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- The Langdale Horseshoe
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.
Summits included on this route:
Pavey Ark700 metres / 2297 feet
Harrison Stickle736 metres / 2415 feet
Loft Crag682 metres / 2238 feet
Pike O'Stickle709 metres / 2326 feet
Rossett Pike650 metres / 2133 feet
Bowfell902 metres / 2959 feet
Crinkle Crags859 metres / 2818 feet
Cold Pike701 metres / 2300 feet
Pike O'Blisco705 metres / 2313 feet
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
Each participant is expected to have suitable personal equipment for their activity this should include the following:
- Walking shoes / Boots
- Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
- Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
- Warm tops
- Packed lunch
- Spare clothing
- Water
- Hat
- Gloves
- Torch (preferably a headtorch)
- Spare batteries for the above
For winter walks (November to March) events please also bring the following:
- Spare Gloves
- Flask & Hot Drink
The Following equipment may also be useful if owned:
- Snow Goggles
- Gaiters
The following equipment will be provided by The Lake District Walker should winter conditions require:
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
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Questions:
Question:
Is there a minimum number of participants for this event to go ahead?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Wednesday, 8 November 2017
For the majority of our events we do not require a minimum group size, however for some events, due to running costs and lengths of day we do have to stipulate a minimum group size for an event to go ahead.
For this event we have a minimum group size of 3 people.
Should we not reach this minimum number one month prior to the event we will contact you and offer you your choice of the following options:
- The option to wait until nearer the event date to see if we reach the minimum number.
- A transfer to another event of your choice (either on the same date or another).
- A Full refund
Question:
What is the minimum age for children on this event?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Thursday, 12 October 2017
We do not have a set minimum age for this event, however, you know your child best, therefore please bear in mind this is an open event of varying ages, if you are not confident your child can complete this event then hiring a private guide could be a more suitable option.
As this is an open event all under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Question:
What happens if the weather is bad?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Thursday, 12 October 2017
We plan to walk whatever the weather, unless it is dangerous to do so.
Mountain weather can be a little unpredictable, but we do keep an eye on the forecasts leading up to walks, should the forecast mean that the walk is not possible then we will contact you as soon as we have the forecast and offer you the following options:
- A more suitable walk on the same date taking into consideration the weather conditions
- A transfer to the same walk on another date
- A full refund
Question:
Are dogs allowed on this walk?
Answers:
-
Posted by John Scadding on Monday, 18 September 2017
Yes, dogs are allowed on all our walks.
However we do cross farmland and common land where animals will be grazing, there will be large sections of the walk, if not all, where dogs will be required to be on a lead.
There are sections of this walk across rough ground and boulders and as such this walk may not be suitable for all dogs.
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