Langdale Skyline Walks
A WEEK OF HIGH-LEVEL WALKING IN THE SOUTH LAKE DISTRICT
£1095 single occupancy
4 nights, 3 full walking days and 2 half days
Grade: 5 - Challenging
- An area known for superb high-level walking including over the iconic Langdale Pikes and Fairfield Horse Shoe.
- A comfortable hotel base at the gateway to this stunning valley and only a 5 minute walk from the delightful Skelwith Force waterfall.
- Easy access along the valley bottom to the start and end of classic mountain walks.
- Our walks give expansive views over to Scafell Pike, out to sea, and along the length of Windermere lake and Coniston Water.
The holiday cost on a B&B & packed lunch basis with single en-suite accommodation of a double room is £1095 in 2027. If you are travelling with a friend or partner and would like to share a room, please contact us for cost and availability.
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Loughrigg Tarn
If you can, join us on the arrival day by 2 pm for a half day local walk to get to know the others in the group and stretch your legs after your journey.
[3 hours walking, 6 km]
Day 2 - The Langdale Pikes and Stakes Pass
Our first full day takes us into the heart of the Langdale Valley. Starting near New Dungeon Ghyll, we follow Stickle Gill steadily uphill, passing dramatic waterfalls before reaching beautiful Stickle Tarn. From here we climb onto the ridge and cross Pavey Ark, continuing over Harrison Stickle and then across to Pike o' Stickle.
The views from these celebrated summits are superb, looking down into Great Langdale and across to Bowfell and the surrounding mountains. We then leave the high ground via Stakes Pass, following the historic route back towards Great Langdale and our starting point.
This is a challenging but spectacular mountain day, combining steep climbs, rocky summits and one of the finest passes in the Langdale valley.
[7 hours walking including stops, 15 km]
Day 3 - The Fairfield Horseshoe
We begin at Rydal Hall, near Grasmere, climbing steeply onto Nab Scar, the first summit of this classic Lakeland horseshoe. From here we follow the impressive ridge over Heron Pike and Great Rigg towards Fairfield, with increasingly extensive views across the surrounding fells.
After reaching the broad summit of Fairfield, we continue along the eastern side of the horseshoe over Hart Crag and Dove Crag, before descending over High Pike and Low Pike. We then make our way down towards Ambleside and return to Rydal.
This is a magnificent full-day mountain walk, with a long sustained ascent at the beginning and plenty of high-level ridge walking.
[7 hours walking including stops, 17 km]
Day 4 - The Band and Crinkle Crags – approximately 9 miles
Today we head into Great Langdale for a spectacular walk over some of the southern Lake District's finest mountain terrain. We climb steadily up The Band, enjoying superb views back along Langdale and towards the Langdale Pikes. From the top we continue towards Three Tarns before crossing the dramatic ridge of Crinkle Crags.
The route takes us over a series of rocky tops, with short steep sections and some hands-on scrambling depending on the line taken. We then descend towards the valley, completing a magnificent circular route through some of the wildest scenery around Great Langdale. This is a demanding day requiring good fitness and sure-footedness.
[7 hours walking including stops, 14 km]
Day 5 - Dungeon Ghyll
A low level walk to enjoy the impressive cascades at Stickle Ghyll and the iconic Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. An opportunity to stretch the legs and soak up a last dose of scenery before we finish our programme by 1.30 pm.
[3-4 hours walking]
Please note that the above itinerary is subject to weather conditions being favourable. Walking times shown are approximations and may vary. Our aim, above all, is to make the right choice each day so that we enjoy the most appropriate route for the conditions.
Accommodation
We have chosen as our base the Skelwith Bridge Hotel, 2 miles from Ambleside in Cumbria. The hotel has a comfortable bar and lounge, and a spacious car park for customers. Accommodation is in single occupancy, double en-suite rooms, unless you arrange with us to share with a friend or partner.
Hotel postcode: LA22 9NJ
Windermere has the nearest train station and is well connected to the main West Coast line. From Windermere station it is a 25 minute bus ride to the hotel. The station is also well served by taxis.
To reach the hotel by public transport, take the train to Windermere station, from where the 516 bus take you directly to the hotel.
To arrive by car, leave the M6 at Jn 36. Then take the A591 to Ambleside and then the A593 to Skelwith Bridge.
