Raven Crag

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Raven Crag
Raven Crag and Thirlmere seen from Castle Crag 300 metres to the north west.
Elevation	461 m (1,512 ft)
Location	Cumbria, England
Range	Lake District
Prominence	c. 45 m
Topo map	OS Explorer OL4
OS grid reference	NY304188
Listing	Wainwright

Raven Crag is a fell in the English Lake District. It acts as a superb vantage point for, and backdrop to, views across Thirlmere reservoir.

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 ft) and Castle Crag (1,381 ft), 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.

The main face of the fell stands over Thirlmere Dam, and appears from there as a sheer 500 ft 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. The ridge between Raven Crag and High Tove can also be gained from Armboth, or an ascent can be made from 'behind' via Shoulthwaite. This can include visits to The Benn and the earth ramparts of Castle Crag.

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 Benn provides a close-up view of Raven Crag from the north.