Home / Routes / Scar Crags, Causey Pike

Written and walked by Lee McCoy · Walked in part, May 2026 · Route guide updated 24 October 2026 · 171 of 214 Wainwrights with a Strava-matched summit

Severe steepnessLoopWalked in part

Scar Crags, Causey Pike

12.16 km

Distance

~3¾–5¼ h

Typical time

~848 m

Ascent

Summits

Barrow, Outerside, Scar Crags, Causey Pike and Rowling End above Newlands — five tops in 12.2 km with 848 m of climbing. Hard for terrain, navigation and exposure, severe for steepness; about 3¾–5¼ hours.

Start Braithwaite village (roadside/small areas)

Getting here Parking: Braithwaite village (roadside/small areas), 0.1 km from the start (straight line). Bus: the 77 and X5 stop at Braithwaite, at Croft Terrace, a 10 m walk from this start. Getting there ↓ · Route map ↓

Hardest part Severe steepness: Steepest sustained descent about 42% around the 8.5 km mark. Hands for a few steps: Causey Pike's top, up and down (km 5.9–8.2).

Before you choose

Leaving Causey Pike's summit is a short, steep downclimb over polished rock steps, slick in rain or ice. Take your time and face the rock if you need to.
The grassy drop off Rowling End is very steep and a slip hazard when wet.
The finish is along a narrow lane through the Newlands Valley, where cars can appear suddenly round blind, walled corners.

Walked in part — Lee walked this ground in May 2026; km 2.9–3.4, km 4.4–5.2, km 7.2–11.8 of this line are from the map. A route line is a suggestion, not a guarantee — conditions change. Navigate independently and carry a map & compass. How to use this guide.

Download GPX →Walked in part · km 2.9–3.4, km 4.4–5.2, km 7.2–11.8 from the map

Conditions on this route

We score every Lakeland Wainwright each morning on cloud, wind, rain and underfoot, and this route crosses 4 of them. The worst summit governs the verdict — a route is only as kind as its roughest top.

Hardest partHands for a few steps

Modelled guidance — not a substitute for the mountain forecast or your own judgement. See how every fell ranks today →

Daylight & turnaround

By bus: the Honister Rambler (77/77A) (opens in new tab) reaches Braithwaite at 09:47 and the last one back leaves from Braithwaite, at Croft Terrace at 17:37, Tuesday to Sunday only. At a steady pace this walk finishes about 14:48. Be off Rowling End by 14:22, to be down at least an hour before dusk on 1 November; that is earlier than the last bus needs. The last bus is from the operator’s timetable, checked 24 September 2026; that timetable runs to 1 November. Check the timetable before you rely on it.

Daylight is short from October to February — check today’s sunrise and sunset before you set off, and carry a head-torch and spare batteries. On short days, decide your turn-back time before you start.

Route map

OpenTopoMap

Elevation profile, shaded by steepness

1 Barrow2 Outerside3 Scar Crags4 Causey Pike5 Rowling End

Easy 61%Moderate 21%Hard 15%Severe 4%

668 m

High point

82 m

Start height

Heights on this chart and its high point are read from the track itself (a terrain model sampled along the line, or a GPS recording), so a top can differ from its listed height, usually reading lower.

Free mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap, with SRTM elevation data (switch layers top-right).

The elevation profile is under the map; the stage notes follow.

