Gray Crag (Hayeswater)
699m (2294ft)
The Far Eastern Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
In February 2022 Gray Crag (Hayeswater) was demoted from 'Nuttall' status due to insufficient prominance.
You can find Gray Crag (Hayeswater) & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)
1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (the ones with orange/yellow covers):
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See Gray Crag (Hayeswater) and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:
See Gray Crag (Hayeswater) and the surrounding tops on our downloadable PDF Peak Bagging Maps:
*Walk & bag all 36 Wainwrights in The Far Eastern Fells area of The Lake District in just 8 easy-to-follow circular walks.
*This version is marked with the walk routes you need to follow to Walk all 214 Wainwrights in just 59 walks. Click here for more information.
NB: Whether you print off a copy on to paper or download it to your phone, these PDF Peak Baggers Maps will prove incredibly useful when your are up there on the tops and you cannot get a phone signal!
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 7.5ml (12km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,131ft (954m) |
| Time: | 5.75hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Cow Bridge - Brothers Water - Hartsop - Hartsop Dodd - Caudale Moor - Caudale Head - Stony Cove Pike (Caudale Moor) - Threshthwaite Mouth - Thornthwaite Crag - Gray Crag (Hayeswater) - Hayeswater Gill - Hartsop - Cow Bridge
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Gray Crag (Hayeswater)
James Hughes walked up Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on September 3rd, 2024 [from/via/route] c231 Stony Cove Pike & Gray Crag from Hartsop [weather] Sunny morning turning cloudy by end - Sharp climb up Hartsop Dodd, beautiful views out over Windermere from Stony Cove Pike. Free carpark at Hartsop
Claire Kirk climbed Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on December 26th, 2023 [from/via/route] Cow Bridge car park [with] Sarah and Leigh
Andrew Peate bagged Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on August 17th, 2023 [from/via/route] From Hartsop, Cow Bridge Car Park [weather] Clear, breezy
Angeline Grieveson hiked Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on June 4th, 2023 [with] Dotty
Tim Winn summited Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on May 14th, 2023 [from/via/route] Cow Bridge car park [with] Mountain Guides Group [weather] Sunny & dry
Ian Ashton conquered Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on April 7th, 2023 [with] Solo
Christine Shepherd scaled Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on February 20th, 2009 [from/via/route] Walked from Hartsop using walk c231 Walked again with a group from Head 4 the Hills 6.5.21 Finally climbed up the front of Gray Crag solo on 20.04.2022from Hartsop. [with] 1)Jenny 2) With a group 3) solo [weather] Very changeable; snow, mist & winter sunshine in equal measure. - I enjoyed the climb up this fell; much preferred it to Hartsop Dodd
John Ramsbottom has walked up Gray Crag (Hayeswater) [from/via/route] Hartsop,walk c231 [with] Sydney Prince [weather] Sunny, windy - Our first day doing Wainwrights, this was our 4th
Richard Marchant climbed Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on January 11th, 2022 [from/via/route] Parked at Hartsop & headed south up Hartsop Dodd & then ridged along to Caudale Moor across to Thornthwaite Crag & North to Gray Crag & back down to the car. [with] Solo [weather] Clear cold frosty day with a dusting of snow on the tops.
Geoff Hand bagged Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on October 12th, 2021 [from/via/route] c231 Stony Cove Pike & Gray Crag form Hartsop. [with] Alone [weather] Generally Dry Cloudy to the East. - Had a look down on Hayeswater a lovely small & hidden reservoir. The sheep were inquisitive about Tess - she barked & they all ran off!
Paul Ward hiked Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on April 25th, 2016 [from/via/route] Started from Staveley [with] Jamie
John Bryers summited Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on July 11th, 2021 [from/via/route] Parked at Cow Bridge car park near Hartsop. Set off at 8:45am in low mist & light rain. Walked along bridleway towards Patterdale & veared upwards along a track to Boredale Hause. Turning right to Angletarn Pikes. Walked to top of each pike to make sure I'd completed the Wainright. Continued along easy paths East of tarn to Brock Crag. Continued along clear path to The Knott. Headed downhill towards Hayeswater dam, rising up directly on to ridge of Gray Crag. Joining ridge path to top. Returned down Northern ridge to car park. [with] With Mya my faithful 14 year old Patterdale Terrier.
