Langdale Pikes The compact group of peaks that form the Langdale Pikes are amongst the most easily recognisable mountains in the Lake District. Viewed from Langdale their flanks are craggy and appear very steep, the sort of territory that appeals to climbers rather than walkers. However this is something of an illusion, for although there are plenty of crags to keep climbers happy the fells that lay between them are not as steep as they first appear - a trick of perspective. This provides adventurous walking in a very dramatic setting. This relatively short walk reaches the main summits of the Langdale Pikes and is a superb introduction to the whole Langdale Valley. Grade: Moderate Start/Finish: New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel Car Park, GR NY294063 Distance: 4.6 miles (7.5km) Time: 3 - 4 hours Height gain: 772m Terrain: Steep fellside, crags, high hanging corrie, rocky summits, scree covered back-wall, tarn-filled corrie and rocky gill. Maps: OS Landranger 90, OS Explorer OL 6, Harveys' Superwalker (1:25 000 Lakeland Central). 1. From the North end of the car park by the side of the hotel/toilet block take the path towards Stickle Ghyll around the walls to a junction at the edge of the trees. Leave the Stickle Ghyll path and turn left and follow this path for 100m to another junction. This time turn right and climb up hill to yet another junction. Turn right again and head North up the steepening fellside. This path climbs the north side of Dungeon Ghyll and is followed North West across steep slopes to gain Harrison Combe between Harrison Stickle and Loft Crag - care is needed along the upper part of the path as there are steep drops into Dungeon Ghyll. 2. From Harrison Combe head South and make the short climb South to the summit of Loft Crag. 3. From Loft Crag head North West to gain the summit of Pike of Stickle. 4. From Pike of Stickle descend East into the middle section of Harrison Combe then continue East and climb to the summit of Harrison Stickle. 5. Pavey Ark lies to the North East and is reached by first descending North West to a col overlooking Stickle Tarn, then by heading North East around the top of the crags to gain the rocky summit. 6. From the summit of Pavey Ark back track to the col (South West) then descend the steep path East to gain the dam at the mouth of Stickle Tarn. From the dam cross then descend the northeast side of Stickle Ghyll to the footbridge half way down. Cross the footbridge then descend the southwest side to return to the car park at the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel. Walking route: Langdale Pikes Page 1 of 2 Map Walking route: Langdale Pikes Page 2 of 2 .