This fine group of fells is clearly defined by natural boundaries. It has the Newlands Valley and Braithwaite on the eastern side, while Lorton Vale and Crummock Water form the western one. The road from Buttermere to Keswick over Newlands Hause marks the southern limits, and Whinlatter Pass between Lorton and Braithwaite the northern. These hills have a character all of their own rising steeply from the surrounding valleys as though to fully utilise the space within. The result is a compact mass of summits notable for the most part in their narrow connecting ridges; which provide relatively firm walking even after a spell of wet weather. Most seasoned walkers have a high regard for them, and look forward to a day in their company. Grasmoor is the highest point hereabouts, and it differs from the others in that it is a bulky fell yet is rarely dominant from the nearest of it's neighbours . It is best appreciated from further afield as seen from the Loweswater hills or the High Stile ridge. Moor seems to aptly describe the summit, but the great scoop of Dove Crags above Gasgale Gill bites deeply into it, and the views from here and over Crummock Water on the other side are superb. A high saddle links Grasmoor to the main cluster of hills of which Crag Hill is the hub and only just inferior in height. One of the best loved ridges in the district descends from Crag Hill over Sail and Scar Crags to the curious top of Causey Pike; one of those fells instantly recognised in a view. Another fine ridge descends over Wandope and Thirdgill Head Man to the shapely peak of Whiteless Pike before descending to Buttermere. To the north of Crag Hill another high saddle between Coledale and Gasgale Gill connects with the three grand hills above Whinlatter Pass; the central summit where the ridges join being Hopegill Head. A walk of high quality on a narrow crest leads to Whiteside above Lorton, and another enjoyable ridge goes east round the Hobcarton Valley to Grisedale Pike whose spire like cone is in view from Keswick. North of Hopegill Head a short and rough descent on exposed slate leads to Ladyside Pike, and then over Swinside down to Lorton. The best is not always the highest, and here are perfect examples of that. Barrow above Braithwaite and Newlands which has wonderful views over Derwent Water and of Skiddaw is one. Another one is Rannerdale Knotts above Crummock Water; a little ridge that is absolutely delightful.

 ROUTE ONE. CRAG HILL (Eel Crag) FROM LANTHWAITE GREEN VIA WHITESIDE AND HOPEGILL HEAD.
4 miles 3100ft of ascent.

  A signpost opposite the small car park at Lanthwaite Green points the way to Gasgale Gill and Whiteside. The climb starts after the footbridge has been crossed first going left a little to gain a footing on the steep bank. A well used path becoming very eroded ascends the appropriately named Whin Ben, after which an easier section leads to the final long rough and rocky slope. Careful selection of the way ahead pays dividends here as the wide trail offers a choice of route. The summit of Whiteside is a welcome relief, and the view along the face of Gasgale Crags towards Hopegill Head is a gem. So is the ridge ahead over the higher top, and on a narrow crest to and beyond the main depression. The summit of Hopegill Head is one of the very best poised high above the valley from which it gets it's name, and also on the very brink of Hobcarton Crag. Head slightly east of south now to the subsidiary top of Sand Hill and go down the shoulder to Coledale Hause. A direct ascent of Crag Hill may be attempted here, but walkers who care about the damage done on scree slopes such as this will continue ahead between Crag Hill and Grasmoor to the head of Gasgale Gill, and then turn left for the summit from there. Also worth considering at Coledale Hause is to add Grasmoor to the walk. Cross Gasgale Gill and ascend the obvious ridge taking shape there on a good path that curves up to the rim of Dove Crags; a feature missed by many visitors to the fell. From the summit shelter the main path can then be followed with a grand view down to Crummock Water back to the head of Gasgale Gill. The finest way down is by the Whiteless Pike ridge and down the little Rannerdale Valley, best seen at bluebell time, leaving a mile or so by the road back to the start. Rannerdale Knotts can be added and should be if time permits.

ROUTE TWO. CRAG HILL (Eel Crag) FROM HIGH LORTON VIA LADYSIDE PIKE AND HOPEGILL HEAD.
5.5 miles 3200ft of ascent.

