Camp or hostel on this cracking Lakeland two-dayer above Langdale.
Two-Day Walking Route - Langdale Circular, Lakes
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Langdale > Angle
Tarn > Black Sail > Scafell Pike >
Langdale
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Distance: 24.75 miles
(40Km)
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Height Gain: 11122 ft
(3390m)
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A two day route that takes in some of
the Lake District's finest mountains, this Langdale circuit
links the Langdale Pikes, Great Gable, Bowfell and Crinkle
Crags.
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Maps: Landranger 90, Explorer
OL6
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 4
Technicality: 1
Photo Grade: 4
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Start Point: NY
294 064
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A two-day route that takes in some of the Lake District's finest
mountains, this Langdale circuit links the Langdale Pikes, Great
Gable, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags.
A multi-day route needs to be adaptable to take into account
accommodation choices and the unpredictability of the weather and
this route provides a choice of where to split the walk.
Langdale seen from the Crinkles
The second leg finishes at Black Sail where you have a choice of
using the Youth Hostel or an easy descent into either Buttermere or
Wasdale, followed by a three-leg second day.
For the wild camper you can take the 3rd leg on day one, camping
at Sty Head, followed by an easier two-leg second day. Whichever
option you choose you get some of the finest views in the Lakes. The
super fit may be able to knock off the 25 miles and 11000 ft of
ascent in a day, but why rush it!
Section 1 - Langdale to Angle Tarn
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Distance: 6.7 miles (10.8km)
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Height Gain: 3187 ft (971m)
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From Langdale there's a straightforward path up Mickledon to
Angle Tarn, but this "trade route" is little to enthuse about - being
just the shortest route from A to B.
The route of choice starts out up an equally popular tourist route
from the National Trust Car Park in Langdale on the steady,
signposted, climb up Stickle Ghyll.
On reaching Stickle
Tarn you lose most of the tourists as you head north around
the tarn. Where the path splits at the end of Stickle Tarn you get
your first choice. Take the left fork for Pavey Ark - below - with
the option of a grade 1 scramble up Jack's Rake for those so inclined,
or take the right fork for Sergeant Man.
The Pavey Ark route will bring you back to the main route at
Thunacar Knot Harrison Stickle, but the route of choice heads north
east for fine views down Easdale towards Grasmere. Where the Easdale
path splits off to your right turn north west to follow cairns to the
summit of Sergeant Man.
For those wanting to bag an extra Wainwright you can take the
short detour here to take in High Raise just half a mile further on.
From Sergeant Man turn west then follow the path that swings
round to your left for the summit of Thunacar Knott. Again the
Wainwright baggers get the option of adding in Pavey Ark at this
point by a short excursion to the east.
The main path from Thunacar Knott leads south to Harrison
Stickle, high above Stickle Tarn, then swings right to the iconic
peak of Pike Of Stickle. Thorn Crag, just east of Pike of Stickle is
the extra Wainwright available at this point.
With the Langdale Pikes behind you head north west over Martcrag
Moor to a major junction in the paths by a tarn. Ignore the main path
that crosses right to left and continue on west to the start of the
ridge up Rossett Pike. Follow the ridge to the summit, from where a
path drops down to Angle
Tarn.
Section 2 - Angle Tarn to Black Sail
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Distance: 5.6 miles (9km)
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Height Gain: 2685 ft (818m)
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From
Angle Tarn your best option is to follow the crowds as
they head up the main path below Bowfell to the shelter near Esk
Hause. The main path junction here is often mistakenly called Esk
Hause, though the true Esk Hause lies up to your left.
Wainwright baggers again get an optional peak here with a short
and easy detour to the right to take in Allen Crags. Our route heads
downhill here to Sty Head, another of the great Lake District
crossroads.
The Gables from Esk Hause
Wasdale lies down to the south west with Borrowdale to the north
east. Ahead lies 1500 ft of steep unrelenting ascent to the top of
Great
Gable with its memorial plaque to members of the Fell and
Rock Club.
The descent from Great Gable is via either of the paths heading
off the summit to the north west and meeting at Beck Head.
From Beck Head go west up the slopes of Kirk Fell, with stunning
views down the length of Wasdale.
Descend to the north west to Black Sail, where the Moasdale
Horseshoe lies ahead. Turn right at the junction at Black
Sail for the descent past the end of Ennerdale to a path
junction. Just off to the left here is Black Sail Youth hostel.
For those wanting to overnight in Buttermere continue past the YHA
then drop down through Scarth Gap on a well marked track. For Wasdale
turn right at the Black Sail junction before the descent to the
YHA.
Section 3 - Black Sail to Sty Head
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Distance: 2.85 miles (4.6 km)
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Height Gain: 1725 ft (526m)
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This leg starts by retracing your steps of the day before as
far as the footbridge over the River Liza for those making use of
either the YHA, Wasdale or Buttermere. Wild campers may prefer to
include this leg as part of day one.
Follow the main path south east alongside the fledgling River Liza
as it climbs incessantly up Tongue to emerge at Windy
Gap. Here Green Gable lies up to the left and Great Gable to
the right.
Ahead lies the steep descent down Aaron Slack to Sty Head Tarn.
Turn right and walk alongside the tarn, then turn left (east) and
climb 30ft to where a path heads off to your right.
Section 4 - Sty Head to Three Tarns
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Distance: 4.8 miles (7.8 km)
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Height Gain: 2745 ft (837m)
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Turn right at the path junction to start the famous
Corridor Route up Scafell Pike. The path is steep, but well
defined and easy to follow. You get a break from the ascent as you
cross the stream beyond Stand Crag but the ascent soon starts again
as you pass below Broad
Crag.
As you reach level ground again a path comes in from your right
from Piers Gill, and shortly after you swing right for the final push
to the summit of Scafell Pike - below.
Now swing north east and begin the descent towards Esk Hause. Pass
Little Narrowcove to your right, with Great Moss far below, and
continue between Ill Crag and Broad Crag.
Where the path splits Wainwright baggers may prefer the short
detour up the left fork to take in Great End, but our route takes the
right fork to the true Esk Hause. From here the route continues
straight ahead up the ridge of Esk Pike then down to Ore Gap.
At Ore Gap you have the option of a descent down to Angle
Tarn for a quick return to Langdale. Continue up again, following the
ridge heading south to reach the summit of Bowfell, with superb views
of Langdale to the left and the Scafell Pikes behind you. All that
remains of this leg is the descent to Three Tarns, between
Bowfell and Crinkle Crags.
Section 5 - Three Tarns to Langdale
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Distance: 4.8 miles (7.8 km)
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Height Gain: 780 ft (238m)
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From Three Tarns take the path up onto Crinkle Crags,
taking each of the five Crinkles in turn and taking care as you
approach the "bad step", which can be avoided by a narrow track on
the left. Great views of the Langdale Pikes - below.
The path now gets wider as it descend to Great Knott then down
again towards the popular Red Tarn. Where the path forks on the
descent from Great Knott, stay on the left fork unless you want to
take in the detour to Red Tarn.
Ahead lies Pike Of Blisco, but that can wait for another day as
the route turns left and drops steeply down to Oxendale. At Stool End
join the path that descends from Bowfell via The Band and continue
along level ground into Langdale and your starting point.
