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Black Crag from The Drunken Duck Inn

2 mins read
Wainwright Black Crag near Skelwith Fold
Black Crag Wainwright - Family friendly walks in the Lake District

This little Wainwright of 322 metres in height, is suitable for families with budding little walkers who are keen to bag some of the easier Wainwrights. The perfect hill for children to climb.

Start of black crag walk
Start of public footpath and walk up Black Crag

Parking

Parking is in a lay-by around the corner from the Drunken Duck on the road to Skelwith, in an area known as Barngates. The start of the walk is 500 metres down the road, through a gate and up through Pullscar Plantation. 

Squirrel spotting

The start of the path runs through some mature woods, where, if lucky, you might see a squirrel, even luckier still, a red squirrel. There have been sightings of red squirrels in the local area recently. 

The most challenging part

Continuing on, winding up through a plantation of immature trees, the path becomes more complex in incline and with large loose rocks underfoot. This is the most challenging part of the walk, especially with children who don’t always watch their footing. 

Catch some views

Soon, the gradient eases slightly, and the path becomes more forgiving and grassy. The view opens up down to Ambleside on your right with a glistening Lake Windermere tip. Buzzards soar overhead, catching thermals until they get eyes on their target below. 

Over the top

You soon come to a gate and a stile; there’s a large cairn in the distance. Don’t be fooled; this isn’t the top; you will see the trig point from here, though. Once at the trig point, on a nice day, you will have 360-degree views of Windermere to the east, Tarn Hows to the south with Coniston Old Man behind, Loughrigg in the north and The Langdales to the west. 

Black Crag summit
Black Crag summit

Heading down the same way you came, the walk should take up to 2.5 hours for those with little legs and a total of 2.5 miles. Perfect for a mini mountaineer.