QMD Walks

Langdale Circular

Copyright Bill Fear 2018

The probably has more marked and well used paths than any other mountainous country in the UK making it difficult to get off the beaten track. It is also an extremely busy area and a lot of people get lost and get into difficulty. It is possible, with careful consideration, to get away from the crowds even on the paths and to find little used and less well known routes.

Relevant Maps include OS OL 6 (1:25), LR 89 & 90 (1:50), Harvey Lake District XT40 (1:40) Value for Money, Harvey Lake District Outdoor Atlas (mainly 1:40).

Distance: c. 17.5+ miles (There are additional options of summits throughout the route)

Going: Demanding. Some scrambling available depending on route. Lots of good quality paths and variations on route.

1. Start at Middle Farm NY284060. There are parking options including a few laybys along the way. You may have to walk a mile or so along the road to the Middle Fell Farm. Follow the PRoW to Stool End NY276056 and along Oxendale Beck CB 235. Continue on the PRoW past Hell Gill NY258055, CB 310, Buscoe, and on to Three Tarns NY248060. At Three Tarns TR CB 323 up to NY244064.

2. From Bowfell continue on towards Ore Gap NY243071, CB 352, then on to NY235074, CB 295. Stay on the ridge at BL at JNCT to go continue to the Cairns at NY230081, CB 323 . Continue on the PRoW BL to the cairn at Bield NY226080. TR and do an out and back to NY226083, CB 022 from JNCT at Bield.

3. Back at Bield TR and continue with PRoW to NY218075, CB 230. Continue on to Pike NY215072, CB 230. From descend on PRoW to Col NY210077, CB 323. From Lingmell Col do an out and back up to Lingmell summit NY209082, CB 323. Back at Lingmell Col TL CB 055 on Corridor Route.

4. OPTION TO INCLUDE SCAFELL. From Scafell Pike continue down to Mickledore NY210069, CB 240. TL CB 140 and follow PRoW down to gully at NY210066 c. 400m. TR up Gully CB 235 to Foxes Tarn NY209064. At Foxes Tarn make way to summit. PRoW is CB 325 to Symonds Knott NY207066 then TL CB 212 to Scafell NY206065. Other options to summit are available. From summit return to Symonds Knott and TL CB 303 down to Lords Rake NY205068. TR into Lords Rake CB 075 and descend. As you BL out of Lords Rake and descend TR after

1

scree slope CB 062 and make way across to main PRoW up to Mickledoor. At JNCT NY207070 take FP CB 005 across contours to JNCT with main PRoW up Scafell Pike NY208076. From JNCT make way up to Lingmell NY209081, CB 010 (OR to Lingmell Col) and back down to Lingmell Col NY211077 to join Corridor Route.

5. Continue on Corridor Route CB 055 then CB 025 all the way to the small JNCT at Spout Head NY221091 just after Skew Gill. BL CB 338 on FP at JNCT down to major JNCT at Sty Head NY218094. From Sty Head follow any one of the paths to do out and back up to NY211103, CB 320. Some Grade 1 scrambling options.

6. OPTION TO INCLUDE GREEEN GABLE. From Great Gable follow PRoW to Windy Gap NY214105, CB 049, and across up to NY214107. From Green Gable return to Windy Gap and TL CB 125 on PRoW down Aaron Slack to JNCT at Styhead Tarn NY221100. TL CB 215 back to major JNCT at Sty Head and TL CB100 up to Sprinkling Tarn (as per 7).

7. Back at Sty Head follow PRoW up to Sprinkling Tarn NY226090. Continue on PRoW past . There are a number of major JNCTS so keep on CB 125.

8. OPTION TO INCLUDE ALLEN CRAGS. At X JNCT with shelter NY235083, between Sprinkling Tarn and Angle Tarn, TL CB 025 on PRoW and do out and back to Allen Crags NY236085. Return to JNCT and TL CB 120 to go on to Angle Tarn.

9. Continue past Angle Tarn NY245077 and descend through the gap CB 150. NOTE: the PRoW traverses down but there is also a FP starting at NY248074 CB 110 and descending to rejoin the PRoW further down. This entire descent is slippery when wet.

10. The PRoW joins the Way at the FB NY261073. TR CB 132 and follow back to Middle Fell Farm.

2

Glossary BL - Bear Left BR - Bear Right CB - Compass Bearing FB – Footbridge FP - Footpath. Usually marked on 1:25 but not on 1:50 JNCT - Junction (paths/tracks cross/join) OA – Open Access PRoW - Public Right of Way. Usually marked on 1:25 and 1:50 Quad bike track - Two parallel lines going across the fell made by continued use by quad bike RHS – Right hand side LHS – Left hand side TL - Turn Left TR - Turn Right Track - A wide track that looks suitably for 4x4 vehicles

3