Lank Rigg, Caw Fell, Crag Fell & Grike

Saturday 14th August 2021

Lank Rigg, Caw Fell, Crag Fell & Grike

My initial intent for today was to walk via Grike, Crag Fell and Lank Rigg. But at the last minute I decided to do it anti-clockwise - a way I haven't done it. Then half way round I added in Caw Fell, so a relatively easy walk became a bit more challenging.

The downside was that the walk now included a couple of 'out and backs' which I normally try and avoid, but hey - it was still a very enjoyable day out in an exceptionally quiet area of the Western Lakes.

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Distance: 14.3 miles

Duration: 6:00 hours

Ascent: 3159 ft

Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

Accompanied By: On my Own

Weather: Dry & Fine

Wainwrights Visited

Caw Fell Crag Fell Grike Lank Rigg

3D outline of route

Parking

Parked up alongside the fell road (Heckbarley Forestry track) just outside of Ennerdale Bridge. Always a good place to start as you can never fail to find a spot to leave your car.

As I wander along the Fell Road, there are pleasant view over to the West coast with Flat Fell, Dent and Lowther Park all on show. The Nannycatch Valley is in between too with it's well walked path from St Bees.

Ah, my left turn into the very quiet countryside

First climb today will be Lank Rigg - Here on the right. But the path goes in between Whoap (centre) and Lank Rigg itself with a right turn at the col in between the two.

The meandering River Calder at Lankrigg Moss

Heading for the col

You can just make out the gentle path heading up diagonally from left to right

A stop for a breather and a look back down the valley

Lank Rigg summit. It was only half past eleven - My plan was to head back via Crag Fell & Grike. But that would probably only be another couple of hours - So I decided to change plans again and head out towards Caw Fell much further South and make a day of it.

A brief view of Sellafield from the summits westernmost cairn.

Roughly following the dry stone wall - good views can be had of the High Stile Ridge and also further on, Pillar, Steeple and Scoat Fell

The long "broadly buttressed sprawling uncorseted graceless lump with a vast flattened summit similarly devoid of a single distinguishing landmark" AW. Welcome to Caw Fell

But on the left is a much more dramatic skyline

A down and up before the plateau is reached

Caw Fell summit

Lunch with a view as I head back towards Ennerdale

Grike and Crag fell - Next two to visit

This used to be a wooded area - quite tricky to navigate through and negotiate the extremely boggy spots. It's all been felled and consequently is much dryer - Plus you can see very easy routes through. Two minutes and you are on the path on the other side, far easier than before but pretty grim on the eyes to be fair.

A bit of a long way to the top of Crag fell having missed the small path at the base of the southern side

Seems strange - I intended to do a walk in Ennerdale today and this is the first actual view of Ennerdale (Water) today - and its almost Kick Off time !