Walk 1171 - Pike o' Blisco from Blea Tarn, Langdale

     
Click thumbnails for larger images.

Blea Tarn situated between Little and Great Langdales at the foot of Pike o' Blisco is one of my favourite places in the Lake District. Surrounded by mountains the view across the water to the Langdale Pikes is perfect especially in morning sunshine. This walk is an out and back excursion to the superb summit of Pike o' Blisco and for most of the way is over good paths.

I parked in the small parking area just off the road that runs on the east side of Blea Tarn (grid ref. NY296042). From here take the signed footpath along the southern shore of the Tarn with the wonderful view to the Langdale Pikes on your right. Continue down to the small wood, cross the bridge and turn right along the path that skirts the western shores of the tarn. Heading north this path leads back to the road linking Great and Little Langdales just below the shapely outline of Side Pike, which is reminiscent of a miniature Langdale Pike.

Do not exit to the road but instead bear half left across a boggy area and just before you start to lose height turn left to contour across the fellside. In summer the route follows a broad grassy path that leads to a narrower path through bracken. Neither losing or gaining height you cross two becks on of which might cause problems if in spate to reach the main path coming up from Great Langdale. Turning left onto this paved path you have twenty minutes of steady climbing before the walk becomes easier.

As you climb there are excellent views behind over Great Langdale to the shapely Pikes. Eventually the path levels off and continues across a broad area of open fell with the craggy summit of Pike o' Blisco ahead. Surrounded by low rock walls, the summit area is a scramblers paradise although all the "hand work" can be avoided by careful route selection.

In places the route of the path is not too clear but a few small cairns help direct you to the topmost point. On the day we did this walk, a large new cairn was being built (see Site Magazine for details). Whatever your views on cairns, the summit is a great place to stay a while. In every direction there are grand fells including the Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, the Carrs, Wetherlam and the Langdale Pikes. Having absorbed the view return to Blea Tarn by the outward route having filled a pleasant half day with a mountain excursion.

Suggested Maps

It is recommended you take a map with you when following a walk route. The preferred scale is 1:25000 used by the Explorer series.

	OS Explorer	1:25,000	Sheet OL6
	OS Landranger	1:50,000	Sheet 90

Note : If two maps are listed at the same scale then either (a) both are required for full coverage of the route or (b) the route is covered on both maps.

Fell Foot Farm, Little Langdale, Ambleside
Self Catering - 0.7 miles / 1.1 km away

Langdale Estate, Great Langdale
Hotel - 2.0 miles / 3.1 km away

Meadow Bank, Elterwater
Self Catering - 2.2 miles / 3.5 km away

Rothay Manor Hotel & Restaurant, Ambleside
Hotel - 4.8 miles / 7.7 km away

Riverside Lodge, Ambleside
Self Catering - 4.9 miles / 7.9 km away

Easedale Lodge, Ambleside
Guest House - 5.0 miles / 7.9 km away

Parkhouse Guesthouse, Ambleside
Guest House - 5.0 miles / 7.9 km away

Peat Howe Barn, Keswick
Self Catering - 6.8 miles / 10.9 km away

Lake District Cottages, Boot, Eskdale
Self Catering - 7.7 miles / 12.3 km away

Gillbank, Eskdale
Self Catering - 7.7 miles / 12.4 km away

Self Catering Directory
A wide range of properties throughout UK & Europe

NOTE - all distances are "as the crow flies"