Weekly Route: Bowfell And The Langdales

Old Dungeon Ghyll > Bowfell > Esk Hause > High Raise > Pavey Ark > ODG

Distance: 12.5 miles (20Km)	Height Gain: 5187 ft ( 1587m)
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.	Maps: Ordnance Survey OL 6 / Landranger 90 Online: Streetmap
Strenuousness: 4 Technicality: 2 Photogenicness: 3	Start Point: NY 285 060 - Old Dungeon Ghyll

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.

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

Length: 4.4 miles (7.08 Km)

Height Gain: 3024 Ft (922 m)

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.

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Section 2 Esk Hause to High Raise

Length: Length: 3.8 miles (6.11 Km)

Height Gain: 1638 Ft (499 m)

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.

The Langdake Pikes viewed from Esk Hause - classic :-).

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.

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Section 3 - Section 3 High Raise to ODG

Length: 4.3 miles (6.85 Km)

Height Gain: 525 Ft (166 m)

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.

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Route Map - bigger version

 

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