The Langdale Pikes – Lake District Walks
March 28, 2021
The Langdale Pikes are like old friends to us now. We see them often, have a good old chat about them (mainly trying to remember their names) and discuss which we will go up first and by which route. It was only a matter of time and weather before we were embarking on a hike to create a more intimate relationship with these stunning fells.
The Langdale Pikes - Know before you go
As Mr. Wainwright says “The Langdale Pikes are variously regarded as being from two to five in number”. Harrison Stickle and Pike O’stickle are the two highest, followed by Loft Crag; Mr. Wainwright continues “Thorn Crag and Pavey Ark, often included in the count, have not the distinctive outline of the others and should perhaps more properly be omitted”. We have decided not to omit them, but embrace them as part of the Langdale family…so five it is.
It is possible to climb all of the Langdale Pikes in one hike, but we decided it would be rude not to give the Langdales a little more individual attention. So we have decided on three separate walks of familiarisation.
In busy times, arrive early as the car parks can get full quite quickly. And carry change, the parking meters don’t get a signal so cannot take cards and don’t take notes, which means £7 in coins (or National Trust membership).
Food and drinks post walk? Yes. The New Dungeon Ghyll hotel has a great walkers bar for a post-hike quencher. I’ve also discovered they do a breakfast menu…next Langdale Pike we could be indulging in a pre-hike fuel-up. (Obviously awaiting lockdown to lift).
Our circular of Pike O'Stickle
The Langdales: part 1 – We decided to start with Pike O’Stickle and starting from Dungeon Ghyll, it seemed quite natural to take in Thorn Crag and Loft Crag on route. Three Langdales today.
The route is mainly rocky paths and stone steps; an easy up really with magnificent views of the highest Langdale Pike, Harrison Stickle.
Our return was via Martcrag Moor, which was a lovely gentle down across moorland and then stone steps to the bottom of the valley.
The Summit
Stunning, but very windy on this day. Each top gave us great views; Thorn Crag for the best views down the Langdale Valley and views of Harrison Stickle; Loft Crag had the best views of Pike O’Stickle and Pike O’stickle reciprocates with great views of Loft Crag.
Join us for our walk up to the top of Pike O’Stickle:
Don't Miss on the Langdale Pikes
Dungeon Ghyll force – there was a good view from this walk, but on our Harrison Stickle hike we are going to investigate at closer quarters.- Thorn Crag – not a “Wainwright”, but worth a very slight detour and climb for the best views of Harrison Stickle.
- A quick detour to see Gimmer Crag, a climbers favourite. On the day we were there, it was too windy but we did see some abseilers later in the afternoon.
