Walk Langdale Pikes, Lake District, Cumbria, England

Famous walk passing by Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle, Pike of Stickle and the well-known scrambling Jack’s Rake.

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Langdale Pikes walk information:

  • Distance: 14 km
  • Duration: Around 7h with plenty of breaks
  • Ascent: 634m
  • Level: Hard
  • Car park: There are three car parks with different prices near the pub New Dungeon Ghyll. If you are National Trust member there is a free car park, otherwise price is between £5-7 for the day. Ambleside, LA22 9JY
  • Dog friendly: Yes most of the walk except the section by Jack’s Rake. You will have to use a different path to go to Pavey Ark.
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That Saturday, Matthieu wanted to go to the centre of Lake District. As we live in the northwest edge of the national park, the Grasmere and Ambleside areas are not really our playground and we still have a lot to discover. I had just seen in my hiking magazine a walk in this valley I suggested it to Matthieu and my friend.

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The Langdale Valley is very touristy, and this hike is one of the most popular in the area. It goes through the peaks of Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle and Pike of Stickle and descends by Langdale Comb. We have chosen to climb to Pavey Ark through Jack’s Rake which is a level 1 scrambling but beware this path is not for everyone. I would not recommend using this path if you have never done any scrambling/climbing before. Pavey Ark is in any case easily accessible following the right path along Bright Beck.

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Once at the top, we arrived on a plateau from where the view was absolutely magnificent. It is possible to go from one peak to another without too much difficulty before descending along a wide path that goes through Langdale Comb.

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Matthieu added Loft Crag to his list that day, my friend and I decided to go straight to Pike of Stickle because we were starting to get tire.

It was a tiring day for the body, mentally challenging with Jack’s Rake scramble but it is an exceptional day. We all loved it and were delighted to have done it.

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Beginning of Jack’s rake

Here are the key steps to do this hike:

  • From the car park take the path that goes up towards Stickle tarn. Once at Stickle tarn turn right and continue straight until you cross the river (for the second time). If you decide to take the easy path, follow the one that goes straight along Bright Beck then up towards Pavey Ark. (If you turn left on the path around the lake and up to Jake’s Rake, be careful as the climb to Jake’s Rake is not very visible, follow this narrow path to the top of Pavey Ark. Be careful it is not accessible to all hikers)
  • Once at the top of Pavey Ark, take towards Harrison Stickle. Then you can either go straight towards Pike of Stickle or take the path to the left that goes to Loft Crag before heading towards Pike of Stickle. To get to the top of Pike of Stickle you will have to do some scrambling, but it is accessible and not too dangerous.
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  • Go down from Pike of Stickle following the path on the left. Continue for a long time on this path before reaching a kind of plateau and see a smaller path that goes to the left just before a small pond on the right. Take this path that goes down to the bottom of the valley. Once at the intersection with a wider path (Cumbrian Way) turn left. Continue on this path to the village.
  • Cross the village and go towards the national B5343. After passing a stone bridge, take the path (signposted New Dungeon Ghyll car park) on the left which goes through the fields. Follow this path to the car park.

Do you know this hike? And this valley?

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Find all our dog friendly walks in the Lake District National Park in this page. To discover the United Kingdom it is here.

7 thoughts on “Walk Langdale Pikes, Lake District, Cumbria, England

  1. An excellent walk. Looks like a grand day for it too
    You’re brave ( ou peut etre un peu fou? 😉) to tackle Jack’s Rake! We took the easier way up when we climbed Pavey Arc a few years ago. But lots of people do brave Jack’s Rake. I’m getting too old and don’t have a good head for heights, and am keen to make it to retirement 😂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was a nice day a bit windy but still nice. Yes maybe we are a bit crazy to do Jack’s Rake but it was an amazing experience. Maybe one day you will do it if you are with professional.

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