Harrison Stickle from
the Langdale Valley

Introduction
Langdale is a popular area in the Lakes. 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 people than the higher fells of Crinkle Crags and Bowfell due to the proximity of some great crags within easy reach

Harter Fell and the Duddon Estuary seen from Bow Fell

Looking down to the Langdale valley from Crinkle Crags

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.

Pike O' Stickle seen from the northern slopes of Pike of Blisco

Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark

Another route that is hugely popular is the scrambling route of Jacks 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. Jacks Rake is not for the faint hearted!

The summit of Pike o' Stickle

Steve, looking a little nervous on the exposed ledge

Don't look down!

Lee tackling the hardest part of the rake

The summits of Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell provide some quite rocky high level walks. The views are good and are a good place to see 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.

Pike of Blisco seen from the slopes of Bowfell

Crinkle Crags seen from Pike of Blisco

Crinkle Crags seen from Bowfell

Helvellyn, St Sunday Crag and Fairfield seen from Bowfell

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 involves some easy rock steps but it principally involves rocky walking. 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 staturesque. If it's wet weather, be prepared to get quite wet though if choosing this route!

Bowfell seen from Pike of Blisco

Bow Fell seen from a tributary of the River Esk

Esk Pike seen on the descent from Great End

A feature of Bowfell worth visiting is the Climbers traverse. This is similar to Jacks Rake in that you have a vertical drop accompanying you for a good distance. But unlike Jack 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 summers afternoon at it is quite shady here.

Scafell and Scafell Pike seen from Esk Pike

A view down into Langstrath

Crinkle Crags seen from Langdale

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 with 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 summers day.

Lingmoor Fell seen from the
other side of Langdale