Crinkle Crags

Starting from Great Langdale, I headed up into the fells towards Crinkle Crags.

Crinkle Crags forms part of two major rings of mountains surrounding the valleys of Great Langdale and Upper Eskdale. The name comes from the distinctive shape of its summit ridge, which rises and falls through a series of five rocky summits and depressions, or ‘crinkles’, that are particularly striking when viewed from the valley below. The name is thought to derive from the Old English cringol, meaning twisted or wrinkled.

The summit ridge offers impressive views in every direction, taking in Great Langdale, Eskdale and Dunnerdale. Looking north-west, there is also a view of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, just four kilometres away.

This was a tough hike, with plenty of steep climbs and descents along the ridge, as well as several sections of hands-on rock scrambling. It was hard work, but the views and the character of the ridge made it well worth the effort.