Honister Crag

Hill, Mountain in Cumberland Allerdale

England

Honister Crag

Crags on Hindscarth Edge Leaving Dale Head. — Crags on Hindscarth Edge Credit: steven ruffles

Honister Crag is a prominent hill located in the county of Cumberland, in the northwestern region of England. Standing at an elevation of 356 meters (1,168 feet), it is considered a popular destination for hill walkers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Honister Crag offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including the nearby Buttermere and Crummock Water lakes. The crag is part of a larger range of fells known as the Western Fells, which also includes renowned peaks such as Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks.

The terrain of Honister Crag is characterized by rugged and rocky slopes, making it a challenging yet rewarding climb. The ascent can be approached from various directions, with the most popular route starting from the Honister Pass, a mountain pass that connects the valleys of Buttermere and Borrowdale.

Honister Crag is also notable for its historic significance. The hill is home to Honister Slate Mine, one of the few remaining operational slate mines in England. The mine has been in operation for over 300 years and offers guided underground tours, allowing visitors to learn about the history and process of slate mining.

Overall, Honister Crag is a picturesque and captivating destination that showcases the natural beauty and geological heritage of the Lake District. Whether it's for hiking, sightseeing, or exploring the slate mine, this hill provides an immersive and memorable experience for all who visit.

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Honister Crag Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.516585/-3.218044 or Grid Reference NY2114. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Crags on Hindscarth Edge

Leaving Dale Head.

steven ruffles

A Frosty Dub's Hut in the Sunset

This ex-quarry building is now maintained as a basic hiking shelter by volunteers of the Mountain Bothies Association with permission of the landowners.

Booga

Warnscale Head Bothy

Maintained by volunteers of the Mountain Bothies Association with permission of the landowner. This small hiking shelter is made from local stone and so blends in well with its surroundings.

Booga

Innominate Tarn with knolls beyond

Innominate Tarn's western end in-filling with vegetation. The central knoll rises to 545 metres; Kirk Fell is beyond it, in the distance.

Trevor Littlewood

Path connecting Innominate Tarn with Blackbeck Tarn.

The path passes along the north side of Innominate Tarn, continuing above the steep rocky downfall to the north to reach the outflow at the northern end of Blackbeck Tarn. Fleetwith Pike is the main mountain in the image, the other obvious top is Green Crag.

Trevor Littlewood

Perched boulder on rock slabs

The boulder is in rough, complex hill country south of Blackbeck Tarn. Grey Knotts and Brandreth are two mountain tops on the horizon beyond.

Trevor Littlewood

Rough country between Blackbeck Tarn and Innominate Tarn

The ground in view is some of the little-frequented wild country between the two tarns and extending towards Haystacks and Great Round How. The rocky knoll at the right side of the image rises to 545 m. and is unnamed on OS Maps. Pillar is the distant mountain, it's on the far side of Ennerdale.

Trevor Littlewood

Path descending to cross cleft between mountains

The path on a shelf below crags is descending to cross the stream which issues from Blackbeck Tarn in the cleft before rising again to the camera location. Haystacks is the mountain across the void.

Trevor Littlewood

Striddle Crag of Fleetwith Pike

The crag is beyond the two walkers along the path which is close to Little Round How.

Trevor Littlewood

Base of Drum House

The Drum House was the location of winding equipment - presumably a large-diameter, vertically mounted drum around which a cable was wound by its rotation. Trucks were hauled along the causeway which is seen reaching the base and also presumably, lowered to Honister Pass. The route to and from the location is now in use as a path.

Trevor Littlewood

Knolls on slope above Honister Pass

The knolls are on the north side of a disused tramway which operated at the Honister Quarry and is now in use as a footpath. Honister Pass lies beyond the knolls with Dale Head on its far side.

Trevor Littlewood

Innominate Tarn, Haystacks, Lake District

Wainwright's ashes were scattered by his wife, Betty, near the shores of Innominate Tarn.

Brian Deegan

Warnscale Head Bothy, Lake District

Lovely bothy with a remarkable view.

Brian Deegan

Heading for Haystacks from Gatesgarth

Andy Waddington

Trying to keep dry feet, heading for Haystacks from Gatesgarth

Even midweek in October, one has to be up fairly early to get a parking space at Gatesgarth if you are in a large van, so the ascent starts out in deep shade whilst the low morning sun illuminates the slopes of our destination. This turned out to be a splendid sunlit day between a pair of dreich ones, followed by gales two days later. It definitely pays to be in the right place when the weather comes good.

Andy Waddington