The Langdale Pikes Hike: Four Wainwrights From Great Langdale
Updated: 20 minutes ago
Langdale Pikes Hike Overview
Location: Great Langdale Valley, Lake District, Cumbria
Route Type: Circular walk
Distance: ~13 km (8 miles)
Time: 5–7 hours (depending on pace and stops)
Difficulty: Challenging
Wainwright Summits: Pike of Stickle, Loft Crag, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark
Terrain: Rocky, sometimes boggy, with steep ascents and optional scrambling sections
Start/Finish Point: Stickle Ghyll Car Park (LA22 9JU) - click to see on Google Maps.
Facilities: Toilets, Sticklebarn pub now known as Lanty Slee, nearby National Trust campsite
The Langdale Pikes hike is still one of my favourite days in the Lake District. This circular route starts with an easy walk through Great Langdale before climbing Stake Pass and crossing the high fells to Pike of Stickle, Loft Crag, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark. It finishes beside Stickle Tarn and descends to the valley via Stickle Ghyll.
The variety is what makes it special. You get a quiet valley approach, a long steady climb, four Wainwrights and wide views across some of the best-known fells in the Lakes. It is a difficult mountain walk rather than a beginner route, but it is a rewarding choice if you are comfortable with steep ground, rough paths and navigating on the open fell.
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Parking and facilities
The most convenient starting point is Stickle Ghyll car park in Great Langdale, beside the former Sticklebarn building. The postcode is LA22 9JU, but rural postcodes cover a broad area, so save the car park location or grid reference before travelling. Parking is limited on busy weekends and during school holidays, so arrive early and check the latest parking information and charges before setting off.
The car park has toilets. The former Sticklebarn pub now operates as Lanty Slee’s, although opening days and food service can change, so check before relying on it for your post-walk meal. The New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel is also nearby, and the Old Dungeon Ghyll is farther along the valley. Great Langdale Campsite is a good option if you want to stay local and start early.
Langdale Pikes route description
Walk through Great Langdale
From Stickle Ghyll car park, follow the Cumbria Way west through Great Langdale. The first section is roughly 4 km and gives your legs time to warm up before the main climb. The path is generally easy to follow, with the Langdale Pikes rising above the valley and Mickleden Beck close by. It is a lovely part of the route in its own right, so do not rush it.
Climb Stake Pass
The route climbs towards Stake Pass, and the gradient becomes much steeper. It looks intimidating from below, but the path gains height steadily. Take it at your own pace and turn around occasionally: the view back through Great Langdale gets better with every pause.
Cross Martcrag Moor to Pike of Stickle
At the top of Stake Pass, turn towards Martcrag Moor. This high section feels much more remote than the valley and can be wet underfoot. In mist, the line is less obvious and careful navigation matters. Pike of Stickle, sometimes written Pike o’ Stickle, is the first Wainwright. Reaching the summit involves a short, steep rocky section where you may need to use your hands.
More Hiking Routes
Loft Crag and Harrison Stickle
Continue from Pike of Stickle to Loft Crag, then climb Harrison Stickle, the highest of the Langdale Pikes at 736 m. This is one of my favourite parts of the walk. The rocky tops and small tarns make the plateau feel wild, and in clear weather the views stretch across Great Langdale and towards the central fells.
Pavey Ark
From Harrison Stickle, head north towards Thunacar Knott; you can add this Wainwright in if you like, but that makes it a long hike before turning east for Pavey Ark. The ground can be boggy, and the summit area has several paths, so this is another section where a map and compass matter if cloud comes down. Pavey Ark overlooks Stickle Tarn and gives you a dramatic final summit before the descent.
A note about Jack’s Rake: Jack’s Rake is an exposed Grade 1 scramble on Pavey Ark. It is not included in this GPX route. People with suitable scrambling experience normally tackle it as an ascent, in appropriate dry conditions. Do not treat it as the descent from Pavey Ark.
Descend to Stickle Tarn and Stickle Ghyll
Follow the GPX away from the exposed scramble lines and head down towards Stickle Tarn. Stop at the tarn if the weather allows; the view back to Pavey Ark is one of the best on the route. The final descent follows the constructed path beside Stickle Ghyll. It is clear but steep, rocky and hard on tired knees, especially after rain. The path returns directly to the car park.
How difficult is the Langdale Pikes walk
I rate this route as difficult. The distance is manageable for many regular hillwalkers, but the 895 m of ascent, steep ground, rough terrain and long descent make it a demanding day. The plateau can also become confusing in cloud. I would not choose this as a first solo mountain walk unless you already have solid navigation skills and experience on similar terrain.
My OS Maps route shows 5 hours 1 minute, but you shouldn't treat that as a target. Allow 5 to 7 hours and build in time for food, photographs, route checks and changing conditions.
Walking the Langdale Pikes solo
The Langdale Pikes are popular, so you are unlikely to have every summit to yourself in good weather. That can feel reassuring when you are building confidence. However, the long approach through the valley, Martcrag Moor and the summit plateau all deserve proper preparation. Never rely on phone signal as your only safety plan.
Check the mountain forecast as well as the valley forecast before leaving.
Carry a paper map and compass and know how to use them. OS Explorer OL6 covers the route.
Download the route for offline use, but keep a non-digital backup.
Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.
Carry waterproofs, warm layers, food, water, a charged phone and an emergency shelter.
Turn back if the weather, visibility or terrain feels beyond your experience.
Navigation and GPX
I planned and followed this route using OS Maps. The public route includes the complete circular line, the elevation profile and the exact distance and ascent. Download it before you travel because signal can be unreliable in the valley and on the fell.
Open my route: The Langdale Pikes route on OS Maps
Get OS Maps: 👉 Get OS Maps here
My experience of the Langdale Pikes
This remains my favourite Lake District hike. I love the way it begins quietly in the valley and gradually becomes a proper mountain day. Stake Pass gives you a real sense of earning the height, then the five summits arrive one after another. By the time I reached Stickle Tarn, the route felt complete rather than simply finished.
It is challenging, but it also gives you space to take your time. There are plenty of places to stop for a coffee, eat something and look back at how far you have come. For me, that mix of effort, independence and time outdoors is exactly what a great solo hike should offer.
Langdale Pikes frequently asked questions
How many Wainwrights are on this route
This route includes five Wainwrights: Pike of Stickle, Loft Crag, Harrison Stickle, Thunacar Knott and Pavey Ark.
Does the route include Jack’s Rake?
No. The GPX does not use Jack’s Rake. Jack’s Rake is an exposed Grade 1 scramble and should not be mistaken for the ordinary walking descent from Pavey Ark.
Can beginners walk the Langdale Pikes?
This is not an ideal first mountain walk. A fit beginner may complete it with an experienced hillwalker in good conditions, but the route requires stamina, confident navigation and comfort on steep, rocky ground.
What map covers the Langdale Pikes
OS Explorer OL6 covers the south-western Lake District, including Great Langdale and the Langdale Pikes. Carry the paper map even if you also use the OS Maps app.
When is the best time to walk the Langdale Pikes?
Choose a day with a settled mountain forecast and good visibility, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the route. In winter, snow and ice can turn this into a mountaineering objective requiring additional skills and equipment.
More Lake District routes
If you enjoyed this guide, explore my other Lake District walking routes, including the Fairfield Horseshoe and Helvellyn without Striding Edge. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter for new walks, solo hiking advice, camping guides and realistic outdoor inspiration.
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