Shaftoe Crags

Shaftoe Crags is a fantastic area for a gentle wander in all seasons, with plenty to see if you know where to look. Join me for a little guided tour of the area and I'll point you in the right direction.

My plan was to head straight up to the Jubilee Stone, then through Salter's Nick to find another standing stone. Then over to the main crags and bag a trig point.

Most people follow the wall from the parking straight through to Salter's Nick, but doing this will miss out on a chunk of crags. So at the first gate on the wall I head through and make for the area known as Hallion's Rock.

I was wondering if I could fit through that hole!

The answer was no! Then it was just a short scramble up this little bank to find the Jubilee Stone.

And there it is!

If you've followed us from the start, you may know that finding the Jubilee Stone is what set the whole Fabulous North off. The stone is in honour of Queen Victoria's Jubilee on 21 June 1887 and was placed there by a Colonel R. Atkinson.

From here I head down the side of Salters Nick and onto find the Middleton Standing Stone.

The permissive path for this one is a little cheeky to find. You have to head into the gorse and look for steps built into the wall.

From here it's just a straight line over to the standing stone.

I then retrace my steps and head back to Salters Nick which is a little gorge in the rocks which was used by smugglers taking salt to Scotland or smugglers bringing whiskey back to England.

From here I head south to the main crags. Lots of huge rocks jutting out of the heather.

Including this one oddly shaped like a face!

Then I spy the Shaftoe Crags Trig Point on a little rise, so obviously walk up to bag it.

Then back down and over to a huge chunk of rock with the Devil's Punchbowl on top sitting next to the Piper's Chair.

There was a rumour that William Blackett, of Wallington Hall, filled a punchbowl with wine at his wedding feast.

And I believe this is the Piper's Chair where you can park yourself for 5 and admire the views.

Then from here we had a bit of an explore of the nearby rocks.

Then just straight over this little dip before we find the wall which leads us back to the car.