Watendlath via Dock Tarn up Great Crag: route map, distance and time
449 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY270146
Great Crag is a 449 m rough, knobbly fell between Stonethwaite and Watendlath in Borrowdale, close to Dock Tarn and its heather moor.
Follow the path south from Watendlath across the moor to Dock Tarn and then to the summit.
Watendlath via Dock Tarn at a glance
| Distance | 3.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 194 m |
| Time up | 0h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Watendlath (National Trust car park) |
| Start grid reference | NY 275 163 |
| Summit grid reference | NY270146 |
Watendlath via Dock Tarn 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 Watendlath via Dock Tarn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 45m | 1h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 0h 55m | 1h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 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 18:05. Start by 15:30 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 15:28 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Great Crag summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Great Crag right now. The main Great Crag page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Great Crag forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Great Crag
Great Crag is a 449 m rough, knobbly fell between Stonethwaite and Watendlath in Borrowdale, close to Dock Tarn and its heather moor. More about Great Crag, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Grange Fell (417 m), 1.7 km north
- Low Saddle (656 m), 2.3 km south-east
- Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot (551 m), 2.5 km south-west
- Eagle Crag (523 m), 2.6 km south
- High Tove (515 m), 2.6 km north-east
- Armboth Fell (475 m), 2.8 km north-east
Challenges that include Great Crag
More walks from Watendlath
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Watendlath via High Tove up High Seat
- Watendlath bridleway up High Tove
Other routes up Great Crag
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stonethwaite via Dock Tarn | 2.7 km one way | 349 m | 1h 5m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 275 163, the summit at NY270146), 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.
Watendlath via Dock Tarn: questions and answers
How far is Watendlath via Dock Tarn?
Watendlath via Dock Tarn is 3.1 km one way to the summit of Great Crag, with 194 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.2 km.
How long does Watendlath via Dock Tarn take?
About 0h 55m to the summit of Great Crag and 1h 35m 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 1h 55m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Watendlath via Dock Tarn?
Watendlath via Dock Tarn starts from Watendlath (National Trust car park). The grid reference is NY 275 163.
Is Watendlath via Dock Tarn 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 Watendlath via Dock Tarn today?
By 15:30 at the latest. Sunset on Great Crag today is 18:05, Watendlath via Dock Tarn takes about 1h 35m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Watendlath via Dock Tarn?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).