YHA hopping in The Lake District - YHA Grasmere to YHA Langdale

(S) Leaving YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe by the main entrance, turn right up the Easedale Road until you reach the right hand bend and the signpost indicating Easdale. Go over the footbridge and carry straight on along the track to New Bridge. The route is clear, heading north-west up Sourmilk Gill, past the waterfall and bending left to go due to west uphill to Easedale Tarn. Carry on up to Belles Knott, looking down to the right to see Codale Tarn, finally coming out onto Blea Rigg where you can look down to Stickle Tarn in front of the Langdales. Here, turn right and head north westerly again to reach the cairn at Sergeant Man (Wainwright at 736m).

(1) From Sergeant Man, maintain height heading due west, bending round to the left until heading due south to climb up to the cairn at Thunacar Knott (Wainwright at 723m). Take the path down going east to pick up another path heading south-east and scramble up to the cairn on Pavey Ark (Wainwright at 700m). Retrace your steps a short way then swing left (heading south) to reach the cairn on Harrison Stickle (Wainwright at 736m). From here, take the path leading off due west (crossing another path at right angles) to climb up to Pike of Stickle (Wainwright at 708m). From the summit, head along the edge south-east to meet another path over Loft Crag (Wainwright at 682m) and head down, first south, then bearing left, south-east parallel to Dungeon Ghyll. Go over Mark Gate, past Dungeon Ghyll Force until you meet a T-junction of paths. Turn right along the wall, then over a stile to join the Cumbria Way and down to the B5343 road

(2) Cross the road and go through a gate with a Public Footpath sign. Over a footbridge and follow the well defined path to Side House. Bear left to head east around the base of Oak Howe Needle to Oak Howe Farm. Turn left to keep on the Cumbria Way down to Great Langdale Beck, crossing it at New Bridge. Head up to the main road but turn right just before on a small track going to Thrang Farm still on the Cumbria Way. Follow this behind the school and over another bridge to approach a disused quarry. Keep to the right of the beck and then cross the road bridge at Elterwater.

(3) Go up the road to The Britannia Inn at a crossing and village green. After a well deserved pint go up the road by a bus-shelter (sign-posted Ambleside 4 miles). Carry on up this road to a T-junction and turn left. After about 20m take the path up the hillside to the right. At the bottom of Huntingstile Crag a road crosses the path. Turn right and go along the road until you reach YHA Langdale (High Close).(E)

Make sure your boots are comfortable and sturdy. If the weather is bad or the days are short you might consider shortening the route by going straight from Blea Rigg down to Stickle Tarn and down Stickle Ghyll to the road, avoiding the high ground.