Recommended Ordnance Survey Maps - Outdoor Leisure Map 6 – South Western Area (1:25,000)
Start and End Point – Car Park opposite New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Langdale (NY 295064). Cost £6.00 for the day.You need change!
Distance .??? miles, (??? kilometres) not including gradient.
Distance including gradient ??? (??.?? kilometres
Time - 6 hours
Maximum Height Achieved - ???? feet, ??? metres above sea level
Total Ascent - ???? feet, ??? metres
Accommodation – Sykeside ?.
The Langdales are one of the most popular destinations in the Lakes for the outdoor enthusiast. The area is a magnet for walkers of all levels of ability as well as being a popular venue for climbers. The route up to Pavey Ark offers many a waterfall for those climbers willing to get wet, whilst Pavey Ark itself presents a myriad of climbs and scrambles, including the infamous ‘Jack’s Rake’ – for serious walkers only!!! A nice resting place is at Stickle Tarn, where one can eat lunch while watching others toil up the many climbs.
Another ‘selling’ point of the area is the fact that there are many routes, allowing you the chance to change your plans at a moments notice. Described below are a variety of routes around the Langdales, depending on the weather, your ability, or energy levels.
The starting point for the walk is the Car Park opposite the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. Beware that this popular car park is rather small and is filled to bursting very quickly. The alternative, approximately 1 kilometre away is at the Old Dungeon Ghyll. There is also a bus from/to Ambleside. Opposite the car park, in addition to the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel is also the Tavern. Both offer food, refreshments and toilets.
Tip: Click on the photographs for a larger, more detailed image. They are all size 1600 by 1200 and are ideal for computer desktop wallpaper.
The route up to Stickle Tarn is one of the most beautiful ascents in the Lakes. The path is in extremely good condition, having been reconstructed in recent years and hugs the tumbling stream along Stickle Ghyll. At busy times of the year, such as Bank Holidays, expect heavy ‘traffic’, as climbers, serious walkers and the less-prepared tourist make their way to Stickle Tarn. It’s easy to see why. Not only is the path a direct and straightforward route to some of the lesser but eye-catching summits in the Lakes, every step seems to offer a new waterfall or dramatic view. Where there are stiles, they are all dog-friendly, with ingeniously simple gates to allow them through.
Start the walk by leaving the car-park and crossing the road to the lane opposite. Go past the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel on your right, and keep going straight on, when the lane bends left towards the Sticklebarn Tavern, stay straight ahead, towards the gate to the fells (which is easily located on the right side of a small cottage). Go through the gate and you find yourself in a field. Head along the path to the top left corner of the field, through the gap in the wall, following the path to the right. You can now hear the stream that will accompany you to its source at Stickle Tarn. Keep right, when the path splits and you will find yourself quickly climbing with the stream below to your right. Almost straight away, the waterfalls can be seen as the fast flowing water crashes down Stickle Ghyll.
After a couple of hundred metres, a wooden bridge takes you from the left of the stream across to the right side. The path remains stepped, and well maintained. Keep following the path upwards and eventually you come to a much steeper section where steps are cut into the rock. To your left, the water drops quite dramatically. Cross the water again, now having the stream back on your right, and make your way upwards. Eventually, you reach a plateau where the source of the stream is found – Stickle Tarn. There are stepping stones back across the stream allowing you to circumnavigate the tarn in an anti-clockwise direction. Stickle Tarn is quite spectacular, with its accompanying backdrop of Pavey Ark. After the ascent of Stickle Ghyll, it’s a nice place to have a short break observing the climbers negotiating the various climbs and watching the ‘more serious’ walkers attempting Jacks Rake.
There are a few ways up to Pavey Ark summit. On days with good visibility, I would recommend first capturing the summit of Sergeant Man. This is described in detail below. In misty conditions or where visibility is not that predictable, I’d go direct to the summit of Pavey Ark via one of the following 3 routes:
1 Jacks Rake:
This is a serious ascent that is not for everyone. You do have to have a head for heights, as you have little or no protection on one side, virtually the whole of the way up. If you are unsure at all regarding your abilities, choose a different route or ask someone with experience to assist. To get to the beginning of the ascent from the top of Stickle Ghyll, do not cross the stepping stones. Instead bear left and circumnavigate the lake in a clockwise direction. Climb the screes up to the start (as you can see from the photographs). From the start of the route, there is only one clear route with the steep drop to your left. At the top, the route sways right and away from the cliff edge. Eventually you will arrive at a wall where you turn right and it’s then a simple walk to the summit.
