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Old Dungeon Ghyll > Bowfell
> Esk Hause > High Raise > Pavey Ark >
ODG
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Distance: 12.5 miles
(20Km)
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Height Gain: 5187 ft (
1587m)
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Overview :Big day out in classic Lakes
scenery taking in both Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes from a
start at the classic Old Dungeon Ghyll walkers'
pub.
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Maps: Ordnance Survey OL 6 /
Landranger 90
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 4
Technicality: 2
Photogenicness: 3
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Start Point: NY
285 060 - Old Dungeon
Ghyll
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A big day route in classic Lakeland scenery. The Old Dungeon Ghyll is
as traditional a walkers pub as you could hope to find, and the ideal
start/finish point for a long route that takes in Bowfell and the
Langdale Pikes. Photographers will be overwhelmed by the
opportunities on a fine day, with extensive views over many of the
Lake District's most popular mountains and valleys. The route is also
ideal for a late start and overnight wild camp, with Three Tarns, Esk
Hause and Angle Tarn all providing well used camping spots.
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OM route man Dave Mycroft
and trusty canine navigator with Langdale and
Harrison Stickle in the background.
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Section 1 - Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel (ODG) to Esk Hause
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Length: 4.4 miles (7.08
Km)
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Height Gain: 3024 Ft (922
m)
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From the Old Dungeon Ghyll follow the short section of
road west to the bend in the road at the head of Langdale, then
follow the signposted path to Stool End. Just after the small
collection of buildings at Stool End the path splits in two, with the
left hand branch heading up Oxendale. Take the right hand branch
heading straight up The Band, following the well marked path
steeply uphill.
The summit of Bowfell remains hidden until you aproach a
plateau at around 1750ft near the top of Earing Crag. Shortly after
this the fotpath splits again, with the right hand branch heading for
The Climbers Traverse and Bowfell summit by the direct route. Take
the left hand branch, heading south west, to climb steadily to Three
Tarns at the col between Bowfell and Crinkle Crags.
As well as providing an ideal wild camp site Three Tarns
provides stunning views down into Oxendale (east) and Upper Eskdale
(west). From Three Tarns turn north and follow the obvious grassy
path that climbs the flank of Bowfell to the right of Bowfell Links.
The route now follows a sloping grass shelf just to the east of the
shattered summit and cairn of Bowfell, before dropping down to Ore
Gap.
You have the option here of taking the main path up Esk
Pike -above - following the line of cairns, or taking in the
wonderfully named Hanging Knotts for its views over Angle
Tarn. From Esk Pike summit the path follows the ridge down to the
Trafalgar Square of Lakelands mountain routes - Esk
Hause.
Section 2 Esk Hause to High Raise
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Length: Length: 3.8 miles (6.11
Km)
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Height Gain: 1638 Ft (499
m)
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Esk Hause is the col on the Esk Pike to Great End
Ridge, and the meeting point of numerous routes. From the col turn
south east and head downhill at first past the four walled shelter
which is commonly thought of as Esk Hause. Ahead lies the short steep
climb to the summit of Allen Crags, one of the area's less summitted
peaks, which is another optional diversion for Wainwright baggers.
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The Langdake Pikes viewed
from Esk Hause - classic :-).
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Our route turns south west from the shelter, heading downhill towards
Angle Tarn and Rossett Gap. Pass Angle Tarn on your left and continue
to
Rossett Pass where a track heads north east over the ridge
to Rossett Pike summit. Now continue north east along the ridge above
Black Crags to NY257 081, where you turn east and drop into Langdale
Com and join the Cumbria Way footpath.
Follow the Cumbria Way north east to a crossroads marked on the OS
maps as "Pile of Stones". Turn east again here and follow the obvious
line up the slopes of High Raise to its summit. The climb up
is rewarded with views west over Langstrath to Glaramara and east
over the Grassmere Fells and Easdale Tarn.
Section 3 - Section 3 High Raise to ODG
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Length: 4.3 miles (6.85
Km)
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Height Gain: 525 Ft (166
m)
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From the top of High Raise turn south on the home leg,
but there's still plenty of work ahead. After a few yards a large
stone marks the option for Wainwright baggers to divert slightly to
take in the summit of Sergeant Man. Our route continues ahead to the
prominent summit of Thurnacar Knott.
Descend south from Thurnacar Knott, then turn east over rough and
occassionally boggy ground to reach the summit of Pavey Ark.
From Pavey Ark the path is well marked by the thousands of feet that
have gone before as you head south west to the summit of Harrison
Stickle. The rocky summit here gives stunning views north east to
the Helvellyn Range, and east down Langdale. The well marked route
now continues west, first downhill, then uphill again once you cross
the fledgling Dungeon Ghyll stream.
Continue uphill to the shapely summit of Pike of Stickle -
that's it above - which has more stunning views - this time of
Bowfell across Mickleden. From Pike of Stickle our route now heads
south east over Loft Crag to the path above Thorn Crag. Coninue south
east and follow the obvious path that descends north east of Raven
Crag. The final short descent takes you to the lower of part of
Dungeon Ghyll and a final section of the Cumbria Way back to the Old
Dungeon Ghyll.
