The Langdale Pikes are one of the Lake District’s most popular mountain landmarks, and this challenging circular walk around them has everything a hill walker could ask for! Craggy summits, deep gullies, beautiful fast-flowing ghylls and fabulous views in clear weather. The Pikes are understandably very popular all year round. But beware: some of the sections are rocky and very steep, so this route is only suitable for fit, experienced and well-equipped walkers, who are able to navigate in extreme conditions should the mist descend. The stunning views and exciting terrain are well worth all the puffing, panting and aching legs, though!
[1] From the National Trust Stickle Ghyll car park (NY294063), near the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel & Stickle Barn, follow the signed path through the stone walls and head uphill. A flagstone stone path leads up the left bank of Stickle Ghyll.
[2] Go right over the footbridge, following the path up the right side of the ghyll. The path then crosses a stile through a gap in a wall and divides; continue to follow the path up the right bank of the ghyll, and begin climbing steeply up to the dam of beautiful Stickle Tarn.
It also possible to climb up via the left bank of the ghyll and this side will often have less climbers on it. The only challenge though is crossing the ghyll again at the top. Do so with care if you chose this route.
[3] Turn right and follow the path around the edge of the tarn. Cross two sets of steppingstones and a stream. The path then rises away from the tarn to follow the right bank of another small ghyll.
[4] As the path levels off, take a left fork by a cairn that fords the ghyll and climbs steeply west up a rocky path onto the ridge of Pavey Arc via several cairns. As the path levels out at the top, go left by a small cairn to the summit of Pavey Ark and soak in the views!
(A) Pavey Ark gives the impression of being a rocky ridge. In fact this is misleading, and the north-western side is simply an undulating area of moorland, rising towards Thunacar Knott. The summit plateau is characterised by tarns, rocky outcrops and bilberry terraces.
Pavey Ark is the largest cliff in the Langdales, but faces east over Stickle Tarn and is less prominent from the floor of Great Langdale away to the south. The main face is a little over a quarter of a mile across and drops about 400 ft. To the south west it merges into the crags of Harrison Stickle, while the northern end peters out into the valley of Bright Beck. Stickle Tarn is wholly within the territory of the Ark, a corrie tarn which has been dammed to create additional capacity. The stone faced barage is low enough not to spoil the character of the pool, and the water is used for public consumption in the hotels and homes below. The tarn has a depth of around 50 ft.
There are two other options to reach the summit of Pavey Ark, a longer, less steep path around the back or a scramble up Jake's Rake on the face of Pavey Ark. Please be warned though that Jake's Rake is not for the faint hearted and should not be attempted in bad visibility or foul weather unless equipped to do so. More information can be found here.
[5] Leave the summit on a small path that bears south-west over rock and small boulder fields. Once clear of Pavey Ark, the path heads more directly towards Harrison Stickle, which can be clearly seen. Follow the path up the east side to get to the summit. Here you’ll get fantastic views of the southern and central fells, and down into the beautiful Langdale Valley. To the west, the sea can be seen on a clear day.
(B) Harrison Stickle is the highest and best known of the Langdale Pikes. The Pikes are a justifiably famed group of sharp rocky peaks rising to the north of Great Langdale, though beyond their impressive southern front they are found to be merely small summits on the southern fringes of a spacious upland.
Leave the summit by taking a rocky path south-west.
[6] Go left by the cairn, down a steep slope. As it levels off, there is a junction of paths. Walk down and follow the path that heads west towards Pike of Stickle. Pike of Stickle is particularly recognisable in its symmetrical dome shape and gets it's name from being a "pike" (a hill with a peaked summit) and also a "stickle" (a hill with a steep, prominent rocky top). As you near the Pike, the path winds steeply up. Take a short scramble up onto the summit, where you will be rewarded by superb views across to Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and the fells to the north.
[7] Retrace your steps to the bottom of the summit and take the right fork that leads along the south-west edge of the Langdale Pikes massif to the summit of Loft Crag. On descending Loft Crag, follow the path as it winds down along the southwestern edge of the Pikes.
[8] By a large cairn, the path veers right and steeply downwards. The going soon improves and then levels off.
[9] The path then begins turning down to the right, past several small cairns. Follow this across the ridge itself.
Further along, there are magnificent views down the gorge and waterfalls of Dungeon Ghyll.
Lower down, the path crosses the ghyll. Cross over the stile and then take a gate on your left. A few hundred metres further downhill brings you back to the path you started out on; turn right onto it to take you back to the car park.