Langdale

The Walks
Langdale is a popular area with the club members. The valley provides the best walking to suit every taste whether that would be scrambling and steep walks up craggy routes or detailed explorations of the many ravines in the area. The medium level fells of the Langdale pikes attract far more members than the higher fells of Crinkle Crags and Bowfell due to the proximity of some great crags within easy reach.



The Langdale Pikes are comprised of Pike of Stickle, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark. The first two summits are the highest with long drops down to Mickleden (the head valley of Langdale) and all three summits rise up a short distance from the moorland of High Raise. The usual pedestrian routes provide easy access to all three summits, the best of which goes via Thorn Crag. Another route that is hugely popular is the scrambling route of Jack's Rake that rises diagonally across the 150m tall face of Pavey Ark. It's a grade 1 scramble and for much of the time the route is confined to a small depression in the Rake where the vertical drop is hidden from view (unless you look between your legs!). There are however about two places at least where you are exposed to a very good view of the full drop below. Jack's Rake is not for the faint hearted!



The summits of Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell provide some quite rocky high level walks. The views are good, particularly those of the Scafell Massif. If one sticks to the main walking routes, the most difficult obstacle you'll find is the 'Bad Step' on Crinkle Crags though this is avoidable.



Again the mountains can be climbed easily via all the main paths but more interesting routes of ascent include the spectacular Crinkle Gill. This gill principally involves rocky walking, but it includes some easy rock steps. The scenery is fantastic and you are often hemmed in by very steep walls on both sides with the faces of Crinkle Crags looking very statuesque. If it's wet weather, be prepared to get quite wet though if choosing this route!



A feature of Bowfell worth visiting is the Climbers' Traverse. This is similar to Jack's Rake in that you have a vertical drop accompanying you for a good distance. But unlike Jack's Rake, it involves walking on a very easy path with no scrambling whatsoever. The big plus point of this route is that you see the impressive faces of Bowfell at very close proximity. It's a nice place to be on a hot summer's afternoon as it is quite shady here.



Lower level walks include Lingmoor Fell which provides some more scrambling opportunities on the small spur of Side Pike and some small rocky outcrops. It is otherwise a pleasant fell to traverse. Another low level ridge is the undulating ridge between Stickle Tarn and Silver How which has some nice views down to Grasmere. Stickle Tarn beneath Pavey Ark and Angle Tarn Beneath Bowfell are both nice places to linger on a nice summer's day.



Gallery Links
25.09.05 - Langdale Freshers Hike

27.02.05 - Langdales

Eating and Drinking
Langdale has three eating and drinking establishments. The Old and New Dungeon Ghyll hotels are about a mile apart. The third is situated right next to the New Dungeon Ghyll. They are all pleasant places to finish the day.



Travel
There is a bus service from Ambleside along Langdale as far as the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. However, buses between the station at Windermere and Ambleside do not connect well with the Langdale bus nor with the trains. Cumbria County Council's journey planner gives details of buses and trains in the area.

Trip Reports
Langdale Trip Reports