Great & Little Langdales from New Dungeon Ghyll

Lake District Walk

Walk Route Description

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Packed with stunning landscapes and lofty fells this Lake District 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.

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.

Walk GradingMore Lake District Walks

Other walks nearby

Walk 2042	Langdale Pikes with an ascent of Jack's Rake	very hard	6.3 miles
Walk 2073	Harrison Stickle, Pike o'Stickle & Rosset Pike	moderate	8.3 miles
Walk 1736	Langdale Pikes and High Raise from New Dungeon Ghyll	mod/hard	6.1 miles
Walk 1132	Great Langdale & The Crinkle Crags from Old Dungeon Ghyll	mod/hard	7.0 miles
Walk 1157	Bowfell and Esk Pike from Old Dungeon Ghyll	hard	8.8 miles