Raven Crag
| Raven Crag | |||
| Cumberland | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Raven Crag and Thirlmere from Castle Crag | |||
| Range: | Lake District Central Fells | ||
| Summit: | 1,512 feet NY304188 54°33’35"N, 3°4’40"W | ||
Raven Crag is a fell in the Lake District's Central Fells. It is within Cumberland and acts as a superb vantage point for, and backdrop to, views across Thirlmere reservoir.
Landscape
The fell is the high point on a 2 mile long spur running up the western shore of Thirlmere, branching off from the main ridge of the central fells just east of High Tove. Subsidiary tops include The Benn (also known as Benn Man, 1,463 feet) and Castle Crag (1,381 feet), the site of an iron-age settlement. The ridge has been extensively planted with conifers as part of the Thirlmere Forest, the face of Raven Crag appearing as a lone oasis of naked rock amid the trees.
Raven Crag is bordered to the west by the long valley of Shoulthwaite Gill, which is a tributary of the River Greta. To the north the ridge drops to a depression, crossed by the Keswick - Ambleside road, before climbing again onto High Rigg.
Geology
Raven Crag and the Benn exhibit rock of the Birker Fell Formation, composed of plagioclase-phyric andesite lavas with subordinate sills. Between the two is an area of garnet bearing porphyritic andesite. Castle Crag Fort overlays volcaniclastic sandstone.[1]
Ascents
The main face of the fell stands over Thirlmere Dam, and appears from there as a sheer 500-foot crag, the higher fells behind being hidden by the ridge. Raven Crag is most commonly climbed from the dam, via a steep waymarked path through the forestry. This ends with made paths and some short sections of boardwalk. The ridge between Raven Crag and High Tove can also be gained from Armboth, or an ascent can be made from 'behind' by way of Shoulthwaite. This can include visits to The Benn and the earth ramparts of Castle Crag.[2][3]
Summit
The highest point is an outcrop of rock with a small cairn, partially screened by conifers. The view from the summit is limited by the trees, but the eastward panorama opens up from the brink of the crag itself and there is an aerial view of the Thirlmere dam. The reservoir is also seen end on to the south. The Benn and Castle Crag provide a close-up view of Raven Crag from the north.[2][3]
