A Walk - Langdale Western Circuit (Prophetic Trance and Delight) with John Parkinson
12 miles (19.3km) with 3100ft (936m) Total Ascent
"What enormous mountains are these behind me" said Romantic Lakes Poet Samuel Coleridge in 1802, "I lay in a state of almost prophetic trance and delight".
Perhaps in this manner we set out from the Old Dungeon Ghyll, with a brisk hike up The Band to clear the cobwebs before we reach the summit of Bowfell with a short scramble. A short trek via Ore Gap takes us to Esk Pike. From both summits we can view every major group of fells in the Lake District. Down to Esk Hause before a climb through a boulder field to Scafell Pike, England´s highest summit. From here we take the Corridor Route to Sty Head then passing Allen Crags and Rossett Pike and onto the Cumbria Way to return entranced by the delights of our hike.
B+ Walk - High Raise & the Langdale Pikes with Colin Manning
6¾ miles (10.9km) with 2700ft (822m) Total Ascent
Today´s walk is a throwback to the one I lead in 2011, which went down hugely well with all who came with me. Whilst more climbing than normal for a B+climbing, it is a short one, with plenty of time to co plate, and is one of the classics of the Lake District including 7 Wainwright Hills.
We start our walk from the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel and immediately begin our ascent towards Loft Crag via Mark Gate. Once we reach the base of Loft Crag we are between all three of the Langdale Pikes. We go up Loft Crag (2231ft/680m) and follow the path round to the base of Pike O´Stickle (2326ft/709m). Pike O´Stickle involves a bit of a scramble but it is only a short climb. This option can be omitted in bad weather or for anyone not wishing to do it. From here we head for the highest of the Langdales, Harrison Stickle (2415ft/736m). This summit does not require any scrambling and is a most impressive peak. This is the second highest point of our walk and the hardest work is now done.
After a short stop or possibly lunch break (time depending) we head down a short distance to our next peak, Pavey Ark (2297ft/700m), atop the challenging Jack´s Rake. We now cut back to head for Thunacar Knott (2372ft/723m) before our final notable ascent to the summit of High Raise, the highest point of the walk at 2500ft/762m. A short stop here for photo opportunities and refreshment before turning back to head for our final summit, Sergeant Man (2395ft/730m). Now it´s all downhill. The path here starts well enough but becomes less clear until we reach the tarn, so care will be taken to keep together so that we don´t stray from the route. Once we reach the tarn it is a rocky, but scenic, descent down the side of Stickle Ghyll waterfalls to the coaches and refreshment.
B Walk - Skelwith Bridge to New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel via Cathedral Cave with Barry Mather
7½ miles (12km) with 1100ft (335m) Total Ascent
Leaving Skelwith Bridge we pass Skelwith Force and after crossing the footbridge over the river Rothay we join the Cumbria Way to Park Farm, then on to Colwith Force. Staying on the Cumbria Way we head for Stang End then visit the spectacular Cathedral Cave. After crossing Slater Bridge we have a gradual ascent passing Dale End on the way to Baysbrown Wood and on to Oak Howe. Crossing Great Langdale Beck we head to N.D.G. Hotel for some well deserved refreshment.
C Walk - Paths well remembered, then a bit further with Joyce Bradbury
5.98 miles (9.6km) with 432ft (132m) Total Ascent
We leave the coach at Skelwith Bridge and take the usual path past Skelwith Force to Elterwater. We cross Langdale Beck, then up to the quarry and along the path to Chapel Stile. A probable lunch stop here before we climb briefly away from the road to follow the Cumbria Way to Oak Howe before the rough track up and over to Side House. No need for haste as we have plenty of time. (If anyone wishes they could leave us here and follow the path down to the coach.)
We now leave the Cumbria Way to follow a permissive path south westwards below Side Pike. (Two good but large stiles I´m afraid!) We then turn northwards to drop down through a wood and a camp site to the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel before following the beck back to the coach.