The walk, stage by stage

1
Start → Barrow (2.2 km, 367 m)
Climb of about 367 m over 2.2 km (around 17% average).
From Braithwaite the route climbs the farm track behind Braithwaite Lodge, then cuts onto the open fell. The climb up the spine of Barrow is direct and persistent: a long, grassy, heather-clad ridge and a steadily rising warm-up. The path is well-defined and climbs relentlessly, without the rocky steps of the higher fells.
Waypoints
Braithwaite: The valley-bottom starting point. Braithwaite Lodge: The farm marking the transition from village tarmac to fell track. Barrow Summit (455m): The modest, heathery summit at the end of the first ridge climb, with views into the Coledale horseshoe.
Decision point
Barrow Gill: The ravine of Barrow Gill runs parallel to your right (west). Keep it on your right hand side to ensure you stay on the ridge spine.
Easy to get wrong
Summer Bracken: The lower slopes of Barrow are smothered in dense bracken in summer. Stick to the main trod: pushing through it is exhausting and increases the risk of tick bites. False Summits: The ridge bows slightly, giving a few false horizons on the way up.
If you need to get off
Turn around and walk back down the grassy ridge. The ridge leads you back down to the village.
2
Barrow → Outerside (1.9 km, 188 m)
Descent of about 75 m, then a climb of about 188 m, over 1.9 km.
From Barrow the path drops south-west into the wide, heather-filled saddle of Barrow Door, then climbs the eastern flank of Outerside through thick heather and blueberry bushes to its neat, compact summit.
Waypoints
Barrow Door (approx. 390m): The distinct col separating Barrow from Outerside. Outerside Summit (568m): A rocky little peak, fairly isolated between the ridges of Coledale and Causey Pike.
Decision point
Line of Sight: Outerside is clearly visible ahead; in clear weather, aim for the highest point. Coledale Track: In mist, keep the wide, flat floor of the Coledale valley below you on your right.
Easy to get wrong
Boggy Col: Barrow Door can be a swamp after heavy rain, and the path braids as walkers look for drier ground. Heather Braiding: On the climb up Outerside the path splits into minor sheep trods through the heather. They all head up, but some are rougher than others.
If you need to get off
From the col at Barrow Door, you can bail right, dropping down a grassy path to intercept the main Coledale mine track, which provides a wide, flat walk back to Braithwaite.
3
Outerside → Scar Crags (1.8 km, 204 m)
Descent of about 92 m, then a climb of about 204 m, over 1.8 km.
From Outerside the route drops south-west into the notoriously wet saddle at High Moss, near Sail Pass. From this boggy depression the real mountain work begins: the steep climb up the side of the main ridge to reach Scar Crags, from squelchy peat to loose scree and shattered rock as you gain the crest.
Waypoints
High Moss: The sprawling, boggy depression between Outerside and the main ridge. Scar Crags Summit (672m): A spectacular, airy summit on the main ridge line, featuring a sheer drop to the south.
Decision point
The Ridge Line: Once you reach the crest, the navigation becomes straightforward in clear weather. The ridge itself is your handrail.
Easy to get wrong
The High Moss Bog: An unavoidable sponge. Expect wet boots; skirting the worst of the peat hags is tedious. Steep Pull to the Ridge: The ascent out of the saddle is steep and loose, a sharp shock to the lungs after Barrow and Outerside. Crag Edges: Once on Scar Crags, the southern side (to your right as you head east towards Causey Pike) is a series of sheer, fatal drops. Do not attempt to bail off either side of the summit of Scar Crags.
If you need to get off
Retreat: If you don't want to tackle the high ridge, drop down from High Moss heading east towards Stoneycroft Gill. This path leads down into the Newlands Valley.
4
Scar Crags → Causey Pike (1.1 km, 47 m)
Descent of about 88 m, then a climb of about 47 m, over 1.1 km.
A short, exhilarating traverse east along the crest from Scar Crags to Causey Pike. The path is rocky but straightforward, with plunging views into the Newlands Valley to the south and Coledale to the north.
Waypoints
The Ridge Path: The clear track linking the two summits. Causey Pike Summit (637m): Known for its "bobble" or "pimple" shape: a rocky outcrop with a final few steps of minor scrambling.
Decision point
The Ridge Crest: Keep to the highest ground. The path is heavily eroded into the bedrock and easy to follow.
Easy to get wrong
Wind Exposure: This ridge takes the brunt of winds funneling through the valleys; on a stormy day it can be hard to stand upright. Minor Scrambling: The very top of Causey Pike’s bobble needs your hands on the rock: simple, but it can feel exposed.
If you need to get off
Do not try to leave this ridge down its flanks. If the wind is too strong, retrace your steps west to the col at Scar Crags/Sail Pass to drop down into the valleys.
5
Causey Pike → Rowling End (1.2 km, 9 m)
Descent of about 198 m over 1.2 km.
From the summit of Causey Pike the route drops aggressively eastwards off the "bobble": steep, rocky, hands-on downclimbing over polished rock steps. Once you clear this craggy section, the gradient eases into a grassy, undulating ridge descent over Sleet Hause and down to the bump of Rowling End.
Waypoints
The Causey Pike Downclimb: The steep, rocky steps immediately leaving the summit. Sleet Hause: A minor grassy saddle on the descent ridge. Rowling End (433m): The last top on the eastern ridge before the steep plunge to the valley floor.
Decision point
The Eastern Ridge: The ridge down to Rowling End is obvious, pointing toward Derwentwater and the Skiddaw massif.
Easy to get wrong
The Downclimb: The rocky step off Causey Pike is intimidating for beginners: polished by thousands of boots, and dangerously slick in rain or ice. Take your time and face the rock if necessary. Knee Impact: Once off the rocks, the path stays steep for about 200 m more, putting a lot of pressure on tired joints, before the ridge eases.
If you need to get off
Before committing to the steep, hands-on downclimb off Causey Pike, your only bail is to turn back to Scar Crags. Do not drift south off the ridge into the steep bracken of Rigg Beck.
Rowling End → Finish (4.0 km, 31 m)
Descent of about 348 m over 4.0 km.
Leaving Rowling End, the path plunges directly down the steep, grassy nose of the fell, through heavy bracken, to the valley floor at Stoneycroft. The final section is an undulating valley walk along the quiet Newlands Valley road, contouring the base of Barrow back to the starting point in Braithwaite.
Waypoints
Stoneycroft Gill / Bridge: Where you reach the valley floor and cross the water. Newlands Valley Road: The tarmac road tracing the bottom of the fells. Braithwaite: The finish point.
Decision point
Stoneycroft Gill: Aim for the bridge at the base of the fell. The Road: Once you hit the tarmac at Stoneycroft, turn left (north) and simply follow the road. It acts as a handrail, skirting the base of the fells all the way back to the village.
Easy to get wrong
Jarring Final Descent: The grassy drop off Rowling End is fiercely steep, and a notorious slip hazard when wet; trekking poles help a lot here. Traffic Hazard: The walk back to Braithwaite is on a narrow country lane. While quiet, cars can appear suddenly around the blind, walled corners. Mental Fatigue: The 3 km walk out on tarmac can feel like a slog after the high-adrenaline ridge walk.
If you need to get off
The steep descent off Rowling End commits you to the Newlands Valley floor. Once on the road, you are on the direct route back to your car; keep alert for traffic.

