8:00 start with 17:30 return
10.5 miles / 17 km with 3350 ft / 1020 m Total Ascent
Today’s A walk, encompasses the classic tops of the Langdale Pikes and then adds in an outlier just for good measure!
Unfortunately, there is no gentle “approach” walk-in today, it is head down and straight uphill from the start at New Dungeon Ghyll.
Our ascent route initially follows Dungeon Ghyll up to Mark Gate, high above Raven Crag. The terrain is steep but a well defined path guides us slowly onward ultimately to Loft Crag (682m). On a clear day, the views into Mickledon and across to Crinkle Crags and Bowfell take some beating.
We’ll first head to Pike of Stickle (709m) before walking over to Harrison Stickle (736m), Pavey Ark (702m), Thunacar Knott (723m) and then round to Sergeant Man (736m).
From here, it’s then up to the high point of the day – High Raise (762m).
A long descent west on a sometimes faint or non existent path brings us to the head of the Stake Pass which separates Langstrath from Mickledon.
If time and conditions allow, we will climb Black Crags (588m) before doubling back to Stake Gill on a steep descending path that Wainwright illustrates in his book on the Southern Fells. Walking poles may prove useful here for additional balance.
Either way, if you have done the Stake Pass or Rossett Gill footpaths before, you will know that it is a long way down to the valley floor of Mickledon!
Once down, the valley track is wide with a few undulations but otherwise straightforward. It is undeniably a long walk back to the NDG Hotel and Car Park, but the surrounding tops provide a fantastic backdrop along the way.
9.5 miles / 15 km with 1575ft / 480 m Total Ascent
From the Old Dungeon Ghyll we cross the road and the beck to join the Cumbria Way which we follow initially to Oak Howe. Further on we pass Baysbrown and Wilson Place before reaching Slater Bridge.
Here we can take a slight detour to marvel at Cathedral Cave. WOW!!
Carrying on up the valley we cross the river Brathay at Fell Foot Bridge and access a minor road which skirts Castle Howe until we can safely cross the boggy area over to Blea Moss.
Further up the valley we pass Blea Tarn and circuit Side Pike before we return back to the Great Langdale valley and a well earned pint. All other refreshments are available.
9 miles / 14.5 km with 900 ft / 275 m Total Ascent
This walk is one of the best with a succession of little lakes, woods and waterfalls. We leave the coach at Clappersgate and walk along the road by the River Brathay to Skelwith Fold and Eolith Bridge. To Skelwith Force Waterfall. Here we proceed to Colwith Force and soon see the beautiful double cascade of the force. We climb up from the waterfalls to High Park and Slater Bridge. This picturesque bridge has a gently pointed arch. This spans the outflow of Little Langdale Tarn which soon comes into view. This is a lovely sheet of water backed by the Tilberthwaite Fells. We now continue to Elterwater and Chapel Stile and by Great Langdale Beck to Side House and to the New Dungeon Ghyl Hotel where our coach awaits.
6 miles (9.7km) with 400ft (122m) Total Ascent
Leaving the coach at Skelwith Bridge we follow the Cumbria Way via the waterfall to Elterwater (Toilets 30p). After a short climb out of the village we drop down to a path through some woods before arriving at Chapel Style (More toilets!). Here we leave the road immediately after the Wainwright Hotel to walk by the Langdale Beck. Crossing the Beck we go along field paths, (some can be a bit rough underfoot) to eventually reach Side House. From here we cross a bridge to New Dungeon Ghyll for refreshments and the coach.