   Leave High Lorton on the lane to Boonbeck and Scales, and stay with it to the junction with the lane from Hopebeck. Turn along this lane and pass through a gate on the left just beyond the third enclosure fence to another gate at the top of the enclosure. The way ahead is now clear to the shoulder of Swinside, and a long steady climb follows without incident to Ladyside Pike where matters improve markedly. The summit has two cairns and some small pits, but the main attention now will be ahead to the naked rock ridge below Hopegill Head. The path first rounds a small rise and just above a tiny detour left will lead to a doorway on the rim of Hobcarton Crag. Easily negotiable rock slabs are now climbed to the summit cairn, but under snow or icy conditions this is a difficult place to be without the appropriate equipment. The route now coincides with that described in Route One. If a return has to be made to Lorton there is no obvious easy alternative. To avoid further climbing a descent of Gasgale Gill to Lanthwaite Green is a possibility thence following the intakes back to Lorton. If Hopegill Head can be tackled once more then the ridge to Whiteside may be enjoyed before dropping down the shoulder from the higher top to Dodd and Hope Beck. Another car in Buttermere or the bus service back to Lorton from there is perhaps the best plan.

ROUTE THREE. CRAG HILL (Eel Crag) FROM BRAITHWAITE VIA KINN AND GRISEDALE PIKE
4.75 miles 3400ft of ascent.

  Walk up the Whinlatter Pass road to the end of the Coledale mine track where a few cars may be parked. The ascent starts here up some steps, and once underway the rest of the ascent over Kinn to Grisedale Pike is obvious. Apart from Kinn there are two more well defined ascents the first to Sleet How and then the slaty narrower ridge to the Pike. Now go down the south west ridge, and over a subsidiary top bearing left immediately down to Coledale Hause where Routes One and Two are joined. Follow Gasgale Gill to it's source at the col between Grasmoor and Crag Hill there turning left up to the summit. The royal road back to Braithwaite must be by Route Four down the east ridge over Sail. There are several choices on the way; the easiest being to descend left at Sail Pass and go down Stoneycroft Gill to pass through Barrow Door between Stile End and Barrow. If at all possible Barrow at least should be traversed, and the options of adding Outerside and even Causey Pike to complete the Coledale Horseshoe are there too.

ROUTE FOUR. CRAG HILL (Eel Crag) FROM BRAITHWAITE VIA BARROW, STILE END, OUTERSIDE AND SAIL.
4.25 miles 3150ft of ascent.

   The wide path up the north east ridge of Barrow is clearly seen from Braithwaite. Go by the village shop along the Newlands road, and where it turns left keep ahead up the farm track to Braithwaite Lodge. Two stiles provide access to the open fell and the rising ridge. This is a lovely climb with grand views back to Skiddaw and across to Derwent Water. The upper slopes are cloaked in heather as is a large part of the next stage to Stile End. Go down the ridge to Barrow Door and  bear right above the Door for Stile End. Descend the short south western slope and cross the spongy Low Moss to the foot of Outerside where a somewhat worn path winds up the heathery ridge to the top. There is a fine view ahead to Crag Hill here and the Force Crag Mine is just below in Coledale. Go down to High Moss to meet the Stoneycroft Gill mine road where those who wish to do so can diagonally cross the fellside on a quite recently formed path to Causey Pike, and link with Route Five from Stair. Otherwise turn right along the track which soon ascends through the debris of a disused mine below Scar Crags. Sail Pass will gratefully be reached, but the long climb up to Sail now lies ahead. The cairn on Sail lies within a small pool and few people turn aside to visit it. Instead they remain on the path as it makes a short descent on a narrow crest and finally up the facing rocky rib to the broad summit of Crag Hill. The views are grand all round but especially that back down the ridge to Causey Pike and of Coledale way below. If this route was the best way back to Braithwaite on Route Three, then Route Three is the best way back now. Grasmoor, Wandope and Hopegill Head can all be added to the round, but otherwise turn down into the headwaters of Gasgale Gill to Coledale Hause. Take the path to the right of Sand Hill for Grisedale Pike, or should an early descent be required turn down immediately right for Coledale.

ROUTE FIVE. CRAG HILL FROM STAIR VIA CAUSEY PIKE, SCAR CRAGS AND SAIL.
3.5 miles 2900ft of ascent.