Download GPX

GPX track for your GPS or phone. Walked in part · km 2.9–3.4, km 4.4–5.2, km 7.2–11.8 from the map

Summits bagged (5)

1Barrow455 mNorth Western · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge
2Outerside568 mNorth Western · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge
3Scar Crags672 mNorth Western · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge, Nuttall, Hewitt
4Causey Pike637 mNorth Western · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge, Nuttall, Hewitt
5Rowling End433 mNorth Western · Birkett, Synge

In the order you walk them — the same numbers the elevation profile, the stage notes and the pacing table use.

Keep to the built line. The notes on this route mention eroded or braided ground. Where it is mud or standing water, walk through the puddle rather than round it, stay on the pitched stone even where it is a staircase you would rather not use, take the zig-zags the long way, leave loose stones and cross-drains where they lie, and build no cairns. Deep or moving water is a different question — turn back or take the safest way past rather than wade for the sake of a path. Fix the Fells’ volunteers keep these paths: what a metre costs, and how to give a day or a few pounds.

Conditions and timing

Check live conditions in the “From the fells” panel, on MWIS (opens in new tab) and the Met Office mountain forecast (opens in new tab) before you set off.

When the sun reaches the tops

Not sunrise — the moment the sun clears the skyline from that summit, which on a fell with high ground to its east can be a good deal later.

Barrow — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:30, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00. It waits longest in midsummer — about a quarter of an hour after sunrise.
Outerside — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00. It waits longest in late December — about half an hour after sunrise.
Scar Crags — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.
Causey Pike — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.

How to read these times

The two equinoxes are shown because they fall in the walking season, and late December too wherever a top keeps you waiting then; the clock gap between the equinoxes is British Summer Time, not the hill. Rounded to the nearest quarter hour and meant as a general idea, not a schedule.

Modelled from a 30 m elevation model against each summit’s own skyline — the same figures the fell pages carry, never observed. Cloud is not in it.

Getting there and back

Parking

Braithwaite village (roadside/small areas) — 0.1 km from the start (straight line)

In the village centre, beside the primary school. The small car park there may be the one the Authority lists as 'Braithwaite School', open to the public at weekends and in school holidays only, with no overnight parking. The 'Scar Crags, Causey Pike', 'Stile End, Outerside, Causey Pike, Rowling End' and 'Ard Crags & Knott Rigg' routes start here; the 'Coledale Round' starts at the Whinlatter Pass road car park above the village, 0.7 km on foot.

Directions Something changed here?

If it is full: Noble Knott, Whinlatter (Forestry England, free) (1.7 km, 72 m up); Revelin Moss, Whinlatter (Forestry England, paid) (3.3 km, 117 m up); Stoneycroft Ghyll, Newlands (free) (2.3 km, 105 m up)

Kinn car park — 0.6 km from the start (straight line)

On the Whinlatter Pass road (B5292) above Braithwaite. The 'Coledale Round' starts here. Room for about 10 cars (Lee McCoy, walked through it, 12 August 2026).

Directions Something changed here?

If it is full: Braithwaite village (roadside/small areas) (0.7 km, 70 m up) a few spaces only; Kinn (verge, east) (1.2 km, 72 m up)

Kinn (verge, east) — 0.6 km from the start (straight line)

On the lane east of Braithwaite towards Portinscale, about 630 m from Braithwaite village. The Braithwaite route starts, 'Scar Crags, Causey Pike' among them, are about 0.6 km away in a straight line. A long stretch of roadside with room for about 20 cars; buses park here too, so space can go quickly and the usable length varies (Lee McCoy, local observation, 12 August 2026).

Directions Something changed here?

2 more places to park near the start

Kinn (verge, north) — 1.0 km from the start (straight line)

Beside the Whinlatter Pass road (B5292) above Braithwaite. The 'Coledale Round' start, the car park lower down the same road, is 0.6 km on foot. Free (OSM-tagged). It is a verge rather than a formal layby, and the position here is Lee's own (Lee McCoy, 12 August 2026).

Directions Something changed here?

Noble Knott, Whinlatter (Forestry England, free) — 1.2 km from the start (straight line)

Forest car park on the Whinlatter pass road, east of the visitor centre. Approx 20 spaces. The 'Coledale Round' start, the car park lower down the same road above Braithwaite, is 1.0 km on foot. Added from the 5 August 2026 OSM candidate review. Community walk pages start here for 'Words In The Woods' and 'Whinlatter Forest - Heavy Sides Walk' (community walk listings). Free (OSM-tagged).

Directions Something changed here?

Positions are approximate.

Vehicles are left at their owner’s risk: we list places people park and cannot vouch for any of them. Take valuables with you and leave nothing on show.

