Walking Britain Lake District Walk
Lingmoor Fell from Blea Tarn, Langdale
Walk Route Description
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Parking in the small car park (grid ref. NY 296042) by Blea Tarn the intention was to climb Pike o' Blisco. After twenty minutes or so we turned back because the path was obliterated by snow and ice. The obvious choice was Lingmoor Fell which was free of deep snow but still offered the prospect of excellent views in the bright winter sunshine.
To start this Lake District walk follow the path from the car park walk along the southern and western shores of the tarn to reach the road down into Great Langdale beneath the imposing crags of Side Pike. This wonderful miniature "mountain" can also be included in the walk although on this occasion we skirted beneath it and climbed steeply up to the col beneath its eastern face. From here it is a matter of following the ridge wall to the summit of Lingmoor Fell. It is a wonderful walk with excellent views all around you. Of particular note are the Tilberthwaite Fells with Wetherlam looking particularly ominous to the south. The Langdale Pikes, Bowfell and the Crinkle Crags and the blue waters of Lake Windermere all competed for our attention.
From the summit cairn continue south easterly towards Dale End Farm. This is not seen until you have lost considerable height and care is needed to select the right path. All is not lost if you go too far left - you arrive in Elterwater rather than Little Langdale and a return to Blea Tarn can be made via a number of routes.
From Dale End take the farm track and cross the main lane in Little Langdale heading for High Birk Howe and Slater's Bridge. The bridge is worth a visit in its own right and is a remarkable piece of workmanship. Continue west along the stony track towards Greenburn, taking the right fork to Fell Foot Farm. Follow the Wrynose Pass road round to the left in front of Castle Howe and then carefully pick your way across Blea Moss as you head north to Blea Tarn. This is a delightful path, culminating with a short stretch alongside Bleamoss Beck as it tumbles down some pretty falls.
One particular event of note was that this was the first time we had witnessed hounds racing on the fells. Following what we guessed was an aniseed trail they completed the course from Little Langdale to the summit of Lingmoor Fell and back down in about fifteen minutes! The hounds seemed to manage this with enough energy to bark all the way around the course!
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL6 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL6 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 90 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 90 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
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Recommended Reading
Short Walks in Lakeland Book 2: North Lakeland
This guidebook contains 57 short half to full-day walks in the northern Lake District. Walking areas include Borrowdale, Newlands, Bassenthwaite, Thirlmere, Ullswater, Haweswater and the area north of Keswick up to Caldbeck. Part of a three-volume series, and predominantly focusing on low-level walks between 2 to 9 miles, and graded for difficulty.
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