Langdale Pikes Guided Walk

5th April 2017 – Adventure Peaks Walk Report

Leader: Ian

Group members: Penny from Kent, Elisabeth from Oregon, U.S.A

Venue: Langdale Pikes

We set off from the Sticklebarn Car Park about 10 am and followed the path next to the waterfalls up to Stickle Tarn. It was all fairly quiet, as if the Easter holidays haven’t quite started yet. It was was a perfect day for walking with great views down Langdale, to Windermere and we could make out Ingleborough in Yorkshire, thirty or so miles away. Once we were up on top of Harrison Stickle (736m) the views were even better with most of the Lakeland peaks clear and in view. There was a cold North-west wind though and we were glad of hats and gloves.

We descended and crossed the top of Dungeon Ghyll then ascended to the shapely peak of Pike O’Stickle(709m), via the interesting rocky scramble at its summit. Again there were wonderful views, especially down to Loft Crag and Gimmer Crag. The highlights of the steepish descent down to Langdale were finding some devils matchsticks in amongst a clump of heather, and on the side of Thorn Crag we were overtaken by some sheep and dogs who were being trained by the local farmer.

This is a brilliant walk for those walkers visiting the Lakes for the first time, The terrain varies constantly so that at some times you can carry on a conversation at length, at others you have to focus on the task in hand of crossing steep and rocky ground, the views are ever changing and the immediate rock scenery, whether in the gorges or on the crags, is quite astounding.