   This route to Crag Hill is a great favourite, and the path up the ridge is testimony to it's popularity. From Stair go up the road and double back at the junction to Stoneycroft Gill where the ascent begins. The curving ridge up to Rowling End is an early test of stamina, and may be avoided by using a path slanting up the northern flank above Stoneycroft Gill. Both routes converge on Sleet Hause above which a steep narrowing ridge leads up to a final rock band that proves easier than it looks. The summit is small in area though in fact it is the first of several humps on this unique top. The continuing ridge to Scar Crags is a joy to follow with fine views down the face to Rigg Beck and the remains of the old Oak woodlands that once cloaked these fells. I do think that they deserve some protection from the grazing sheep. On Scar Crags the ridge widens prior to dropping down to Sail Pass where Route Four is joined. The facing slope to Sail is a toil rather than a pleasure, but the ridge from Sail to Crag Hill is worth the effort. The simplest way back to Stair is to return to Sail Pass below Scar Crags, and turn down left for the Stoneycroft Gill mine road. Another option is to go down right from the pass and descend into Rigg Beck. If a little energy is left ascend the fellside to Ard Crags and descend to Rigg Beck from there.

ROUTE SIX. CRAG HILL (Eel Crag) FROM NEWLANDS HAUSE VIA KNOTT RIGG, ARD CRAGS AND SAIL.
3.5 miles 2350ft of ascent.

     An elevated start is the benefit of this route though other than returning the same way it would seem more suitable if transport can be laid on elsewhere; perhaps down in Buttermere. Not that the climbing or the mileage is excessive to walk back to the hause. The initial climb to Knott Rigg is a test of will, but having arrived on the narrow crest this is a delightful ridge. Wandope and Crag Hill dominate it on the left; while across Newlands Pass Robinson displays it's finest aspect. Ard Crags is one of the prime summits to visit when the heather is in bloom decorating the rocks in the gully falling to Keskadale Farm. Leave Ard Crags down the grassy north western slope aiming for the col between Rigg Beck and Sail Beck. Keep ahead up the opposite slope joining the path from Sail Beck to Sail Pass. At the pass turn up left and resolutely climb up to Sail beyond which a much more rewarding ridge connects with Crag Hill becoming a narrow rocky crest.

ROUTE SEVEN. CRAG HILL FROM BUTTERMERE VIA RANNERDALE KNOTTS, WHITELESS PIKE AND WANDOPE.
4.75 miles 2875ft of ascent.

    The ascent starts opposite the Bridge Hotel by the side of Mill Beck or opposite the National Trust car park. Either way the path climbing the rock outcropping ridge to the end of Low Bank will be met. The ridge leading to Rannerdale Knotts may be considered a detour, but nothing better will be done and nothing finer seen later on than from here. The view over Crummock Water from the delightful summit of the Knott to Mellbreak is a stunner. Having done that turn up the path winding up the bank on the left. After an easier section midway a long climb with some erosion to contend with is required to reach Whiteless Pike. A little loss of height to Saddle Gate is succeeded by a climb up Whiteless Edge to Thirdgill Head. Beyond the cairn watch for a path trending right to Wandope. The last part a circuit of Addacombe Hole to Crag Hill is excellent. Grasmoor should be slotted into this walk if at all possible; preferably after visiting Wandope. The path to it is clearly visible from Wandope, and once on the broad top keep to the Crummock Water side on the way to the summit shelter. Coming back have a look over the rim of Dove Crags on the north east side of the ridge. If Grasmoor has been included before arriving on Crag Hill then a descent can be made over Sail to Sail Pass; there turning down right into the valley of Sail Beck.

ROUTE EIGHT. CRAG HILL FROM RANNERDALE VIA LAD HOWS AND GRASMOOR. 2.75 miles 2825ft of ascent. 1.75 miles 2425ft of ascent to Grasmoor.

   The little parking area at the foot of Cinderdale Beck is the start of this shorter route to Crag Hill via Grasmoor. Proceed upstream by the beck, and follow the path onto the ridge of Lad Hows which is broadly based but narrows beyond the cairn at the top of the initial climb. The ascent now runs almost arrow like to the summit plateau of Grasmoor where a short walk left leads to the shelter marking the highest point. Having had the opportunity to take in the views on the Crummock Water side of the fell go north east when leaving to look down the several gullies of Dove Crags with Gasgale Crags on Whiteside directly opposite. At the end of the downfall return to the main path south east descending it to the head of Gasgale Gill, and continue directly ahead up to Crag Hill. With little extra effort Wandope may be visited, but if returning to Rannerdale can be included during the descent before continuing down over Whiteless Pike.