Self-Guided Walk Langdale Pikes Key Information 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 : 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 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 Footbridge 0.82 0.62 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 stone path forking right just before bridge of two slate slabs (A) Turn right just in front of slate slab bridge 1.07 0.66 Take this steep path as it winds around the hill. In about 200m just BEFORE a gully take a small path on 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 1.99 1.23 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 nearby and cross it (C) Pavey Ark 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. Up steep bank and bear right Left up to short scramble
Langdale Pikes Page 4 3.03 1.87 3.33 2.06 3.85 2.38 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 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 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 the top. (F) 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 4.9 3.03 5.39 3.34 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 summit - this is about the easiest way up to the top. (G) 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 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. Pike O Stickle from Harrison Take ramp up Pike O Stickle
Langdale Pikes Page 6 6.8 4.2 7.86 4.86 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! 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 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 small gate. This path will lead you back to the car park after a final little stile. Back to the col - bear right under Harrison Looking into Langdale Kissing gate in wall corner Dungeon Ghyll Approach to Pike Howe
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. HF Holidays Ltd, January 2015 Monk Coniston, Coniston LA21 8AQ. T: 015394 41566
27 28 29 30 31 10 10 09 09 08 08 07 07 06 06 05 05 04 04 27 28 29 30 31 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 Number PU 100040361. This map was generated and printed by TrackLogs Digital Mapping software. For more information see www.tracklogs.co.uk.