Claire Murray conquered Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on April 11th, 2021 [from/via/route] Hartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike, Thornthwaite Crag & Gray Crag [with] Vitor and Rita [weather] Lovely with a little snow - Lovely walk, was nice & dry, lovely views & spot for lunch. Free little car park at the end of the lane
Andrew Johnson scaled Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on October 8th, 2020 [from/via/route] Hartsop [with] Ted [weather] Blue skies, beautiful views
Andrew Douthwaite walked up Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on August 31st, 2020 [from/via/route] c231 [weather] Sunny spells - Good views, quite steep ups & downs
Richard Marshall climbed Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on July 9th, 2020 [from/via/route] From Hartsop [with] Bo [weather] Wet amisty & cool
Chris Sheard bagged Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on September 30th, 2019 [from/via/route] Circular from Hartsop dodd & round Thornthwaite Crag via the mouth [with] George [weather] Quite cool in latter part of day with with variable winds - Managed a nice walk in good then rainy conditions
Richard Beardsley hiked Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on September 20th, 2019 [from/via/route] Route C231 from Hartsop. [with] Gillian. [weather] Clear, fine & a beautiful sunny day for late September. - Parked car at Cow Bridge car park. (donation into box). Commenced at 0945hrs. & stuck to the route apart from not visiting the top of Cauldale Head to take in the views. The good weather certainly brought out individual groups of walkers so we were not alone. Arrived back to the car at 1515hrs. After a thoroughly enjoyable day.
Kevin Foster summited Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on May 28th, 2019 [from/via/route] Thornwaite Crag. [with] Henry. [weather] Sunny & hot becoming cloudier later on with a cold northerly breeze. - This was no more than a gentle descent on grass down an undulating ridge. The top of Gray Crag lies beyond the second col but before the wall that crosses the summit & is unmarked. Just a metre lower & beyond the cross wall is a large cairn which is generally recognised as the summit & has the better views. The views of Hayeswater & the valley of Pasture Beck on the descent are great. I also noticed a massive gully on the slopes of Brock Crag I think? which looked as if it would make a great scramble. One to investigate in future maybe?
Elaine Evans conquered Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on May 2nd, 2019 [from/via/route] From car park at Hartsop, ascended steeply up to Hartsop Dodd, continued to Stony Cove Pike, followed path & descended to cull then up to Thornthwaite Crag & on to Gray Crag before returning to Hartsop. Similar route to c231. [with] Sue [weather] Mostly dry, warm in some places but also a welcome cool breeze at times. Rained for last 10 minutes of walk but still quite pleasant. - Missed you CJ! One of our best walks, helped enormously be the favourable weather conditions & clear visibility.
Nick Dobson scaled Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on July 23rd, 2018 [from/via/route] Hartsop up through Threshwaite via Thornthwaite Crag [with] Margaret & Ralph [weather] Overcast, cloudy & persistent drizzle - Had lunch under the beacon on Thornthwaite Crag, sat against the wall with no visible views, before heading over to Gray Crag. As we descended from Thornthwaite Crag it stopped raining & small pockets of views appeared as we crossed Gray Crag & descended the North Face before returning to Hartsop.
Christina Lander walked up Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on February 26th, 2019 [from/via/route] Hartsop - Hartsop Dodd - Stony Cove Pike (Caudale Moor) - Thornthwaite Crag - Gray Crag - Hartsop [with] Dick & Meg [weather] A beautiful sunny day
Craig Steeland climbed Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on August 4th, 2018 [from/via/route] From Limefitt bus stop in Troutbeck [with] With Sue [weather] Warm & partly cloudy with excellent visibility
Julian Parry bagged Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on April 5th, 2018 [from/via/route] C231 [with] Nuno Malo
Wayne Baxter hiked Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on April 25th, 2018 [from/via/route] Hartsop Cow Bridge car park to Hartsop Dodd, Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike), Thornthwaite Crag, Gray Crag back to Cow Bridge car park [with] Sue [weather] Cloudy with a few very heavy down falls
Richard Fulcher summited Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on February 25th, 2018 [from/via/route] Cow Bridge car park [with] Dave J [weather] Sunny, clear blue sky, cold (-2c) - An enjoyable walk except for the frozen patches of snow on the hillsides - needed my cheap stainless steel grips - Scarpa boots came apart & need throwing out.
Derek Parkin conquered Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on April 16th, 2016 [from/via/route] Mardale III Bell [with] Lynn Parkin [weather] sunny
Paul Macey scaled Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on August 12th, 2017 [from/via/route] C231
Chris Tomlinson walked up Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on June 12th, 2017 [from/via/route] Cow Bridge Car Park via Hartsop village [with] Will Burrows, Tim Morgan, Dave Rolinson [weather] Warm & dry but cloudy & a small amount of light rain on top (not enough to put on waterproofs though) - Fab walk & a very steep early ascent. Set off later than planned at 11:35 but completed the whole walk in the allotted time of 5hr 45m Extremely windy at times but the views are awesome.
