Grasmere via Far Easedale up Calf Crag: route map, distance and time
537 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY301104
Calf Crag is the end of the ridge from Helm Crag above Grasmere, the turning point of a classic round of Far Easedale.
Walk up the Far Easedale valley path to its head, then climb north onto the ridge to the summit.
Grasmere via Far Easedale at a glance
| Distance | 6.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 470 m |
| Time up | 2h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Grasmere village |
| Start grid reference | NY 336 075 |
| Summit grid reference | NY301104 |
Grasmere via Far Easedale 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
Near the start
- 1769 Bar & Restaurant0.1 km
- Tweedies Bar0.2 km
- The Distiller’s Arms0.2 km
- Baldry's0.0 km
- Freda And Ray Cafe0.0 km
- Harleys Bistro Cafe Bar0.0 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.3 km
- Public toilets0.7 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Grasmere via Far Easedale takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 4h 10m |
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 07:46, sunset 18:07. Start by 13:42 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 13:40 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Calf Crag summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 10 mph gusting 15 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07.
-
Good Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 11°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 19 mph gusting 25 mph, 31% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
Best day of the next seven for Grasmere via Far Easedale: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 15 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Calf Crag forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
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 Calf Crag
Calf Crag is the end of the ridge from Helm Crag above Grasmere, the turning point of a classic round of Far Easedale. More about Calf Crag, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Tarn Crag (549 m), 1.1 km south
- Gibson Knott (420 m), 1.6 km east
- Codale Head (732 m), 1.8 km south-west
- Steel Fell (553 m), 1.9 km north-east
- Ullscarf (723 m), 2 km north-west
- Sergeant Man (736 m), 2.1 km south-west
Challenges that include Calf Crag
More walks from Grasmere village
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up Blea Rigg
- Grasmere via Stone Arthur up Fairfield
- Grasmere over Helm Crag up Gibson Knott
- Grasmere via Stone Arthur up Great Rigg
- Grasmere via Easedale Road up Helm Crag
- Grasmere via Alcock Tarn up Heron Pike
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up High Raise
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up Sergeant Man
- Greenburn horseshoe from Grasmere up Steel Fell
- Grasmere via Greenhead Gill up Stone Arthur
- Grasmere via Easedale Tarn up Tarn Crag
- Grasmere via Stone Arthur up Heron Pike North Top
Other routes up Calf Crag
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grasmere via Helm Crag and Gibson Knott | 6.0 km one way | 488 m | 2h 0m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 336 075, the summit at NY301104), 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.
Grasmere via Far Easedale: questions and answers
How far is Grasmere via Far Easedale?
Grasmere via Far Easedale is 6.5 km one way to the summit of Calf Crag, with 470 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 13.0 km.
How long does Grasmere via Far Easedale take?
About 2h 5m to the summit of Calf Crag and 3h 25m 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 10m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Grasmere via Far Easedale?
Grasmere via Far Easedale starts from Grasmere village. The grid reference is NY 336 075.
Is Grasmere via Far Easedale 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 Grasmere via Far Easedale today?
By 13:42 at the latest. Sunset on Calf Crag today is 18:07, Grasmere via Far Easedale takes about 3h 25m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Grasmere via Far Easedale?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).