| ‘A’ Walk |
| Distance: 8 miles |
| Ascent: 3000 ft |
| Leaders: |
| Lynn Smith |
| Gordon Spence |
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An exhilarating ridge walk, with birds-eye views of the ring of fells enclosing Great Langdale. In addition, given good visibility there are stunning views of all The Lake District’s highest peaks.
We start and finish with a short road walk. Much of the ascent to Red Tarn, and descent from Three Tarns on The Band, is on good paths with long runs of stone steps.
The ridge walk starts at Great Knott, on to the summits of the five Crinkle Crags and Shelter Crag.
The terrain is rough in general with short sharp ascents to boulder strewn summits so the going will be slow.
A couple of short stretches require the use of hands and a small degree of exposure, these and The Bad Step can be mostly avoided by short detours as desired. In poor weather the walk presents greater risks and a substitute walk will take place.
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| ‘B+’ Walk |
| Distance: 10 miles |
| Ascent: 1600 ft |
| Leaders: |
| Dave Kneale |
Helen Kneale |
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An energetic walk around the scenic Langdale valleys.
This walk takes us through varied countryside and though much of the way is on excellent tracks, a few sections are boggy and / or rocky.
There are several moderate climbs and a number of stiles to cross. Strong waterproof boots are essential.
The walk starts in the village of Elterwater where there are public toilet facilities (20p).
From there we head north-west following Great Langdale Beck until swinging southwards through Burlington slate quarry then climbing gradually through wooded hills into Little Langdale.
Heading south-east we take in the hamlet of Hacket then onto Colwith, eventually tuning west to pass beneath Great How, through Strang End and onto a woodland track towards High Tilberthwaite.
The path then leads us back through extensive and long disused quarries to Low Hall Garth.
Passing near to Little Langdale Tarn we cross the valley then gradually climb, passing by ‘Castle Howe’ before turning northward across Blea Moss and into woodland surrounding Blea Tarn.
From the tarn we follow a good track until we meet the road at the pass beneath Side Pike then descend into Great Langdale.
Turning north-east we pass along the valley eventually joining the Cumbria Way at Side House to cross the beck and main road.
From there it’s a short stride to the coach at the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel……and well-earned refreshments.
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| ‘B’ Walk |
| Distance: 8.5 miles |
| Ascent: 900 ft |
| Leaders: |
| Trevor Ludlow |
Linda Trolope |
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| This linear walk begins at Skelwith Bridge and starts by following the Cumbria Way, through attractive wild meadows and woodland to Colwith Force waterfall.
We will stop here for our morning break. We then gradually climb out of the woods to skirt round Great How, with views over Little Langdale to Lingmoor Fell.
We will then follow Pierce How Beck in woodland, before returning to Little Langdale though Moss Rigg Wood.
This takes us to Slater Bridge (a 17th century pack horse bridge over the River Brathay), where we stop for lunch.
For the afternoon we take paths though fields gradually ascending to Howe Banks and Sawrey’s Wood, the highest point of the walk.
The final section of the walk descends out of the wood into the Langdale Valley, to contour along the valley side to Oak Howe, for our afternoon stop.
We then rejoin the Cumbria Way, to finish at The New Dungeon Gill. |
| ‘C’ Walk |
| Distance: 7 miles |
| Ascent: 700 ft |
| Leaders: |
| Tony Nunn |
| Denise Nunn |
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| Starting from the pretty hamlet of Elterwater (toilets 20p coin) we follow the level Cumbria Way south east to Skelwith Force Waterfall.
A gentle climb on good paths then takes us to Colwith Force Waterfall and a downhill walk to Little Langdale Tarn and the ancient Slater Bridge (an old Packhorse bridge).
A short pull uphill takes us into the main Langdale valley where we follow bridleways to the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel and Stickle Barn (NT) for refreshments, toilets (free) and the coach.
The scenery is varied – rivers, waterfalls, tarns, woods (Bluebells and Wild Garlic in early May), and excellent views of the Langdale hills and waterfalls. Paths are good and the short uphill sections will be taken at an easy pace.
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