Meet time: 9am
Start time: 9.15am
Estimated finish time: 2.15pm to 2.30pm.
Distance: About 7.5 miles (12.1 kilometres).
Ascent: About 2610 feet (796 meters).
Ramblers walk grading: A (Strenuous).
Start point: Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel Car Park
Postcode: LA22 9JY
Car parking: There is a car park right next to the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. Best to get there before 9am as it can fill up fast!
It is the responsibility of each walker to make sure they understand where to park. If you are not sure where the car parking/meeting point is, you must contact the walk leader at the latest the day before the walk. You should not rely on mobile phones or postcodes. There is often no mobile reception near walk meeting points and postcodes are for the nearest place nearby but should only serve as a guideline. Please allow plenty of time to find a parking space so that walks can start promptly.
Description: Leaving Old Dungeon Ghyll we briefly follow the road until taking up the track which goes along Oxendale Beck. After crossing the bridge we go up a steep path which goes up to the mountain pass dividing Pike of Blisco from Cold Pike. It’s a rapid ascent but a welcome break can be found at the path crossroads by Red Tarn. From there a briefer moderate ascent commences just north of Cold Pike which begins the proper approach to Crinkle Crags.
The gradient lessens and the first few craggy tops of Crinkle Crags can be seen, while directly in front shaping the horizon is a slight rocky plateau of Little Stand. On a sunny day some amazing cloudscapes can be seen. When the path finally hits the first of 4/5 craggy tops of Crinkle Crags. The terrain gets quite difficult and treacherous with the Bad Step of the first crag being very tricky to get over, though there is a bypass that can be used.
It is on top of the second crag that the high point of Crinkle Crags is reached coming in at 859 meters. There are astonishing views of the Langdales, Scafells, Eskdale and Dunnerdale from Crinkle Crags and, on a little rocky promenade close to the summit, is a vantage point offering perhaps the best possible view of the two Scafells (providing it’s clear and sunny).
We then continue northwards and in the direction of Bow Fell. This is slow going as the path goes over rocks, boulders and other nasty stuff but it eventually gives way to the usual gravel/mud trods. It’s at this point that Bow Fell starts to loom up and its “ribcage” becomes prominent- it’s a very fascinating feature only clearly seen from Crinkle Crags.
Our descent point begins from Three Tarns (which also has a great vantage point of the Scafells) as the eastern path goes down the grassy ridge known as The Band. It’s a long descent of probably an hour and a half but it’s reasonably gradual. Once leaving The Band we’re back in Oxendale and a quick walk back to Old Dungeon Ghyll.
If you haven’t been to Crinkle Crags this is a must-go-to mountain if you want very different views of the Lake District greats: Scafells, Bow Fell, Langdales, Coniston Fells, etc.
Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing (waterproofs and spare warm clothing), footwear and enough food and water. The leader reserves the right to turn away any walker not suitably equipped. The leader may cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions.
Car sharing may be possible – please contact the walk leader to arrange.
New members: please note the walk leader may ask for more information about your walking experience. This is to ensure you have the fitness required to complete the walk that is planned safely.
Attending: Please register your intent to join the walk using the booking form below before 10pm Friday.
Alternatively, please contact Miles on 07842 783319 by 10pm on Friday 31 October if you are coming on this walk (text or phone, WhatsApp, or message on Facebook (Miles Saunders-Priem)).
Registration Form
One form entry per person please. Resubmit the form if registering additional persons.
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You may also wish to consider carrying an ICE card. Available here: