The Langdale Pikes, is an iconic walk in the Central Lake District.
And for those bagging Wainwrights, this hike takes in: Loft Crag, Pike of Stickle, Harrison Stickle, Pavey Ark, Thunacar Knott, High Raise, Sergeant Man, Stickle Tarn
Stats
| Difficulty | Moderate + to strenuous |
| Length | 7 mi – 11.3 km |
| Total elevation | 2,960 ft – 620m |
| Highest point | 2,500 ft – 762m |
| Walking time | c. 5h00 |
| Terrain | Hiking paths, footpaths and some light scrambling |
| Equipment | Layers, layers, layers ! The top can get exposed to wind-chill and plenty of water (Although You will cross some ghyll / stream after c. 2 miles, 4.5 miles, 5 miles, 5.5 miles, and will be following the ghyll again from the 6th mile onward) – Good sturdy shoes as some parts are bit scrambly (no technical skills required) and some parts can be muddy. |
View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
Getting there
- Driving: The National Trust car park at the Langdales is free to members but expensive otherwise. The New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel has a spill over in its adjacent field that is the cheaper than the NT car-park and open to anyone (you don’t have to be a guest)
- Public transport: Sadly, the walk is not easily accessible by public transport.
- It takes about an hour and 2 busses from Windermere
Watering Holes
- The New Dungeon Ghyll – Langdale – at the beginning or end of the walk.
Owned by the Red Cat Pub Company
For sunny days; there are some seating in front of the hotel and further seating in the 6 acres garden with some deck chairs and stunning views of Crinkle Crags. For the cooler day; the Walker’s bar is open to non-residents and has a wood-burning fire.
It serves its own branded ales as well as other locally brewed ales. And the food is locally sourced.
Expect pub classics as well as gastro-pub type dishes served from 12:00 daily
You can also grab breakfast or a cup of coffee before setting off as Stickle Barn does not open before 10 am. - Stickle Barn – Langdale – at the beginning or end of the walk.
Taken over from the National Trust by Lanty Slee in May 2024; the company has spent renovating the property.
They have a free tuk-tuk service from 16:00-21:00 to the NT campsite. And live music on some nights.
Some local ales served in the bar, the beer-garden or the cute and shaded family friendly outdoors area.
Delicious cakes throughout the day and American type menu.
Make a week-end of it – Where to stay and eat
The Langdales is walker’s paradise for a week-end. You could enjoy this particular hike on one day, and take it easy the next day with my low-level walk around the Langdales the next day: https://peregrinatenw.co.uk/2024/08/13/great-and-little-langdale-a-low-level-lake-district-walk-with-4-pubs-1-swim-and-a-cathedral/
But you will find countless other options if you fancy something easier / shorter or more technical (like Jack’s Rake or rock-climbing).
Unlike Ambleside or Keswick; this would be an outdoor pursuit only week-end. There are a few options nearby for food and drinks but no shopping there.
For a luxury stay: The New Dungeon Ghyll – Langdales
It offers comfortable rooms in a mix of double, twins and family rooms.
For groups: The Great Langdale Bunkhouse – behind the New Dungeon Ghyll
Sleeps 18 divided into 3 twin rooms and two rooms of 6 (all bunk beds).
Equipped with biomass central heating and hot water with powerful showers.
Separate male and female shows and toilet facilities.
There are no self-catering options but a tavern, the New Dungeon Ghyll and Stickle Barn on its doorstep.
For a cosy B&B or self-catering for up to 6 people: Millbeck Farm – Langdale
A beautiful 17th centrury farm-building. (Actually still a working farm!) And the owners breed Herdies.
Basic rooms with shared bathrooms at the B&B. With delicious and substantial breakfast.
They also rent 2 rustic cottages that can accommodate 6 in total (Double, twin and bunk room)
Peregrinating the North West and Beyond 
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