Walking Britain Lake District Walk
Pike o' Blisco from Blea Tarn, Langdale
Walk Route Description
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 Lake District 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.
Please maintain social distancing - keep at least 2 metres away from other walkers.
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. | |||
GPS files - right click or option-click the button and choose "Save As..." to download this file.
Recommended Books & eBooks
Great Mountain Days in the Lake District
An inspirational guidebook to 50 challenging walks on the high fells of the Lake District. The graded circular routes, between 4 and 14 miles in length, cover classic Lakeland summits like Fairfield, Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Blencathra, to the lesser-known High Spy, King's How and Brund Fell.
More information
Walking the Lake District Fells - Mardale and the Far East
Part of the Walking the Lake District Fells series, this guidebook covers a wide range of routes to 36 Lakeland summits that can be climbed from the Ullswater, Haweswater, Troutbeck, Kentmere and Longsleddale valleys, with highlights including High Street, Place Fell and the Kentmere fells. Suggestions for longer ridge routes are also included.
More information
Outdoor Photography
This practical handbook covers digital outdoor photography and the whole range of outdoor activities including walking, running, cycling, water sports (in and on the water), as participant or spectator. Covers basic concepts, equipment and processing and optimising your images back at base.
More information
