Stair via Causey Pike and Sail 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.
Walk the long ridge from Causey Pike over Scar Crags and Sail, finishing on a short rocky ridge to the top.
Stair via Causey Pike and Sail at a glance
| Distance | 5.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 854 m |
| Time up | 2h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Stair (Newlands valley) |
| Start grid reference | NY 235 210 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 192 203 |
Stair via Causey Pike and Sail 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Stair via Causey Pike and Sail takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 3h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 4h 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.
- Today: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 13:21 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 13:18 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Crag Hill summit weather for this route
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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 Stair via Causey Pike and Sail: 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 Stair
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Stair via Barrow Door up Barrow
- Stair via Rowling End up Causey Pike
- Stair via Sail Pass up Sail
- Stair over Causey Pike up Scar Crags
Other routes up Crag Hill
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braithwaite via Coledale Hause | 6.4 km one way | — | — | Moderate |
| Lanthwaite via Gasgale Gill and Coledale Hause | 6.7 km one way | 800 m | 2h 40m | Hard |
| 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 235 210, 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.
Stair via Causey Pike and Sail: questions and answers
How far is Stair via Causey Pike and Sail?
Stair via Causey Pike and Sail is 5.8 km one way to the summit of Crag Hill, with 854 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.6 km.
How long does Stair via Causey Pike and Sail take?
About 2h 35m to the summit of Crag Hill and 3h 45m 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 35m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Stair via Causey Pike and Sail?
Stair via Causey Pike and Sail starts from Stair (Newlands valley). The grid reference is NY 235 210.
Is Stair via Causey Pike and Sail 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 Stair via Causey Pike and Sail today?
By 13:21 at the latest. Sunset on Crag Hill today is 18:06, Stair via Causey Pike and Sail takes about 3h 45m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Stair via Causey Pike and Sail?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).