“A summit deserving of detailed exploration and rewarding visitors with very beautiful views. Rank Bowfell amongst the best half-dozen”
A Wainwright
The summit of Bowfell is one of the most scenic in Lakeland.
From it's conical summit the views over Eskdale to Scafell and Scafell Pike, the Coniston Fells and beyond to Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea rank amongst some of the best in the Lake District.
Added to the views is a spectacular route in it's own right, traversing from The Band on the Climbers Traverse (the route the rock climbers use to get to Bowfell Buttress) we reach the bottom of the cliffs. There is no apparent way up, but a good route can be found climbing over or alongside the huge Great Slab a huge rock that continues until just below the summit.
Let our experienced guides take you up this classic but less popular route to the summit of Bowfell before completing a circuit of the other fells at the head of the Langdale Valley.
“Bowfell's earliest references are of Bowesfel, deriving from the then local surname of Bowe. The pass below the summit, now known as Three Tarns was formerly called Bowesscard or Bowe's Scarth”
From The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel we will follow the path climbing along The Band, but instead of following the path all the way to Three Tarns we turn off to the right, following the Climbers Traverse. This path leads to the foot of Bowfell Buttress, a wonderful huge rock face high above the Langdale Valley.
Here we turn off the climbers routes and instead pick a path climbing along the Great Slab, a huge slab of volcanic rock at an angle that is easy enough to walk over! In damp conditions there is a path to the side of the slab.
As we reach the top of the slab we will have breathtaking views behind us over the Langdale Valley and ahead of us will come into view the summit of Bowfell, one of the best summits in Lakeland.
A short walk brings us onto the rocky summit where we will be rewarded with views on a good day to the south and west over the Coniston Fells, Morecambe Bay and to the summits of Scafell & Scafell Pike.
A short walk over Ore Gap will bring us onto our next summit of Esk Pike with great views down the Eskdale Valley before we descend to Esk Hause, the main pass between Eskdale and Borrowdale.
After descending below Esk Pike to Angle Tarn a short climb will bring us to the summit of Rossett Pike, here we will be rewarded with great views along the Langdale Valley before our descent to Mickleden and the valley walk back to the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Langdale
Postcode: LA22 9JY
Grid Reference: NY 286 061
Directions
From Ambleside: Leave on the A593, signposted to Langdale and Coniston, follow this road until the junction with Ellers Brow, turn right onto Ellers Brow, signposted to Chapel Stile and Langdale.
Follow this road through the village of Chapel Stile and continue past the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel to the right, continue along this lane to the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, on the right, there is a National Trust pay and display car park outside the Hotel for walkers.
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