Every option near this start, on the parking map →

If the parking is full

There is a fallback here, but it is a weak one. Some of the 3 below tend to fill for the same reasons at the same time. Treat the list as one-and-a-bit options rather than 3.

Kinn (verge, east) — a 580 m walk to the start
Rowling End, south-east (layby) — joins the loop at about km 8.9 of 12.2: a 1.2 km walk to the line, climbing about 70 m, and you walk the round from there
Uzzicar, 0.6 km N (layby) — joins the loop at about km 10.4 of 12.2: a 20 m walk to the line, and you walk the round from there
By bus: buses stop at Braithwaite, at Croft Terrace, a 10 m walk from the start. A bus is not affected by a full car park. Its return times are under Buses.

We never say whether anywhere has spaces today. Walks to the line are measured along mapped paths (OpenStreetMap), not in a straight line. How we choose these places.

No signal when you get there? RoutePark keeps this list on your phone: choose this walk’s GPX at home, keep it, and it opens offline.

Buses

The 77 and X5 stop at Braithwaite, at Croft Terrace, a 10 m walk from this start. As timetabled from 27 October to 1 November. Towards Keswick (77): Tuesday to Sunday 17:37 to Keswick, 16:37 to Cockermouth. Towards Workington (X5): Tuesday to Thursday 22:27; Friday and Saturday 00:22 (after midnight); Sunday 20:17. Checked against the operator’s timetable, 24 September 2026. Times here are a guide, not a promise — leave yourself more than the minute.

The 77 passes this route at 0.0 km (Braithwaite, at Croft Terrace, 10 m off the line). It passes again at 11.3 km. Seasonal: the 77 does not run from 2 November 2026 to 21 March 2027.

Stagecoach 77 / 77A “Honister Rambler”

Keswick – Portinscale – Hawes End (Catbells) – Grange – Seatoller – Honister Pass – Buttermere – Lorton – Whinlatter – Keswick (circular)

Catch it from: Keswick (connect via 555 from Windermere/Ambleside or X4/X5 from Penrith)

Seasonal (Summer 2026 timetable: 23 March to 1 November 2026). Brilliant for the North Western fells: Catbells, Dale Head from Honister, the Buttermere fells and Whinlatter.

Rural routes change seasonally — confirm on stagecoachbus.com (opens in new tab) or Traveline before travelling.

Toilets and refreshments

The essentials

Arrival Roadside parking in Braithwaite village, about 95 m from the start. No fee or capacity is recorded for it here. 93 m in a straight line, not a walking distance. (our parking map (Lee's own coordinate, 9 August 2026), checked 9 August 2026)
Toilets No toilets are mapped within 250 m of the start. (OpenStreetMap, as mapped on 13 September 2026, checked 13 September 2026)
Refreshments Jasper’s is mapped beside the start, with the Royal Oak (about 145 m) and Ivy House (about 160 m) in the village. Opening hours are not recorded here. 16 m in a straight line, not a walking distance. (OpenStreetMap, as mapped on 13 September 2026, checked 13 September 2026)
Limitation Leaving Causey Pike’s summit is a short, steep downclimb over polished rock steps, slick in rain or ice: take your time and face the rock if you need to. (our route notes (this route's own warnings), checked 28 September 2026)

Everything mapped near the start

At Braithwaite village (roadside/small areas), the closest parking we hold to where this route starts:

Outside Jasper's coffee shop (open when the shop is) (~89 m straight line) — Free Middle Ruddings Ivy House Jasper's Royal Oak Coledale Inn

Distances are straight lines from the car park, not walking routes. Opening hours change; none of this is checked daily.

Mapped as nearby on OpenStreetMap too, as of 13 September 2026, within 250 m of the start and not already listed above:

Village Shop

Also mapped within reach: an information board, 2 shelters.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (opens in new tab), ODbL.

