Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, Calf Crag and Steel Fell
Forum » Walk Reports » Lake District
Gibson Knott (Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, and Synge)
Calf Crag (Wainwright, Birkett, Dodd, Dewey, Fellranger, Synge, and Tump)
Steel Fell (Wainwright, Birkett, Dodd, Dewey, Fellranger, Synge, and Tump)
| Date started: | 07/04/2026 |
| Distance: | 18.3 km or 11.4 miles |
| Ascent: | 745m or 2444ft |
| Descent: | 744m or 2441ft |
| Start OSGB: | NY339073 |
| Time taken: | 5:30 |
| Naismith: | 4:54 |
I'd been looking at this route all winter so with some good weather at last off I went to Grasmere to tick off Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, Calf Crag and Steel Fell.
Up the usual route to Helm Crag, still no desire to climb the lion and the lamb or the howitzer.
The route over to Gibson Knott was interesting, skirting the fell side, up and over various knotts and navigating many bogs. Unsure which was the actual Wainwright top I climbed a number of other knotts on the way over to Calf Crag just to make sure.
Calf Crag was superb, brilliantly isolated with epic 360 views. A disappointing lunch just beyond the summit before navigating another maze of bogs on the way to Steel Fell.
Reached the top of the fell surprisingly quickly and enjoyed the unexpected view of Thirlmere.
The descent of Steel Fell was interesting too, a long and steady descent interspersed with a couple of 'bad steps', had to shuffle down on my bum at one point which I could have done without. Not sure I'll be in a hurry to go up that way anytime soon. A longer than wanted trek back through the lanes to Grasmere for an ice cream. Weather was glorious, I'd packed an unused bobble hat but no sun hat so ended up rather sunburnt.
MartinJ likes this postThat's a great route - but have you ever considered doing it in reverse? I usually manage to find a little bit of roadside parking at Helmside and then set off directly towards Steel Fell. I do this because (a) I just love the view up Greenburn, and (b) Steel Fell tackled from this direction has the feel of a mini-munro, continually challenging you with unexpected bits of crag and intimidating rises.
Tackled this way, you also save Helm Crag itself - the jewel in the crown, as it were - for last, and you have the joy of the rapid descent down the zigzags back down to Greenburn.
It's been a long time since I stood on top of the howitzer, too. I don't imagine I'll be doing it again!
Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions.