Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause up Crag Hill: route map, distance and time
839 m · Cumbria
Crag Hill is the highest point of the Coledale fells, a rocky summit with a trig point at the hub of ridges between Braithwaite and Buttermere.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park.
Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause starts at about 98 m and gains 788 m over 6.6 km to 822 m on the track. The first 4 km are the easy part, averaging 7%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6 km, which climbs 200 m at an average of 20%, with a 500 m stretch from 5.7 km at about 33%. It keeps climbing at 18% to the top. About 20% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause at a glance
| Distance | 6.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 800 m |
| Climb on the track | 788 m up, 68 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 98 m to 822 m (summit 839 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 33%, from 5.7 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 20% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park, CA13 0RT |
| Start grid reference | NY 148 214 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 192 203 |
| Parking | Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park |
Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause 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 Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause 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.
Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause 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 | 118 m | +20 m | 2% | NY 155 218 |
| 2 km | 180 m | +62 m | 6% | NY 161 216 |
| 3 km | 287 m | +107 m | 11% | NY 166 211 |
| 4 km | 379 m | +92 m | 9% | NY 174 215 |
| 5 km | 504 m | +125 m | 12% | NY 184 213 |
| 6 km | 703 m | +200 m | 20% steep | NY 189 208 |
| 6.6 km | 822 m | +119 m | 18% | NY 192 203 |
How long Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 4h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 15m | 4h 55m |
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 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 13:06 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 13:03 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Crag Hill summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 34 mph gusting 43 mph, 49% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Dense drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 26 mph gusting 32 mph, 86% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause: Thursday 22 October, with summit gusts around 29 mph and a 75% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Crag Hill forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Crag Hill?
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 -2°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 49% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 43 mph.
- 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 Crag Hill
Crag Hill is the highest point of the Coledale fells, a rocky summit with a trig point at the hub of ridges between Braithwaite and Buttermere. More about Crag Hill, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Sail (773 m), 0.5 km east
- Wandope (774 m), 0.8 km south-west
- Ard Crags (581 m), 1.5 km east
- Knott Rigg (556 m), 1.5 km south
- Sand Hill (756 m), 1.6 km north
- Scar Crags (672 m), 1.6 km east
Challenges that include Crag Hill
More walks from Lanthwaite Wood 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.
- Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause up Grasmoor
- Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge up Grisedale Pike
- Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge up Hopegill Head
- Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause up Sail
- Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause up Wandope
- Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge up Whiteside
- Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause up Sand Hill
- Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge up Hobcarton Crag
- Lanthwaite via Whiteside ridge up Whiteside East Top
Other routes up Crag Hill
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braithwaite via Coledale Hause | 6.4 km one way | — | — | Moderate |
| Stair via Causey Pike and Sail | 5.8 km one way | 854 m | 2h 35m | Moderate |
| Buttermere via Whiteless Pike | 4.7 km one way | 750 m | 2h 10m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 148 214, the summit at NY 192 203), 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.
Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause: questions and answers
How far is Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause?
Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause is 6.7 km one way to the summit of Crag Hill, with 800 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 13.4 km.
How long does Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause take?
About 2h 40m to the summit of Crag Hill and 4h 0m 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 55m for the round trip.
How steep is Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause?
The steepest 500 m averages about 33%, starting 5.7 km from the start, and 20% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause climbs 788 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause?
Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause starts from Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park (postcode CA13 0RT). The grid reference is NY 148 214. Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park
Is Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause 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 Braithwaite via Coledale Hause.
What time should I start Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause today?
By 13:06 at the latest. Sunset on Crag Hill today is 18:06, Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause takes about 4h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause?
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.