Water, shelter & getting away

shelter (mapped, not checked; 6 m off the line) Police Station (W bound) (6 m from the start, straight line) Police Station (E bound) (7 m from the start, straight line) Thornthwaite Road (N bound) (420 m from the start, straight line) Thornthwaite Road (S bound) (426 m from the start, straight line) Hope Memorial Camp (462 m from the start, straight line)

Getting there across the Lake District: Buses · Parking map · By train · By boat

Planning detail

How each grade on this page is set, and the timings stage by stage.

Difficulty profile

Severe overall — hardest: Steepness

LengthModerate12.16 km round.

SteepnessSevereSteepest sustained descent about 42% around the 8.5 km mark.

TerrainHard Hard – our judgement from the map and the route’s record; that stretch not walked

NavigationHard Hard – our judgement from the map and the route’s record; that stretch not walked

ExposureHard Hard – our judgement from the map and the route’s record; that stretch not walked

HandsHands for a few stepsCausey Pike's top, up and down (km 5.9–8.2).

Five independent axes, not one score. None of them was set on the ground: three of the five are our judgement from the map and the route’s record, and the rest are computed from the recorded track and the map, which measures the line rather than surveying the ground.

How we grade: each axis is Easy, Moderate, Hard or Severe, and a route between two bands takes the higher one. Length: under 8 km, 8–14 km, 14–20 km, over 20 km. Steepness, the steepest 500 m of the track: under 15%, 15–25%, 25–35%, over 35%. Terrain, navigation and exposure are judged rather than measured, and each note says why. How we grade.

Pacing

Summit	Cumulative	Ascent	Time (fast–steady)
1Barrow	2.2 km	367 m	1:03–1:24
2Outerside	4.1 km	555 m	1:44–2:19
3Scar Crags	5.8 km	760 m	2:26–3:14
4Causey Pike	6.9 km	807 m	2:44–3:38
5Rowling End	8.2 km	816 m	3:00–3:59
Finish	12.2 km	848 m	3:51–5:07

A fast–steady range from Naismith’s rule, deliberately on the slow side. Breaks, weather, rough ground and the slowest person in your party all add to it. How we time walks.

Access & barriers

Can a dog, a buggy or dodgy knees manage this route?

Dog

Gates only

Buggy

Not buggy-able

Knees

Tough descent

Buggy: No mapped stiles, but the ground is not a buggy line: terrain Hard – our judgement from the map and the route’s record; that stretch not walked.
Knees: A long, steep ~47% drop over 250 m around the 8.3 km mark — hard on the knees.

With a dog

Hardest for a dog here: drops and exposed ground. The steepest stretch is a sustained descent of about 42% around the 8.5 km mark.

Drops and exposed ground: Hard – our judgement from the map and the route’s record; that stretch not walked.
Rock and scrambling: Hands for a few steps: Causey Pike's top, up and down (km 5.9–8.2). Ground underfoot: Hard – our judgement from the map and the route’s record; that stretch not walked.
Stiles and gates: Only gates and kissing gates are mapped: no stile a dog can’t get through. That is the barriers alone; check the route’s steep or rocky ground before you bring a dog. (OpenStreetMap, mapped as of 25 July 2026)
Ways off early: None recorded for this route.
Livestock, shade and water: Not recorded for this route yet. We never call a stream safe for a dog to drink, so carry enough for both of you. The lead rules, and what to do around cattle, are on dogs on the fells.

On the line: 4 gates

Barriers as mapped on OpenStreetMap, which can miss some. Spotted one? Tell us (opens in new tab). Barrier data as of 25 July 2026. Access data © OpenStreetMap contributors (via Overpass).

Places to stay near this start

From Whinlatter: 12 places in Keswick

Walks from places nearby

Walks from Braithwaite — 0.1 km from this start
Walks from Portinscale — 1.7 km from this start

Straight-line distance from this walk’s start. Those lists hold the routes we have mapped and every Wainwright and Outlying fell within about 5 km of the town, ranked nearest first.

All routes →