Langdale Skyline - Thursday 30 April 2026
Route
Elterwater - Lingmoor Fell - Side Pike - Pike O'Blisco - Red Tarn - Great Knott - Crinkle Crags - Shelter Crags - Shelter Crags North Top - Three Tarns - Bowfell - Ore Gap - Angle Tarn - Rossett Pike - Stake Pass - Langdale Combe - Martcrag Moor - Pike O'Stickle - Loft Crag - Harrison Stickle - Pavey Ark - Sergeant Man - Blea Rigg - Silver How - Elterwater
Parking
The National Trust Car Park at Elterwater (Charge but free for NT Members). The Grid Reference is NY 32777 04772 and the nearest postcode is LA22 9HP.
Mileage
22.6 miles
Terrain
Well established mountain paths for the most part
Weather
Very warm with welcome strong breezes for most of the day. The visibility throughout the day was excellent.
Time Taken
15hrs
Total Ascent
8200ft (2500m)
Wainwrights
13 - although some members of the group added in Cold Pike
Map
OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
OL7 - The English Lakes (South Eastern Area)
Walkers
Dave with members of Lakeland Meet Ups
Elterwater - Lingmoor Fell - Side Pike - Pike O'Blisco - Red Tarn - Great Knott - Crinkle Crags - Shelter Crags - Shelter Crags North Top - Three Tarns - Bowfell - Ore Gap - Angle Tarn - Rossett Pike - Stake Pass - Langdale Combe - Martcrag Moor - Pike O'Stickle - Loft Crag - Harrison Stickle - Pavey Ark - Sergeant Man - Blea Rigg - Silver How - Elterwater
Parking
The National Trust Car Park at Elterwater (Charge but free for NT Members). The Grid Reference is NY 32777 04772 and the nearest postcode is LA22 9HP.
Mileage
22.6 miles
Terrain
Well established mountain paths for the most part
Weather
Very warm with welcome strong breezes for most of the day. The visibility throughout the day was excellent.
Time Taken
15hrs
Total Ascent
8200ft (2500m)
Wainwrights
13 - although some members of the group added in Cold Pike
Map
OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
OL7 - The English Lakes (South Eastern Area)
Walkers
Dave with members of Lakeland Meet Ups
GPX Files
From 1 March 2025 GPX files will not be available directly from the walk page as there is difficulty in using a downloadable version from the website. To that end, if you require a GPX File please get in touch via the Contact Form below and we will gladly forward it to you - thank you.
From 1 March 2025 GPX files will not be available directly from the walk page as there is difficulty in using a downloadable version from the website. To that end, if you require a GPX File please get in touch via the Contact Form below and we will gladly forward it to you - thank you.
Route Map
Early morning in Elterwater as we set out on one of Lakeland's classic routes and one I have had on my radar for quite a while. The weather today was virtually perfect - a tad warmer than I would have liked however we were blessed with strong breezes on occasion which took the edge off the heat.
This would no doubt be an extremely tough day but we were dealt good cards with the conditions therefore read on to see how we got on
This would no doubt be an extremely tough day but we were dealt good cards with the conditions therefore read on to see how we got on
From the village we were off up Lingmoor Fell first therefore after crossing Great Langdale Beck, we headed south along the road. Just before The Eltermere Inn a road leaves to the right which heads steeply uphill. The road is the start of a cycle route to Coniston and eventually becomes a rough track.
Someone was clearly looking forward to the day as we head through Sawrey’s Wood
Emerging from the wood, Floki sniffs the way ahead as we pass through a large area of slate spoil. Years ago this area of Langdale would have been a hive of activity due to the number of slate quarries dotted here and there.
Elterwater Quarry from the large area of slate spoil. The quarry is now operated by Burlington Stone who produce the distinctive pale green slate known for its toughness.
Looking down on Chapel Stile with upper Langdale over to the left
Further on from the large area of spoil, a path leaves on the left signposted to Lingmoor & Side Pike
The path heads up the fell side to approach Lingmoor Fell’s east ridge and gives fine views back over Langdale
Looking over the Blea Rigg to Silver How ridge to the Fairfield Horseshoe with Red Screes & Ill Bell over to the right
After a steep ascent to the ridge line, the path reaches a slate seat which gives a fine view over to Wetherlam
The route then handrails a boundary wall & fence to reach the rocky outcrop of Brown How, the summit of Lingmoor Fell. The cairned summit is accessed by crossing the fence via a stile.
