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

01/04/2012 - 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.

23/01/2011 - 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.

10/08/2008 - 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.