The main objective of this walk is the wonderful lake District mountain Bowfell. Once the summit is reached some less familiar territory is included in the route before the return leg to the starting point point is along the Mickelden Valley.
(D/A) Start from the car park at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel and follow the road to Stool End Farm at the foot of the ridge know as The Band. Once you have passed the farm, a track ahead climbs up the ridge. Crinkle Crags appear on the left and the Langdale Pikes, across the Mickleden valley, are to the right. The gradient eases off as the track goes to the right before it going left up to the col where Three Tarns are situated. These tarns offer a foreground to a fine view of the two Scafells (Scafell and Scafell Pike) across the valley to the west.
(1) Next begins a steep route up rocky and rugged terrain to the north with the summit of Bowfell being the next objective. The summit, marked by a cairn, offers a fine view down the valley to the south west towards Eskdale.
(2) The route now descends Bowfell to the north, then north-west down as far as the col between it and Esk Pike. At the col, bear right at Ore Gap and descend the grassy, pathless felllside as Angle Tarn comes into view below on the right with the Langdale Pike seen from the back, therefore showing a less familiar profile.
(3)The descent leads to the main path leading from Rossett Ghyll to Great End and beyond and here you turn right along the path to cross the outflow of Angle Tarn before ascending the fellside ahead. At the top of this rise, Rossett Pike is an optional extra as a digression from the main route to the left. Otherwise, it is time to set off down the steep, rocky path going down Rossett Ghyll. The gradients eases off as the Mickleden valley is approached and the necessary height has been lost. A walk of a couple of miles or so (though it may well seem further) back down the Mickleden valley brings you back to the walk's starting point(D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 108m - Car park at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
1 : km 4.08 - alt. 730m - Three Tarns, go north
2 : km 4.62 - alt. 869m - Bowfell, descend to the north
3 : km 6.33 - alt. 583m - Angle tarn, turn right
D/A : km 11.17 - alt. 107m
Bowfell is one of the classic Lake District mountains and this walk features a circular route via The Band, returning down the valley of Mickleden. I did this walk on New Year's Day 2006, a day when the mountains were still partly covered with snow, a very cold day but with bracing fresh air and an almost alpine feel about the fells. The photos shown were taken on that day.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
A good circular walk around Lingmoor fell with plenty of interest which is a great choice if the higher fells are shrouded in cloud.
The walk takes in the Langdale and Little Langdale Valleys, explores a disused slate quarry and passes a working slate quarry. The walking and route finding are easy, the views are good and there are places on the way to buy refreshments. As a circular walk it can be started from a variety of places along the route.
Crinkle Crags summits lie facing the summits of Langdale Fell separated by Mickleden Beck River valley.
An out and back walk from the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel car-park. The Hotel car parking is available for non Hotel users but you will need to purchase a parking ticket from a machine.
This Langdale walk includes two of the well know Langdale Pikes - Harrison Stickle and Pike o'Stickle - and continues to visit the less walked Rosset Pike so you can avoid the crowds.
Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 6 Wainwrights, 3 tarns,1 lake and 1 pub. This is a tough route but take time to enjoy the scenery around you and be careful on the high ground. Look around and take in the beauty that is The Lake District.
The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. They were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 6 Wainwrights, 3 tarns,1 lake and 2 pubs.
A hike to four summits discovering a wide range of this part of the Nation Park Lake District. The Park Lake District trails aren't waymarked. There are very few signs but the pathway is straightforward as there aren't many crossings. It is, however, preferable not to leave the trail, especially in foggy weather.
A short, and mainly flat, walk which circumnavigates the bottom of the Langdale valley. Good for half a day or when the tops are clagged in. It passes both of the Dungeon Ghyll hotels where refreshments are available.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.