The Walk
Starting at the New Dungeon Ghyll car park at the head of Langdale, which is pay and display, so arrive early because parking is limited and at the time of writing the cost was £5 for the day. There is no roadside parking near the New or Old Dungeon Ghyll hotels however there is a National Trust car park opposite the New Dungeon Ghyll car park and I believe this is free if you are a member of the National Trust.

Leave the car park, turn left and walk along the road for a 1km until the signed track to Stool End is seen to your right. Continue down the road to the farm and immediately after passing though the farmyard turn right onto a smaller track which climbs steeply up the broad ridge of "The Band". This is steady climb and has had extensive restoration of the footpath which makes it less strenuous than it could have been. Continue this climb for 2km until the ridge levels out just after White Stones. The path ahead can be seen rising up and to the left to the col at Three Tarns. Down to your left you should be able to see one of the other tracks coming from Oxendale via Buscoe Sike also heading to meet your path at the Three Tarns. At the Three Tarns, the route turns sharp right and climbs up rock steps to a shoulder. Keep on the main path for about half a mile going round the Bowfell (902m) summit and eventually ascending it from the North.

 The views from the summit are breathtaking taking in the Langdales, the Langdale Pikes and over to Windermere, and more dramatically the imposing peaks of Scafell and Scafell Pike (978m) to the West. Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England with several routes to its summit is also probably one of the hardest climbs in England. On a clear day you should be able to see over to the Pennines in the East and the Isle of Man to the West.

Leave the summit heading north on a rocky path for half a mile where it veres west towards the Ore Gap, so named after a red vein of Haematite ore which stains the surface. Turn north here and follow the path to drop down the rear of Angle Tarn. The path here is fairly steep and rocky but quite passable. Follow the path around the western side of the tarn and join the path coming down from Esk Hause and head south east toward Rossett Gill. When you reach Angle Tarn, take the North easterly path on your left around the back of Rossett and Buck Pike instead of heading South towards Rossett Gill. Looking back along this part of the walk there are stunning views of the north east face of Bowfell giving you the chance to see your achievements so far.

The North Easterly route takes you behind Rossett Pike, Buck Pike over to Mansey Pike. The route here isn't too bad, but if there has been a hint of rain can become quite boggy in places. From Mansey Pike, the route drops down to the South East with views over to Pike of Stickle approximately 2km away. The footpath is well marked but occasionally passes through areas that is quite boggy and can make for heavy going, especially if it has been wet. Eventually, you make the pull up towards Pike of Stickle (709m) giving excellent views across Great Langdale towards Bowfell in the West and Crinkle Craggs in the South West.

Descend Pike of Stickle the same way you ascended and follow the path eastwards towards Harrison Stickle. This is quite a short path in comparison to the route so far and you quickly ascend Harrison Stickle (736m). This is quite an easy climb with a well-worn path heading for the peak but the walk will have taken its toll on your legs and it will feel worse than it really is.

The panoramic views from the top though are well worth it - across to the Old Man of Coniston in the south, Bowfell and the Scafells to the west and Windermere to the south east - just sit and drink it in.

Descend Harrison Stickle to the east and pick up the path heading north to Thunacar Knott. After a 100m you will come across a junction with a north easterly path leading to Pavey Ark. Follow this and almost immediately you will see a path descending down to Stickle Tarn which is better going down than coming up! Eventually this becomes a reasonable path heading down to the dam at the head of Stickle Ghyll.

The path down Stickle Ghyll is well marked and relatively easy, follow this back down to the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel passing numerous waterfalls for a welcome beer in the bar.

View Photos of our weekend here.