Twin Peaks of Longsleddale

• Quiet, traditional Lakes valley
• Where Pennines geology meets Lakeland
• Traditional mining history

I have now been up Tarn Crag 4 times which I suspect is unusual, 3 of which have been following the slightly nerve racking 6 mile drive up the single track road of Longsleddale. However I like the valley, I particularly like it because it is so quiet and totally unspoilt and I like it because it marks the boundary between the peat lands of the Pennines and the more rockier steeper sided Lakeland. Although Longsleddale sits between Haweswater and Kentmere it is a secretive valley, hidden almost apologetically off the A6 north of Kendal. It is also quiet because those not in the know can see no reason to go there; there is no pub or settlement and there are no mountains that are worthy of attention. In fact I agree on the mountains; the twin peaks of Grey Crag and Tarn Crag offer really very little of interest, decent views maybe, particularly from Great Howe but generally it is a moorland tramp reminiscent of the moors further east. Postman Pat was apparently conceived here although the history of the valley was religious; trading between the abbeys and other religious centres often following a route down Longsleddale. Yewbarrow Hall being a posting station on the route.

Recommend: The O/S map has Harrop Pike only 1 metre below Grey Crag, it is also the better vantage point so well worth including on the walk

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© Crown copyright 2010 Ordnance Survey. Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

OS Map:	O/S 1.25,000. OL7 The English Lakes South Eastern Area
Start Point:	484057. There is sufficient parking at Sadgill for the number of visitors. Visit Grey Crag first so pass through the gate and the steep field directly in front of the parking
Terrain:	Some wet ground particularly in the peat hags between the two summits
Eating & Drinking:	Unless the Village Hall is selling tea and cakes there is nothing in the valley
Similar Walks Nearby:	Kentmere and Troutbeck Valleys The Other Borrowdale Little Known Swindale
Places to Stay: