Langdale Pikes

Self-Guided Walk
Langdale Pikes
These mountains form a collection of spires and cliffs on the north side of Langdale. This walk
visits four of the main tops – Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle, Pike O Stickle & Loft Crag. There are
wonderful views across to Pike O Blisco, Crinkle Crags & Bow Fell. Although a shorter mountain
walk than most it is very strenuous. There is a short “scramble” off the main path to reach the first
three tops. They are not difficult though care is needed in the wet. If you decide to miss any of
these you can continue on the main path below. The Pikes are best left for a good day (see Notes
below) and are particularly lovely in the evening sun.
John Wrigley, route researcher
Key Information
Distance: 4.86 miles (7.86km)
Ascent: 2,486ft (758m)
Time: allow 4 hours 30 mins plus stops Route Grading:
Descent: 2,486ft (758m)
Start & Finish: NT car park (free to members) at Sticklebarn - on the right just beyond the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel.
Notes: As with all mountain walks it is important to remember that conditions can change rapidly at any time of year. Please
carry sufficient warm clothing and full wet weather gear - just in case! The ability to use a map and compass is essential
here if the weather should close in, as the section between Pavey Ark and Pike O Stickle can be one of Lakeland’s most
confusing places in poor visibility. For the distance involved there is a lot of ascent on this walk - paths are frequently rocky
and the ground is often steep. You need to be comfortable in such surroundings.
Langdale Pikes – Page 2
Distance
Km
Miles
Directions
Photographs
Leave the car park by the north entrance, beside the
toilet block. Go through a couple of gates and begin the
ascent on the rocky path with Stickle Ghyll on the right.
Reach a footbridge and cross the ghyll.
Sticklebarn car park
0.82
Footbridge
Turn left to continue up hill on main path. Up on the
right high above is a large rock outcrop (Tarn Crag)
and the route will eventually pass below and in front of
this. About 300m after the bridge look for a smaller
0.62 stone path forking right just before “bridge” of two slate
slabs (A)
Turn right just in front of slate
slab “bridge”
1.07
Take this steep path as it winds around the hill. In
about 200m just BEFORE a gully take a small path on
0.66 a grassy ramp on the right. (B)
Go up steep made path
Then take small path on right
just before gully
Langdale Pikes – Page 3
Distance
Km
1.99
Miles
Directions
This grassy path zig-zags generally north east upwards
to pass close to a large circular stone wall (a sheep
fold shown on the map). Tarn Crag is above and to
your left. Continue up here as the path veers left to
round the crag. As the ground levels the grassy path
grows fainter – if you lose it go north and then north
west till the enormous face of Pavey Ark comes into
view. The mountain to its left is Harrison Stickle. The
path leads to the north east corner of Stickle Tarn. If in
doubt walk towards Pavey Ark and you will soon find
the path on the tarn shore. Walk to the in-flow stream
1.23 nearby and cross it (C)
Some care is needed in crossing, see alternative
below. Go up steep grass bank opposite and bear
right to find an initially faint but then obvious contouring
path curving left. Keep the stream about 100m to your
right. Below to your right is a ford with a wide broken
path leading up to you. Join this path uphill (left) to a
short scramble.
Alternative option. If the in-flow stream is too deep go
upstream to meet the ford mentioned above. The
stream is wider here, but shallower, to cross and
continue as above.
Photographs
Pavey Ark
Up steep bank and bear right
Left up to short scramble
Langdale Pikes – Page 4
Distance
Km
3.03
3.33
3.85
Miles
Directions
The path up to Pavey Ark from here is always bouldery
and often steep so pick your way carefully. At the top of
the initial gully turn left on level ground then in 15m
right again to continue the climbing.
There is an occasional pile of stones to guide the way
(generally) north then west. As the ground finally levels
off bear left for the summit rocks of Pavey Ark. There
are several rocky outcrops that could be the summit.
Look for the one with a small pile of stones and
1.87 perhaps a knot of people too. (D)
Do not stray too far towards the edge here, the drop
back down to stickle tarn is precipitous in places.
Having taken your fill of the tremendous views – in
good weather this is a great picnic stop – head just
south of west (initially 250 degrees) over a low and
broken wall then a winding path goes round boulders
2.06 for about 300m to reach a small deep pool in a hollow
(E)
Here begin turning almost south (200 degrees) and
continue skirting boulders and small pools towards
Harrison Stickle. This should be clear enough in good
weather but the way is a little tortuous. The best route
crosses two wide gullies before you can finally begin
the ascent.
There is a path running round the summit block of
Harrison with an easy scramble up to the left to reach
2.38 the top. (F)
Photographs
Gully up Pavey Ark
As way levels out, bear half
left up to summit rocks of
Pavey Ark
Approaching Harrison Stickle
Langdale Pikes – Page 5
Distance
Directions
Km
Miles
4.9
Come back the same way and now head for Pike O’
Stickle. The direction is roughly west down a rough
path. There is more than one possible route here but
again in good weather the ‘target’ is clear. The route
descends to a deep and wide col, which can be
marshy. Cross on stepping stones and continue west
round a small outcrop within the col to regain sight of
Pike O’ Stickle. Cross more stones to a ‘ramp’ in front
of the Pike and ascend it. About 100m along take a
narrower path on the left which twists around to the
3.03 summit - this is about the easiest way up to the top. (G)
5.39
Retrace your steps by the ‘ramp’ to a small col a few
metres below but as the ground begins to rise bear
right – closer to the crest – and follow a path that will
take you direct to the summit of Loft Crag. You may
need to pick your way a little but this is a very pleasant
3.34 section. (H)
Continue over Loft Crag (south easterly) for about
100m (down a small scramble on the way) then turn
left down a steep gravelly path.
Photographs
Pike O’ Stickle from
Harrison
Take ramp up Pike O’ Stickle
Langdale Pikes – Page 6
Distance
Km
Miles
Directions
In another 100m this swings right (east). After 200m
you reach a cairn (photo) – bear left and head north
towards the head of Dungeon Ghyll. Cross it using the
single stepping stone and bear right underneath
Harrison Stickle. You will soon reach a rocky track
with the fissure of Dungeon Ghyll on your right which
will become ever more dramatic with every step. Take
care here, the view is great but the path needs
watching!
6.8
7.86
The next 500m of path is rocky with several ‘down
scrambles’ to negotiate where hands are needed. The
way then becomes easier with a made up path. The
route forks right just before the delightful Pike Howe
but its worth going straight on to this little pike where
you can see much of the ground you covered earlier.
Stickle Ghyll looks great and the path round Tarn Crag
is very clear now! There are wonderful views up
Langdale as well of course. A great place to stop for a
4.2 tea break. (I)
Retrace your steps to the fork (now on left) and go
steeply down and curve around below Pike Howe. After
many twists and turns you approach a wall. Turn right
and follow it downhill to cross a style in a wall corner.
Continue downhill (wall on left) past a small wooden
bench to a kissing gate on the left in another wall
corner. Go through and in 10m turn right through a
4.86 small gate. This path will lead you back to the car park
after a final little stile.
Photographs
Back to the col - bear right
under Harrison
Dungeon Ghyll
Looking into Langdale
Approach to Pike Howe
Kissing gate in wall corner
Langdale Pikes – Page 7
Escape Routes:
1. At any time before the summit of Pavey Ark - return down the outbound route.
2. After Harrison Stickle, leave out Pike O’ Stickle and Loft Crag and go direct to Dungeon Ghyll and descend.
Local Information
Refreshments & Facilities: Near the car park the Sticklebarn and the next door New Dungeon Ghyll pubs sell a wide range
of food & drinks.
Places of Interest:
 Langdale Valley (The Long Valley) - Many of the major features in Great Langdale are the result of the Ice Age. A
great glacier occupied the whole of the valley. This glacier gouged out hollows in the valley floor that later filled with
water to form lakes. The dale is walled by some of the most distinctive and impressive crags of the Lake District: The
Langdale Pikes (Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle and Pike O'Stickle) on the north side; Pike O'Blisco, Crinkle Crags and,
right at its head, Bowfell on the south side. The small village of Chapel Stile is at the dale foot.
 Stickle Tarn - This tarn was dammed last century to provide a controllable head of water for the valley mills. When the
dam fell into disrepair the tarn became a small pool surrounded by bog. The dam was restored by the National Park in
1959.
 North Rake - This starts with a little scree gully, followed by a stony and grassy uphill trudge between crags. It is the
easiest way to the summit of Pavey Ark though with a steep rubble path.
 Pavey Ark - At 2288 ft (697 m) this is Langdale's biggest cliff. The grey rock of rough texture on the summit are gabrolike rocks (as the Cuillins of Skye).
 Harrison Stickle - Rising to 2403 ft (732 m), this is the highest of the Langdale Pikes. The summit is an elevated ridge
some 70 m long.
Langdale Pikes – Page 8
 Pike O' Stickle - This is the Pyramid, standing at 2323 ft (708 m). At the top of the scree run the site of a Neolithic
Stone axe factory was discovered in 1947. It has so far been established that the axes roughed out at this point were
taken to the coast for finishing.
Please Note: All self-guided walks and cycle rides are undertaken entirely at guests’ own risk. Route directions are supplied in good faith;
however HF Holidays cannot be held responsible for any errors contained within.
Monk Coniston, Coniston LA21 8AQ. T: 015394 41566
© HF Holidays Ltd, January 2015
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This product includes mapping licensed from Ordnance Survey ® with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright 2015. All rights reserved. Licence
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