Meet time: 09:15
Start time: 09:30
(Estimated finish time 17:00)
Grading: Moderate/Strenuous 6.63miles / 10.67 km
Ascent: Approx. 940m / 3,084 ft
Start point: National Trust pay and display carpark at the Stickle Ghyll. Grid reference for start point is NY 294 064.
Postcode: LA22 9JU
Car parking: Car parking is available at Stickle Ghyll or further down the road at Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.
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: A walk across the Langdale Pikes via Stickle Tarn.
Starting at National Trust Car Park we head straight past the Stickle Barn Tavern and for the path running alongside Stickle Ghyll. This path is steep and can be slippery when wet but the views quickly become spectacular as you ascend towards Stickle Tarn. We cross a foot bridge half-way up the ascent and eventually cross back over the Ghyll via the stepping stones before reaching Stickle Tarn.
From the tarn the group will have the option to scramble Jack’s Rake (this is a Grade 1 scramble) or to move anti-clockwise around Stickle Tarn and approach Pavey Ark via the north scree slope. Regardless of the option we will reconvene at Pavey Ark (700m) before continuing the walk.
Pavey Ark is the first Wainwright and Langdale Pike of the day. Langdale means ‘long valley’ and the pikes are the fells that are above the valley. The next Wainwright of the day is Sergeant Man which is north of Pavey Ark. The route to Sergeant Man is off the beaten track but is not a difficult walk and the ground can be covered quickly.
From Sergeant Man (736m) we follow the clear path to High Raise. Our third Wainwright of the day has commanding views over Borrowdale and on a clear day across Bassenthwaite Lake and all the way to Scotland. High Raise (762m) is also the highest summit of the day. The next part of the route is a gentle walk to Thunacar Knott.
Thunacar Knott (732m) is a reasonable flat plateau with a cairn to mark the summit. From here we head south towards Harrison Stickle. The path curves around Harrison Stickle before reaching the summit, from here you have the best views of Stickle Tarn and Langdale.
From Harrison Stickle (736m) we move across a rough path and descend rock steps before reaching the grassy col below Pike of Stickle. The ascent here can be steep but the summit is overlooked by Crinkle Crags and the views are worth it.
Pike of Stickle (709m) is our penultimate Wainwright and Langdale Pike. The path from here to Loft Crag (680m) is obvious and easily followed. After reaching the summit we now begin our descent to back to the start point.
Please contact Miles 07842 783319 on by 9pm on Friday 1st September if you are coming on this walk.
Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing (waterproofs and spare warm clothing as the weather can change quickly), 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.
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