walkingbritain banner
spacer



Walk 1207 - Great & Little Langdales

    

Nat Park   Lake District
County/Area   Cumbria
AuthorLou Johnson
Length8.5 miles / 13.8 km
Ascent850 feet / 258 metres
Grademoderate
Startgrid reference NY296064

Photo from the walk - Great & Little Langdales Photo from the walk - Great & Little Langdales Photo from the walk - Great & Little Langdales Photo from the walk - Great & Little Langdales Photo from the walk - Great & Little Langdales Photo from the walk - Great & Little Langdales 
Click thumbnails for larger images.

Packed with stunning landscapes and lofty fells this walk is one of the best in Lakeland. Although undertaken in winter, it provides a perfect introduction to both Great and Little Langdales at any time of the year. The starting point is the large car park near the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel in Great Langdale (grid ref. NY296064). On fine days an early arrival is necessary to find a space. From the car park take the field path that follows Great Langdale Beck towards the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. Continue across the hotel drive into another field. Cross this field to a gate. Turn left and cross a footbridge to join the road.

Great & Little Langdales 
Click thumbnails for larger images.

Stay with the road to Blea tarn until it bends right and take the stile on the left. The path can be seen ahead climbing steadily with a wall on the right to the flanks of Side Pike - the dominant crag slightly to your left. At the top of the climb turn right over a ladder stile onto the road and take the path opposite that leads through a field and woods to reach a foot bridge over the outlet from Blea Tarn.

The Tarn is great place to linger and it is worth the quick diversion to Tarnclose Crag, which offers the best vantage point for the superb view. Retrace your steps to the footbridge. The path continues through a gate and follows the outlet stream as it heads down to Little Langdale Tarn. The path twists and turns a little but is generally easy to follow. Reaching Blea Moss it is better to keep right especially if dry feet are to be maintained!

Turn left onto the road coming down from Wrynose Pass and follow it past Castle Howe. Just after passing Fell Foot Farm turn right down a track over a small bridge and down a walled lane. Stay with this track as it crosses the fellside and descend past the cottages at Low Hall Garth. Shortly afterwards look out for a stone stile in the wall on your left which leads you to picturesque Slater's Bridge.

Cross the bridge and follow the path ahead keeping the stone wall on your right. Reaching the road turn left and immediately right onto a lane. This soon deteriorates into a rough track passing Dale End Farm on your right to reach a gate at a col with views to Elterwater ahead. Go through the gate and take the path that forks left. This climbs at first through trees before descending into Great Langdale. Cross over the first major track to reach another shortly afterwards with a cottage directly ahead. Turn left along this second track descending to Baysbrown Farm. Go through the farmyard to climb through more woodland before descending again to reach oak Howe.

All that remains is to turn left along the Cumbria Way with the intake wall on your right. This section provides a great ending to a superb walk with a wonderful view of the Langdale Pikes. Reaching side House follow the access drive down to the road and the car park. 

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 Explorer1:25,000Sheet OL6
OS Landranger1:50,000Sheet 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.

Rothay Manor Hotel & Restaurant, Ambleside - Cumbria
Hotel - 4 miles / 7 km away

Meadow Bank, Elterwater - Cumbria
Self Catering - 4 miles / 7 km away

Easedale Lodge, Ambleside - Cumbria
Guest House - 4 miles / 7 km away

Parkhouse Guesthouse, Ambleside - Cumbria
Guest House - 4 miles / 7 km away

Langdale Estate, Great Langdale - Cumbria
Hotel - 4 miles / 7 km away

Fell Foot Farm, Little Langdale, Ambleside - Cumbria
Self Catering - 4 miles / 7 km away

Riverside Lodge, Ambleside - Cumbria
Self Catering - 4 miles / 7 km away

Hilton House, Windermere - Cumbria
Guest House - 9 miles / 14 km away

Denehouse, Bowness-on-Windermere - Cumbria
Bed & Breakfast - 9 miles / 14 km away

Linthwaite House Hotel, Windermere - Cumbria
Hotel - 9 miles / 14 km away

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

Walks & Peaks Bedsearcher
Search, choose and book your accommodation online.

Hostelbookers - Hostels in England, Scotland and Wales

 


SITE NEWS

Merrell Boots
Every walker needs comfortable boots. These new boots from Merrell provide great support and are suitable for both sexes.
More info.

Protect Your Feet
Sorbothane Insoles are designed to absorb foot impact shock across a wide range of outdoor activities. Read the gear review and start looking after your feet.
More info.


 

spacer
Copyright © 1999 - 2008 Walking Britain. All rights reserved.