Grike & Crag Fell - Tuesday 7 April 2026
Route
Scarny Brow - Heckbarley - Grike - Crag Fell - Revelin Crag - Broadmoor - Ennerdale Bridge - Scarny Brow
Parking
South of the village of Ennerdale Bridge at Scarny Brow where there is room for several cars both before and after the cattle grid. If parking north of the cattle grid then please do so sensibly and not block the access gate to Heckbarley. The Grid Reference is NY 06179 14406 and the nearest postcode is CA23 3AH.
Mileage
6.7 miles
Terrain
Forest tracks and good mountain paths
Weather
Glorious with some strong winds at the start however these died down later
Time Taken
3hrs 50mins
Total Ascent
1618ft (493m)
Wainwrights
2
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Robbie
Scarny Brow - Heckbarley - Grike - Crag Fell - Revelin Crag - Broadmoor - Ennerdale Bridge - Scarny Brow
Parking
South of the village of Ennerdale Bridge at Scarny Brow where there is room for several cars both before and after the cattle grid. If parking north of the cattle grid then please do so sensibly and not block the access gate to Heckbarley. The Grid Reference is NY 06179 14406 and the nearest postcode is CA23 3AH.
Mileage
6.7 miles
Terrain
Forest tracks and good mountain paths
Weather
Glorious with some strong winds at the start however these died down later
Time Taken
3hrs 50mins
Total Ascent
1618ft (493m)
Wainwrights
2
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Robbie
GPX Files
From 1 March 2025 GPX files will not be available directly from the walk page as there is difficulty in using a downloadable version from the website. To that end, if you require a GPX File please get in touch via the Contact Form below and we will gladly forward it to you - thank you.
From 1 March 2025 GPX files will not be available directly from the walk page as there is difficulty in using a downloadable version from the website. To that end, if you require a GPX File please get in touch via the Contact Form below and we will gladly forward it to you - thank you.
Route Map
The parking area at Scarny Brow by the entrance to Heckbarley. Cars can be parked sensibly either side of the cattle grid.
From the Car Park the route enters Heckbarley and heads along a wide forest track
The track through Heckbarley twists and turns as it makes its way through the forest
At Grid Reference NY 07354 14040 the route reaches a junction - it is necessary to keep right here as the path to the left just peters out
Shortly after the right hand turning, at Grid Reference NY 07397 13825 the route reaches another path junction. To the left are two paths that head off in the same direction (east) however to reach the turn off for Grike, the left of the two paths is the one you must take. This is the road to the disused iron ore mine near Red Beck below the eastern slopes of Crag Fell.
This was Robbie’s first proper walk in this area - I think he was looking forward to it
Heading along the old mine road beside Red Moss with Grike now in view ahead
At Grid Reference NY 08111 14013 a stile to the left is crossed which heads up the western slopes of Grike
Looking back to the stile with Blakeley Raise beyond and Dent to the right as we start the ascent to Grike’s summit
Looks like there is a UFO about to land on Lank Rigg
Approaching the fence line just below Grike’s summit
Another view looking back to Red Moss as we continue to climb
Robbie at the fence line - once crossed the summit is an easy 100 yards away
The summit of Grike - the highest point of the fell is the stone wind shelter to the rear. The shelter is an ancient tumulus which has been hollowed out.
Angie & Robbie on the summit of Grike
Looking to Knock Murton, Sharp Knott, Blake Fell & Gavel Fell from Grike with Ennerdale Water in the foreground
From Grike the route drops down into a large grassy depression, the middle of which can get very boggy after rain. Crag Fell is to the left with High Stile & High Crag beyond. Over to the right are Pillar, Steeple, Scoat Fell & Haycock with Iron Crag in the right foreground.
Looking back to Grike as we start the ascent of Crag Fell
The summit of Crag Fell looking to Bowness Knott, Herdus & Great Borne
A superb panorama down Ennerdale Water from Crag Fell
With Robbie near the summit of Crag Fell - what a view down Ennerdale you get from this point
From Crag Fell’s summit it is worth walking 140 yards to the south east over to the 522m spot height
Robbie approaching the 522m spot height
It is safe to say that Robbie loves his days on the fells
The cairn at the 522m spot height which can be found at Grid Reference NY 09834 14323
The view from the 522m spot height (Click Play to view)
The view over Ennerdale Water to Bowness Knott in the foreground with Herdus & Great Borne beyond
Looking to the north western end of Ennerdale Water
From the 522m spot height it was time to wander back to the summit - as you can see, Robbie was already there
Can anybody spot Robbie?
Time to break out Walshy’s Kitchen just below the summit of Crag Fell. On the menu today were Sausage & Egg Flatbreads. Robbie beseeches his Mum with the big eyes and the “isn’t Dad a real tight arse when it comes to giving me some Sausage” look.
Looking back to Crag Fell’s summit as we make our way to the top of Revelin Crag to begin our descent
Ennerdale Water from Revelin Crag
On Revelin Crag with Scotland clearly in view across the Solway Firth - the mountain to the distant right is Criffel
The route reaches an old fence post - from here the gradient steepens markedly therefore after rain simply take your time over the wet grass
The steep descent down to Ben Gill which can be seen coming in from the left. The village right of centre is Ennerdale Bridge.
Reaching the ravine of Ben Gill, the gradient eases
Crossing Ben Gill
After crossing Ben Gill the route heads along a heathery terrace
The final part of the descent to reach the valley floor and the access track near Crag Farm House
Lots of forestry activity as we reach the forest track at Grid Reference NY 08133 15032. Our route continued down a path which starts just behind Robbie at the wall corner.
The path heading away from the wall corner which leads to the site of the former mill
Crossing the footbridge over the River Ehen
Robbie on the footbridge - much to his dismay there was no way he could safely access the river
The River Ehen from the footbridge - the river runs from Ennerdale Water and discharges into the Irish Sea at Sellafield
The site of the former Ennerdale Mill adjacent to the River Ehen. The mill was originally built over 250 years ago however both the mill and the weir used to provide power have been demolished. The weir became a structural safety hazard and blocked the upstream and downstream migration of Atlantic salmon and other fish species. It was finally removed in and around 2018.
The newly erected tall building in the centre of shot is a combined Invertebrate & Bat Roost.
The newly erected tall building in the centre of shot is a combined Invertebrate & Bat Roost.
Further on from the site of the mill the route passes Grike Cottage
As we near Ennerdale Bridge, the route passes the western entrance to the Broadmoor Plantation
Arriving in Ennerdale Bridge - wonder if one of the pubs is open??
St Mary’s Church in Ennerdale Bridge
Whey hey, The Fox & Hounds in Ennerdale Bridge was well and truly open. Angie & Robbie waited here whilst I walked the final mile up to Scarny Brow to collect our car.
Heading for Scarny Brow along the Coast to Coast Path
A tired pooch - proof that Robbie had an excellent day