“The humble walker is rarely afforded such an opportunity”
A Wainwright
The Langdale Valley is arguably the prettiest in the whole of the Lake District and this epic walking route traverses over the iconic mountains that stand around the edge of the valley. This route starts off by collecting the magnificent Langdale Pikes before continuing over to Bowfell, a huge mountain with one of the best views in the district. The route continues to impress as it traverses the many tops collectively known as the Crinkle Crags, followed by Cold Pike and finally Pike O' Blisco before descending back into the valley bottom.
“A summit deserving of detailed exploration and rewarding visitors with very beautiful views. Rank Bowfell amongst the best half-dozen”
A Wainwright
From the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel we will climb by Stickle Gill on a very good path to the lovely Stickle Tarn. At the edge of the tarn you feel like you are standing in an amphitheatre with Harrison Stickle high up on the left, and Pavey Ark making a steep back wall with its cliffs straight ahead. A great viewpoint where Jack's Rake, an enjoyable scramble can be seen traversing its way up the steep face of Pavey Ark. From here we will circle the tarn and climb onto Pavey Ark via a gully on the eastern side. We emerge from the top of the gully, and a short distance of picking our way through some outcrops and around some small tarns and we summit Pavey Ark.
An easy path now traverses the hillside and then climbs to the summit of Harrison Stickle, the most prominent of the Langdale Pikes. This is a fine viewpoint, with far reaching views out to Windermere and beyond. To the west we are also greeted with excellent views of the rest of our route spanning out in front of us.
We descend the steep western face of Harrison Stickle to Harrison combe where we walk just a short distance to the summit of Loft Crag. We collect the final Langdale Pike, Pike O'Stickle, after another short walk along the ridge.
Now high above Mickleden we walk across Martcrag Moor to traverse around the head of Langdale Combe and then towards Rossett Pike. From Rossett Pike we have stunning views down over the popular Angle Tarn, of which we descend to. From the shores of Angle Tarn we climb steeply to Ore Gap, the col between Esk Pike and Bowfell. We continue southwards over the rocks and boulders to the fine summit of Bowfell. The views from this summit are breathtaking in all directions.
Now at the head of the Langdale Valley and half way through the route we descend to the Three Tarns before enjoying the multiple summits that make up the Crinkle Crags.
After traversing The Crinkles our route starts to bend back to the east and we begin our return journey, however two great summits stand in our way. Our next summit is Cold Pike, and after descending to Red Tarn we climb for the final time to the summit of Pike O' Blisco.
With over a dozen peaks under our belts we make our descent back to the valley floor via Wynrose Fell. We rejoin the road near the Old Dungeon Ghyll, and then a short walk along this road brings us back to our start point, where there is conveniently a few pubs to select from for a celebratory drink.
The Langdale Horseshoe is a very long day out entailing lots of ascent or descent, and will therefore be very physically demanding. It should only be tackled by experienced hill walkers or very fit people. The route can be completed in two separate walks via The Langdale Pikes and Bowfell and The Crinkles. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your suitability to this walk.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: The New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Langdale
Postcode: LA22 9JX
Grid Reference: NY 295 064
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 until the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel is Seen up a lane to the right.
Parking will be found to the left here and also a little further along the road (Both the car parks charge a fee). We will meet outside the hotel.
For Ghyll Scrambling sessions we will be using the changing rooms at the top of the National Trust car park, so it may be easier to park here.
Bus Services
The Old Dungeon Ghyll isserviced by the 516 bus from Ambleside, the bus stop is 100m from the meet point.
The 516 runs between Ambleside and the Langdale Valley.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
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