Raven Crag is a fell and a Wainwright in the Lake District National Park. It’s not a tall fell, but don’t let that put you off. Sitting at a height of 461 metres (1512 feet) above sea level, the views are just incredible. To get the best views of Thirlmere Reservoir, this is the one to do!
The walk-up Raven Crag is only short but steep. The correct footwear is essential otherwise you will be coming down on your bum! You can start this walk at the bottom of the fell, in the little car park. We decided to start it further down the road and incorporate a lovely walk around part of Thirlmere into the route.
There are a few different choices of routes you can take, depending on how far you want to walk. You can start the route where we did. Or you can cut it shorter, and park in Armboth car park further down the road. If you want to just climb the fell, Raven Crag, and miss out on the walk along the reservoir, the walk will be around 2 miles long. If you decided to do the full circuit we did, it’s just over 6.5 miles to walk. If you decide to start the walk from Armboth car park, the walk will be somewhere around 5 miles long.
Location
Raven Crag is part of the Lake District’s central fells. It’s located just 5 miles south from Keswick, next to Thirlmere Reservoir. At the summit on a clear day, you can see some of the Lake District’s tallest fells: Helvellyn, Skiddaw, and Blencathra.
Parking
Depending on where you are planning to start the walk from, depends on where you want to park. If you are planning on doing the full route we walked, there is a little layby area that you can park in for free. If you want to walk along Thirlmere Reservoir, but at a slightly shorter distance, you can park in the pay and display Armboth car park. If you just want to climb Raven Crag and miss out on the walk along the reservoir, there is a little pay-and-display car park at the bottom of Raven Crag, next to Thirlmere Dam.
The Route
Follow this map, as you walk the route, and you shouldn’t get lost! Make sure your location is turned on and you should be able to see exactly where you are, on this map. Or if you prefer, download the GPX file and use it on your choice of route tracker.
If you only want to climb Raven Crag and miss out on Thirlmere Reservoir, start at point 3. If you are starting the walk from Armboth car park, start at point 2.
1.
Starting in the layby, cross the road and head through the gate down towards Thirlmere Reservoir. Follow the path along the edge of the reservoir, towards Armboth car park.
2.
Walkthrough Armboth car park and follow the path through the woods, along the edge of the reservoir, towards the dam. As you reach the car park for Raven Crag, you can turn towards your right-hand side and have a little walk along the dam before heading up Raven Crag.
3.
From Raven Crag car park, walk north along the road for a short distance. Very shortly you should see a path going off to your left-hand side, leading you up the hillside. You have two choices: you can take the short, but steep path up, which is this one. Or you can walk a little further down the road and take the slightly wider track up, which is longer but not as steep.
We took the short, steep path up, and walked down on some of the wider track coming down.
4.
Follow your preferred choice of path to the summit. It is only a short climb. Near the summit, there are steps and a boardwalk leading you to the summit top. At the summit, you will be greeted with one of the most rewarding views ever!
5.
Once you have finished admiring the views at the summit, retrace your steps back down off the fell. Again choose the route down you prefer. As we got off the fell and back onto the road, we decided to follow the road back to our van instead of the lakeside path, as it was quicker. We needed to get back to our van, as we had a long drive home ahead of us.
It’s your choice which route to take back! Both the road and lakeside path will lead you back to Armboth car park if you have chosen to park your car there and not the layby.
Enjoyed this walk? Why not have a go at one of my other favourites in the Lake District: Lake District National Park
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