John Walter climbed Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on May 17th, 2017 [with] Tricia
Simon Boddy bagged Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on May 7th, 2017 [from/via/route] Cow Bridge [with] My girlfriend [weather] Cool & breezy
John Tippins hiked Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on April 12th, 2017 [from/via/route] Hartsop [with] Alone [weather] Weather was lousy in the morning - rain & very low cloud. Didn't venture out until the afternoon, which was a lovely sunny day though a bit blowy & chilly on top.
Colin Egan summited Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on April 5th, 2017 [from/via/route] Continuation from Thornthwaite Crag, 5th of 6 fells today. Unplanned detour to include this one as was the easiest way to bag it without a full climb [with] My wife Faith [weather] Sunny day with some cloud, wind cold & strong on summit. - Pleasant & simple walk down along the northern ridge to this top. Lovely views down towards the valleys below. Impressive view of the western flank of High Street, really showed how massive it is.
Michael Nolan conquered Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on February 14th, 2017 [from/via/route] cowbridge [weather] beautiful cold & clear
Michael Nolan scaled Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on February 14th, 2017 [from/via/route] cowbridge [weather] beautiful cold & clear (ish!)
Leon Harvey walked up Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on May 26th, 2016 [with] Solo
Emily Sharratt climbed Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on October 8th, 2016 [from/via/route] From Kentmere via the Garburn Pass [with] James [weather] Lovely bright & a bit breezy - Part of the Greater Kentmere Horseshoe
Mark Davidson bagged Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on November 3rd, 2006 [with] Mike [weather] Clear & sunny but cold November day - especially for camping!
Adrian Sherriff hiked Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on September 14th, 2016 [from/via/route] c231
Clive Ward summited Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on August 19th, 2016 [from/via/route] Haweswater, Riggindale, High Street, Thornthwaite. Return via Mardale Ill Bell & Nan Bield [with] Ian, Chris, Derek Proudlock, Dave Bell, Dave Pearson [weather] Terrible. Heavy rain, strong wind, cold - Glad to get back. I dodn't have enough warm gear
Charlie Housley conquered Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on May 10th, 2016 [from/via/route] Parked up in the Hartsop village car park at 07.00hrs & walked up following the path along Pasture Beck, up to Threshthwaite Mouth & then took the path in a NE direction. [with] Candy the dog. [weather] Another stunning morning. The temperature was very mild, approximately 20˚C with a lovely cooling breeze. - Last of the Far Eastern Fells, now just the not so small matter of the remaining Southern Fells to complete all the Wainwrights.
Anthony Scott scaled Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on April 19th, 2016 [from/via/route] Walk c231 [with] me [weather] Perfect! Sunny & light winds - Very easy route from Thornthwaite Crag. Steep descent down to Hartsop, wouldn't fancy it in mist or wet weather.
David Baines has walked up Gray Crag (Hayeswater) [from/via/route] Hartsop, High Street, Mardale Ill Bell & Thorthwaite Crag. [with] Alone [weather] Overcast, dry, swirling mist & breezey on top. - This is a really excellent circular walk from Hartsop. Some stunning views for most of the walk & final descent down Gray Crag's North ridge is not as bad as it looks from the road. The steepest bit is just before you join back up with the track upto Hayswater dam.
Tracey Cowell climbed Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on October 13th, 2015 [from/via/route] Pasture Beck/Hartsop Dodd/Stony Cove Pike/ Thornthwaite Crag/Gray Crag/Hartsop [with] solo (but met some nice walkers) [weather] Sunny/Misty/Part Cloudy with a cold wind on top of summits.
Tony Rogerson bagged Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on August 11th, 2013 [from/via/route] Hartsop Gray Crag Stony Cove Pike & Hartsop Dodd [with] Shirley [weather] Sunny with some low cloud
Kevin Parnham hiked Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on September 28th, 2015 [from/via/route] From Hartsop via Caudale Moor & Threshthwaite Mouth [with] Jo [weather] Warm & sunny
Phillip Bulley summited Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on September 8th, 2015 [from/via/route] Thornwaite Crag [with] Judith and Toby. [weather] Sunny
Michael Smith conquered Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on September 1st, 2015 [weather] FIr
Mark Hanley scaled Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on August 29th, 2015 [from/via/route] Paterdale [with] Myself [weather] It rained
Christine Knowles walked up Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on February 21st, 2015 [from/via/route] Hartsop, straight up the front as we didn't find the path. [with] Graham [weather] Beautiful winter day, sunny. - Hands on grass up first bit, very steep!