The glorious panorama from the summit of Lingmoor Fell - l to r Wetherlam, Swirl How, Great Carrs, Pike O’Blisco, Crinkle Crags, Bowfell & The Langdale Pikes
Looking along the ridge line to The Langdale Pikes
The summit cairn on Lingmoor Fell looking to Wetherlam, Swirl How & Great Carrs
Lingmoor Tarn with the Helvellyn Range dominating the backdrop
Blea Tarn from the approach to Side Pike with Wetherlam to the left, Kettle Crag centre & Pike O’Blisco to the right
Continuing alongside the wall as we approach Side Pike. There is no reasonably safe access up the eastern face of the fell - the approach is made by contouring around to the left via The Squeeze and heading up the west ridge.
Looking back along the ridge line to Lingmoor Fell
The Squeeze on Side Pike, the gap of which is the big rock to the right of the walker - glad to say that everyone in the group made it through the small gap without any issues
The approach to The Squeeze - rucksack off unless you are built like a 1 Iron or a racing snake!
The Squeeze from the western side
Pike O’Blisco from the summit of Side Pike
The Langdale Pikes with the buildings of Old Dungeon Ghyll below
The Band centre above Stool End Farm with Bowfell beyond and Crinkle Crags to the left
From Side Pike’s summit the route drops steeply to the road coming up from Langdale that leads to Little Langdale or the Wrynose Pass. We were now off to Pike O’Blisco which is centre left above Kettle Crag.
Crossing Redacre Gill as we start to climb
The climb to Pike O’Blisco is relentless - or so it felt. Here we are having a breather and looking back down our route of ascent to Side Pike & Lingmoor Fell.
The summit of Pike O’Blisco looking to The Langdale Pikes
Descending from Pike O’Blisco to the col with Red Tarn out of shot to the left. In the distance is Cold Pike with Little Stand beyond. At this point some of the group left for Cold Pike whilst the rest of us headed for Great Knott which is over to the right - again just out of shot.
Red Tarn comes into view now as we near the col. The route to both Cold Pike, Great Knott & Crinkle Crags can be seen heading to the right. Whilst it may look like the best way to Cold Pike is straight up the middle from here, it is easier to continue on the path towards Crinkle Crags and then turn left up the ridge line going from right to left.
Great Knott, Crinkle Crags & Bowfell from the descent of Pike O'Blisco
Red Tarn with the Coniston Fells beyond
Looking back to Pike O’Blisco as we begin the ascent to Great Knott
Great Knott from the Crinkle Crags path. It’s my bet that walkers heading to either Cold Pike, Crinkle Crags or Pike O’Blisco give this lovely fell a miss, simply because it isn’t a Wainwright.
Crinkle Crags & Bowfell from Great Knott
Up on the summit of the first of 5 Crinkles - the South Top with a superb view over to the Scafell Range
Off to number 2, Long Top which is the summit of Crinkle Crags
Looking to the an area on Long Top known as the "Bad Step”. One of our group can be seen going up via this route - to be honest it is not too difficult a scramble but if it is not for you then there is an easy path around to the left hand side. The Bad Step can be found at Grid Reference NY 24907 04772 and once climbed a simple walk around to the left leads to the summit. There is a gully to the left of the Bad Step but this is blocked by two huge chockstones.
Another cracking view over to the Scafells, this time from Long Top, the summit of Crinkle Crags. Left to right are Slight Side, Long Green, Scafell, Mickledore, Scafell Pike, Broad Crag & Ill Crag.
With the group on the summit of Crinkle Crags
(Photograph courtesy of David Johnson)
(Photograph courtesy of David Johnson)
The small tarn on the summit of Crinkle Crags which offers a fine view to Scafell, Mickledore, Scafell Pike, Broad Crag, Ill Crag, Great End, Esk Pike & Bowfell
Looking to the First Crinkle from the summit of Crinkle Crags (Long Top)
Great Knott from Long Top with the Coniston Fells beyond
The summit of Crinkle Number 3..................
................... and Crinkle Number 4
The summit of the Fifth Crinkle (or Number 1 if you are coming the other way)
Looking back along Crinkle Crags from the 5th Crinkle
The summit of Shelter Crags
The summit of Shelter Crags North Top
Bowfell, Links & Three Tarns from the descent of Shelter Crags North Top
As we approached Three Tarns there is a lovely body of water to the right of the main path - if you didn’t know it was there you would ordinarily walk right past it. Floki used it as his own private plunge pool.
Crinkle Crags & Three Tarns from the beginning of the ascent of Bowfell. The path heading away to the left leads to The Band and back to Langdale.
