Stage 1: Stickle Ghyll to Stake Pass

From the car park, head across the patio of Lanty Slee’s (the pub that says ‘sticklebarn’ outside it…), and continue until the lane on the other side. Turn left, following signs to the Cumbria Way: this section of the walk follows the Way all the way out of Great Langdale. Following the Way to the west, we walk along the fell side of a drystone wall that marks the end of Great Langdale’s enclosed fields. The path passes several barns and a farm but continues straight until it emerges onto the floor of the upper reaches of Langdale (an area called Mickleden). Here it keeps to the right of Mickleden Beck, before crossing a wooden footbridge over to a sheepfold. At the sheepfold, head north (the westerly path leads up to Rosset Pike ans eventually Scafell Pike). The path is steep and slow going for around 1 km, before it levels out in Langdale Combe and then emerges onto Stake Pass. Stop at a pile of stones to the right of the path.

Stage 2: Stake Pass to the Pikes

At the pile of stones on Stakes Pass, we need to take a southerly path (nearly back where we came from) that is not a public right of way, so it is less trodden (and therefore harder to find). It is usually possible to see the path we need by climbing up onto the mound behind the pile of stones and looking south, but if not some help from a GPS device is invaluable. The path heads up past the high point of Matrctag Moor so if it is not obvious you can head uphill cross-country and should cross the path eventually. From Martvrag Moor it is important otherwise to stray too far to the right as the crowns becomes steep and craggy – not worth falling down. Once you are on it, the path leads neatly to the back of Pike of Stickle.

Stage 3: Langdale Pikes

Approached from this direction, the most interesting of the Langdale Pikes is the Pike of Stickle, which can be climbed with a short but relatively exposed scramble. Make your way round the crag, to the viewpoint on its eastern side, and the path to the top can be found on the right-hand side as you look at the crag. There is also the possibility to go straight up a grassy gulley from the viewpoint, but I’d recommend the right-side route. Views from the top are excellent but beware of the steep drop at the front.

Stage 4: Return to Langdale

Once you’ve admired the Langdale Pikes thoroughly, continue eastwards. After a few hundred metres you’ll see the path making its way across a small, open valley, slightly to the left. It crosses a small stream before rising a little bit and reaching a T junction. We need to take the right-hand path, which stays in the eastern side of the stream before making its way out and down over Thorn Crag. The views over Dungeon Ghyll to the right are as spectacular as the sheer drop is terrifying. The path is then very straightforward to follow as it leads down the hill and straight back to the car park.