Marcus Bradshaw climbed Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on January 2nd, 2015 [from/via/route] Start Cow Bridge car park at Hartsop. Grey Crag, Thornthwaite Crag, Stoney Cove Pike, Hartsop Dodd [with] Marcus, Pete, Cathy and Charlie the Dog [weather] Very windy with some hailstone
David Noble bagged Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on December 13th, 2014 [from/via/route] Hartsop [with] Jack [weather] Snowing -12 wind temp 5 to 7" snow & up to 2 to 3 ft in places
David Preston hiked Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on June 28th, 2014 [from/via/route] Go4awalk walk c231 from Hartsop [with] On my own [weather] Sunny day
Harry Meijer summited Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on August 17th, 2014 [from/via/route] Private Guided Walk [with] The Lake District Walker
John Almond conquered Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on July 28th, 2014 [from/via/route] go4awalk c231 Stony Cove Pike & Gray Crag from Hartsop. Starting at small parking area just east of Hartsop village - via Hartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike (Cauldale Moor) & Thornthwaite Crag [weather] sunny with patchy clouds
Dave Eyes scaled Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on July 12th, 2014 [from/via/route] From Hartsop. Up Hartsop Dodd, to Stony Cove Pike, to Gray Crag, to Thornecroft Crag, to High Street, to Kidsty Pike, to High Raise, to Rampsgill Head back down the valley & back to Hartsop [with] Chris [weather] Fine all day with great views. Windy on Top. Rained in last 5 minutes
Jon Mapp walked up Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on June 22nd, 2014 [from/via/route] from hartsop - including Hartsop Dodd, Thornthwaite Crag, Caudale Moor [with] Suzzanné of course but also Robin and Caroline [weather] Sunny - but not too hot - Easier climb down than it would have been from Hartsop Dodd
Alan Davidson climbed Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on March 10th, 2014 [from/via/route] from hartsop over hartsop dodd to stony cove pike & threshthwaite cragangie [with] angie [weather] misty
James Brocken bagged Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on February 23rd, 2014 [from/via/route] Kentmere - Broke leg & ankle during descent
Stephen Mcdonald hiked Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on November 24th, 2013 [from/via/route] C231 walk number [with] Joanna and Sunny [weather] Misty & cold at the top - Tough walk up to Hartsop Dodd but all in all a pleasant walk
Joanne Mcgawley summited Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on October 12th, 2013 [from/via/route] Hartsop Dodd, Thornthwaite Crag, Gray Crag [with] Rich [weather] Incredibly Windy!! - 7.55 miles
John Nicholson conquered Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on April 11th, 2010 [from/via/route] C231 - Stony Cove Pike & Grey Crag from Hartsop [with] Ben [weather] Sunny all day - very steep coming down
Iain Taylor scaled Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on December 23rd, 2011 [from/via/route] Hartside Cross (NY 64640 41858)
Simon Smith walked up Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on April 13th, 2012 [weather] A little of everything except rain - sun, wind, cloud.
Stella Nuttall climbed Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on October 30th, 2009 - 4hrs 20 mins extremely steep to hartsop & the again up to thornthwaite
Stephen Littlewood bagged Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on June 9th, 2009 [from/via/route] from Hartsop
Chris Bramley hiked Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on April 14th, 2012 [from/via/route] Thornthwaite cragg [with] Daren, Harry, Jan and Callum [weather] Cold wind, hail & sun
Darren Mortimer summited Gray Crag (Hayeswater) on November 13th, 2011 [from/via/route] Kentmere [with] Dermot Palmer & Richard Johnson [weather] Sunny with mist
Stephen Byrne, Neil Smith, Patrick Rogozinski, Andrew Martin, Adrian Roberts, Peter Thwaites, Matthew Thomas, Karen Lythgoe, Jane Wilkinson, Dale Sexton, Melanie Dunn, Jenny Godfrey, Mr M A Blanchard, David Watson, Louis Smith, Jo Dixon, Alan Fowler, Raymond Barnett, Roddy Mcdougall, Louise Sandwith, Patricia Dilley, Linda Mckeogh, Simon Duerden, Jonathan Tobin, Paul Booth, Victoria Bates, Tracey Cordes, Darren Gallagher, Trevor Williams, Paul Henderson, Libby Burns, John Cuthbert, Patrick Buckland, Stephen Millington, Rob Barklamb, Jeanette Coward and Ray O'hara have all walked, climbed & bagged Gray Crag (Hayeswater).
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Hartsop Dodd across Brothers Water with Gray Crag (Hayeswater) (far left) and Stony Cove Pike (Caudale Moor) (far right)
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