

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.

Today: sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08. Start by 13:53 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 13:51 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.

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 Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause: 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 Seathwaite

Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.

Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb up Base Brown
Seathwaite via Grains Gill up Esk Pike
Glaramara and Allen Crags round up Glaramara
Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause up Great End
Seathwaite via Styhead Tarn up Great Gable
Seathwaite via the Corridor Route up Scafell Pike
Seathwaite via Stockley Bridge up Seathwaite Fell

Other routes up Allen Crags

Route	Distance	Ascent	Time up	Grade
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
Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge	8.0 km one way	—	—	Hard

In an emergency

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 234 121, 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.

Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause: questions and answers

How far is Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause?

Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause is 5.3 km one way to the summit of Allen Crags, with 686 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.6 km.

How long does Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause take?

About 2h 10m to the summit of Allen Crags and 3h 15m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 4h 0m for the round trip.

Where do you park for Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause?

Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause starts from Seathwaite (roadside parking, Borrowdale). The grid reference is NY 234 121.

Is Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause suitable for beginners?

Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.

What time should I start Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause today?

By 13:53 at the latest. Sunset on Allen Crags today is 18:08, Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause takes about 3h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.

Is there a GPX for Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause?

Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).