The Langdale Pikes

M Parkin

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The Langdale Pikes (Pike of Stickle and Harrison Stickle) are two of Lakeland's most easily identified and best loved peaks - once seen never forgotten. The Pikes stand clustered on the north side of the picturesque Langdale Valley and dominate the skyline as if standing sentry over their domain and seem to be visible for most of the southern fells; this is probably because they are so recognisable. Attacking the Pikes face-on as this walk does, makes them seem formidable and even a little threatening, but once on top their bluff is called and their gentler side is shown. The traverses of the Langdale Pikes and Pavey Ark, followed by the descent passing Stickle Tarn and down by the tumbling waterfalls of Stickle Ghyll, make this a relatively short but demanding, though very rewarding, excursion into an impressive area. An advantage of starting from the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel means it is ideally situated at the end of the walk too; as it serves good food and ales and is child-friendly, it makes an excellent place to end the walk.

For Wainwright 'baggers' please see Peter Harper's comment.

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - South West

Features

Great Views, Hills or Fells, Mountains, National Trust, Pub, Tea Shop, Toilets

9/30/2014 - Robert Hughes

This is a magnificent if demanding walk with superb views throughout especially from the various summits. I was amazed how many different fell ranges were visible as well as Morecambe Bay to the South. The directions were clear and in the main easy to follow though the following may help. WM4-5: There is a point just prior to some scree where the correct path turns right up some stone steps but another path goes straight on. Also don't be deceived by the number of smaller plateau before reaching the main one at WM5. At WM6 it is just a short (100m) detour to the right to visit the summit of Thorn Crag with views of the top of Dungeon Ghyll. WM6-7: Again the short detour to Loft Crag is well worth it - just turn left at its base up a ramp and then right to the summit - you can then continue along the clear high path towards Pike of Stickle. WM12-13 After the large boulder the path over the rocky ground is not very clear but is well marked with small cairns. WM13-14 The path is at first indistinct - leave the summit in a generally northerly direction passing the broken wall before reaching a clear path where you turn right to reach the steep rake. Thank you for an excellent walk which took me 5 hours (with the short detours).

4/1/2012 - Sarah Freshwater

We completed this walk recently whilst enjoying the best sunny weather we have ever experienced in the Lakes in March. This is a wonderful walk with (on a good clear day) stunning views from Harrison Stickle and Pike O'Stickle. We found that the path down from Pavey Ark was very indistinct and hard work down through the steep and rocky section to meet the crossing place at the beck. Please be aware that wet weather would make this part of the walk very difficult. Would agree with the previous comment that you should give yourself plenty of time to complete this walk given the steep ascent and the difficult descent from Pavey Ark. Also the final descent from the tarn back to the car park jars your knees even further. The rating of "strenuous" is correct nevertheless it is an excellent walk if you are fit, walk regularly and want to try a more challenging walk.

1/23/2011 - paul lowe

I`ve just done this walk 22/1/2011 and would consider myself to walk at an average pace but it took six hours not three. Just a word of warning for anyone setting off late especially when it gets dark early. Having said that it is a fantastic walk and the views from the top of Pike of Stickle are absolutely superb.

8/10/2008 - Peter Harper

If you are into 'Wainwright bagging', you can turn sharp left shortly after waypoint 6 and take the obvious path to the summit of Loft Crag. Then continue ahead to re-join the original route. This takes the Wainwright count from 3 to 4 on this excellent route.