2 Easy Gully:
This is a rocky ascent that looks a good alternative when compared to Jacks Rake. It’s still a scramble however, and there is a point two thirds the way up that is a climb. A large section of rock means that you have a climb without too much to help you. It isn’t a high climb – but more of a blockage in the path, roughly 2 metres high. Again, if you are not confident in climbing, take the 3rd alternative or go via Sergeant Man. There is not the sense of exposure in this ascent when compared to Jacks Rake, but the climb up the rock section is not to be taken lightly. The start point for the ascent is just a little further along from the beginning of Jacks Rake and is accessed from Stickle Ghyll in the same clockwise direction around the tarn. At the top of the gulley, you join the Walkers Route, described below and it’s just a short haul to the summit.
3 Walkers Route:
The safest alternative if you require a direct ascent to the summit of Pavey Ark, without going via Sergeant Man. From Stickle Ghyll, cross the stepping stones and circumnavigate the tarn in an anti-clockwise direction. As the path leads away from the tarn, you are offered a choice of 2 routes. Take the left route due North. After 200 metres, the path bends to the left (North-West) following Bright Beck, climbing gradually. A further 700 metres or so and then the path turns left again (South-West) and starts to climb in earnest. You soon find yourself at the summit of Pavey Ark.
From Stickle Ghyll, cross the stepping stones and circumnavigate the tarn in an anti-clockwise direction. As the path leads away from the tarn, you are offered a choice of 2 routes. Take the right path (North-East). On clear days, Sergeant Man can be easily identified - a rocky outcrop on the horizon. On days where visibility is poor, use the map and compass carefully as the path is not always prominent and it is easier to lose it, rather than follow it at times. The path goes direct to the top of Sergeant Man, via a steep short path. This distinctive summit affords a full 360º panorama including great views back down over Stickle Tarn, the Langdales and also over Lakeland’s central fells. Well worth the extra couple of kilometers from Stickle Tarn!
From Sergeant Man, head west along the faint but definitive path to intersect the main path coming from High Raise in the North. At the intersection, head left (South then South East) towards Pavey Ark summit. As one would expect from a crag with such a challenging variety of ascents, Pavey Ark offers many dramatic views, especially back down to Stickle Tarn.
From Pavey Ark, the first stop is Harrison Stickle. It’s easy to get confused travelling between the 2 fells. As with all the Langdale fells, Harrison Stickle is prominent, and on clear days, it’s easy to follow. Keep to the path, often hugging the rocky crags in a Southerly direction and do not be tempted to follow the path that forks left, descending back down to Stickle Tarn. Keep right and the path takes you up the relatively easy ascent to the summit of Harrison Stickle.
From Harrison Stickle, descend back to the main path and head west to Pike of Stickle, the most distinctive of all the Langdale fells from the summit plateau. With its protruding sides and rounded top, it’s hump-like summit really stands out. The path has undergone some reconstruction and where there once were a couple of boggy sections to navigate, you now find cleverly elevated rocks that act as stepping stones. The final ascent is a short scramble up the rocky crag, before arriving at the peak. During windy weather, it is very exposed to the elements. The views from this crag are truly impressive, comprising the Langdale valley, the Crinkles, along to Bowfell then right back around to Sergeant Man and the Langdales. For me, it is a fitting culmination to the impressive fells of the Langdales.
From Pike of Stickle, descend the same path down the crag. However, instead of taking the same path from Harrison Stickle, bear right when presented with a choice towards Loft Crag in a south easterly direction. Loft Crag is more of a gentle ridge, resembling a half-formed dorsal fin. Cross it and then head down the main path, that gentle falls towards Dungeon Ghyll Force. The path is a steady descent that levels out above White Crag, but remains distinctive throughout. Above Raven Crag, the path starts a final steep descent where you can clearly see Dungeon Ghyll Force, a prominent waterfall. Cross the stream and the stile at the corner of the field and then follow the clear path back down to the Hotel, hugging the wall to your left. Go through the gate and rejoin the path behind the Sticklebarn Tavern, coming out in front of the Hotel where you began the walk. A refreshment or two at the Tavern rounds the walk off nicely!
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Author - Antony Towers – 12th September 2004. I hope you enjoy this walk either virtually or in reality as much as I did. Your safety is your responsibility. Always use a map, compass and be equipped for the conditions. Conditions can change very quickly, even at low levels. Check the weather conditions before setting off and always be prepared for Mother Nature.
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