The top of the Great Slab on Bowfell
The Great Slab is a large, tilted and surprisingly smooth sheet of volcanic rock. It lies a few yards off the main path to Bowfell coming up from Three Tarns. I am entirely convinced that many people climbing Bowfell are completely unaware of its existence and just pass it on by. There is a path over to the left which can be taken that leads to the Climber's Traverse - so called because it gives climbers easy access to Bowfell Buttress from Langdale. If the rock is dry then it is a pleasant but steep gradient and therefore walkers if they choose can stay on the slab either in ascent or descent rather than the stony path. However if the rock is wet then the rocky path should be used.
The Great Slab is a large, tilted and surprisingly smooth sheet of volcanic rock. It lies a few yards off the main path to Bowfell coming up from Three Tarns. I am entirely convinced that many people climbing Bowfell are completely unaware of its existence and just pass it on by. There is a path over to the left which can be taken that leads to the Climber's Traverse - so called because it gives climbers easy access to Bowfell Buttress from Langdale. If the rock is dry then it is a pleasant but steep gradient and therefore walkers if they choose can stay on the slab either in ascent or descent rather than the stony path. However if the rock is wet then the rocky path should be used.
The summit of Bowfell looking to Crinkle Crags - the actual summit is the rib of rock to the right
Looking over Pike de Bield to the Scafell Range - l-r Long Green, Scafell, Mickledore, Broad Crag & Ill Crag
Zooming in on the Scafells - Broad Stand on Scafell to the left, Mickledore, Scafell Pike & Broad Crag. The ravine running up from centre to the right is Little Narrowcove which leads to Broad Crag col.
(Photograph courtesy of David Johnson)
(Photograph courtesy of David Johnson)
Looking to Esk Pike from Ore Gap
From Ore Gap the route descends to join the path coming up from Rossett Pike heading to Esk Hause. Angle Tarn can be seen below with Rossett Pike above it & the Langdale Pikes beyond - all of which were on our route back to Elterwater.
Angle Tarn with Hanging Knotts on Bowfell beyond
Hanging Knotts on Bowfell North Top from the climb to Rossett Pike - Great Slab can be seen to the left of centre
The summit of Rossett Pike looking to the Langdale Pikes
Looking over Langstrath to Glaramara from the eastern cairn on Rossett Pike's summit ridge
The group on the eastern cairn of Rossett Pike
Mickleden with the Langdale Pikes over to the left with Lingmoor Fell & Side Pike in the centre distance
Crossing Martcrag Moor to Pike O'Stickle which can be seen centre right
The northern face of Pike O'Stickle
Harrison Stickle over Harrison Combe from the ascent of Pike O'Stickle
The summit of Pike O'Stickle looking to Loft Crag, Lingmoor Fell, the Coniston Fells & Pike O'Blisco
Looking down the scree ravine from the col between Pike O'Stickle & Loft Crag
Pike O'Stickle from the col
The summit of Loft Crag with Pike O'Stickle beyond
Harrison Stickle from Loft Crag with Pavey Ark beyond
(Photograph courtesy of David Johnson)
(Photograph courtesy of David Johnson)
Still smiling after a long day - the group on the summit of Harrison Stickle. We still had a fair way to go before we reached Elterwater.
The summit of Pavey Ark
The summit of Thunacar Knott looking to Pavey Ark
Stickle Tarn comes into view as we head to Sergeant Man with Pavey Ark over to the right
The summit of Sergeant Man with Codale Head beyond
Another view of Stickle Tarn & Pavey Ark as we head to Blea Rigg from Sergeant Man. By this time we were all starting to feel a bit tired however the gloves were clearly off and even though we had only two summits, by now I knew we would be coming down off Silver How in the dark.
The summit of Blea Rigg - our penultimate summit on this fantastic walk
Looking towards Silver How from the summit of Blea Rigg with the moon now making an appearance. We all agreed that it was a magical experience walking to Silver How by the light of the moon - it was just superb.
(Photograph courtesy of David Johnson)
(Photograph courtesy of David Johnson)
The Great Langdale Skyline from near Raw Pike
(Photograph courtesy of David Johnson)
(Photograph courtesy of David Johnson)
The summit of Silver How by head torch with the Helvellyn & Fairfield ranges in silhouette beyond. From here it was deep concentration on the nav to get everybody down as quickly as possible. This was the only walk I had completed whereby I had missed last orders at the pub!
For anyone contemplating undertaking this route please be aware that this is an extremely challenging day out.
For anyone contemplating undertaking this route please be aware that this is an extremely challenging day out.