Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head up Black Crag: route map, distance and time
828 m · Cumbria
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Overbeck Bridge National Trust car park.
Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head starts at about 66 m and gains 791 m over 6.3 km to 797 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 219 m (22%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 230 m at an average of 23%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.2 km at about 31%. The final 0.3 km eases to the top. About 25% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head at a glance
| Distance | 6.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 791 m up, 61 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 66 m to 810 m (summit 828 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 31%, from 0.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 25% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Overbeck Bridge National Trust car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 167 068 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 166 116 |
| Parking | Overbeck Bridge National Trust car park |
Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head 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.
Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head 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 | 285 m | +219 m | 22% steep | NY 168 077 |
| 2 km | 380 m | +95 m | 9% | NY 169 086 |
| 3 km | 473 m | +93 m | 9% | NY 174 094 |
| 4 km | 702 m | +230 m | 23% steep | NY 167 099 |
| 5 km | 776 m | +74 m | 7% | NY 163 107 |
| 6 km | 791 m | +15 m | 1% | NY 163 116 |
| 6.3 km | 797 m | +6 m | 2% | NY 166 116 |
How long Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 3h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 4h 45m |
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.
Black Crag summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Mostly dry, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 15 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 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 36 mph gusting 45 mph, 22% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
Best day of the next seven for Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 19 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Black Crag forecast
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 -4°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 Black Crag
More about Black Crag, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Black Crag
More walks from Overbeck Bridge 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.
- Overbeck western fell walking approach up Caw Fell
- Overbeck western fell walking approach up Haycock
- Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head up Red Pike
- Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head up Scoat Fell
- Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head up Steeple
- Overbeck Bridge via Great Door up Yewbarrow
- Overbeck western fell walking approach up Little Gowder Crag
- Overbeck western fell walking approach up Iron Crag
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 167 068, the summit at NY 166 116), 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.
Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head: questions and answers
How far is Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head?
Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head is 6.3 km one way to the summit of Black Crag. There and back by the same way is about 12.6 km.
How steep is Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head?
The steepest 500 m averages about 31%, starting 0.2 km from the start, and 25% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head climbs 791 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head?
Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head starts from Overbeck Bridge National Trust car park. The grid reference is NY 167 068. Overbeck Bridge National Trust car park
Is Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head 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.
Is there a GPX for Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head?
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.