Route: Loft Crag and Pike o’Stickle
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 24th April 2014
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 7.7 miles
Weather: cloudy with sunny spells, improved later, warm
When we first started coming to the Lake District many years ago, we used to stay in the Langdale area, and the sight of the Langdale Pikes as we drove into the valley was always a great thrill
Today the Pikes were in the clouds as I parked opposite the New Dungeon Ghyll, but they showed signs of lifting so it was on with the walk. I followed the popular path up to Loft Crag, though I’d made an early start so only saw a couple of other walkers on the way
The ridge walk to Pike o’Stickle was straightforward, though the last section involved a small scramble. Getting down from the rocky top involved some undignified bottom shuffling but once down it was an easy walk back across Martcrag Moor, and then along the Cumbria Way, with fabulous views of Mickleden accompanying me all the way down
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The start of the walk, Loft Crag ahead but out of sight in the clouds
Looking into Great Langdale - I’ll be returning that way later on
Onwards and upwards towards Loft Crag
Great Langdale
Dungeon Ghyll
Looking back down to the start
Looking further up Dungeon Ghyll
Stool End at the end of Great Langdale
The Band leading up to Bowfell
Blea Tarn comes into view
Windermere in the background
Pike o’Stickle from Loft Crag, with Great End and Great Gable in the background
The Band and Crinkle Crags
Looking back to Loft Crag from Pike o’Stickle
Bowfell
Looking down to Rossett Gill
Martcrag Moor
Heading across the moor - Skiddaw can be seen in the background
On the Cumbria Way now and descending towards Mickleden
Mickleden and its beck, with Pike o’Stickle up on the left
Mickleden
Looking back up to Pike o’Stickle
Sheepfold shortly before entering Great Langdale
Looking back along Mickleden and my descent route
Pike o’Stickle and Loft Crag
Great Langdale
A couple of climbers
Looking back along Great Langdale
Almost back to the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel at the start
Back to the start and a last look up to Loft Crag
