23 August 2023

Dove Crag and Hart Crag via Stand Crags

A long promised (for 15 years) 15km walk with Peter Lucas.

Route: leaving the car in a lay-by on the east side of the A592 100m north of the Brotherswater Inn and walking south on the path under the road to the pub and then through the campsite and across the valley turning left on a path rising into Dovedale. After a while, crossing the stream and beginning to climb. After the corner of a wall, continuing further on and turning steeply uphill short of a footbridge to gain the ridge line, pathless and through manageable bracken. Continuing along the broken ridge overlooking the valley to the left and then at the end walking uphill with a chasm to the left. Turning left to cross a stream and then, pathless again, gaining the top of the continuation of the earlier ridge to reach the clear path up from Scandale Pass. Up this to Dove Crag, then Hart Crag then descending Hartsop above How taking a rough and, sadly, very loose path to the right steeply down to the Brotherswater car park and then along a path to the west of the tarn to meet the outward path. 

Conditions: surprisingly warm and dry and much sun.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, for Mystic Jester Simcoe Mosaic.