Langdale Pikes Round

Great Langdale (New Dungeon Ghyll) → Sergeant Man (4.2 km, 629 m)

Climb of about 629 m over 4.2 km (around 15% average).

Decision point: From the New Dungeon Ghyll / Stickle Barn car park follow the signed stone path up Stickle Ghyll, keeping the beck generally on your right and crossing on the made slab bridges; stay on the broadest, most engineered-looking route. At Stickle Tarn cross the dam at the outflow and contour the eastern (right-hand) side with the water on your left, then take the obvious walkers' path up the rough ground below Pavey Ark to the small rocky cairn of Sergeant Man.

Easy to get wrong: Steep but straightforward - avoid small trods into bracken. Do NOT take the steep, loose line heading directly into the cliffs above the tarn: that is Jack's Rake, a serious scramble that should be avoided. Sergeant Man is a key junction where several paths fan out, so note your line before moving on.

Sergeant Man → High Raise (High White Stones) (0.9 km, 47 m)

About 0.9 km with 47 m of ascent.

Decision point: From Sergeant Man's cairn follow the clearest path gently north-west, dropping a little onto grassier ground; pick up the intermittent old fence posts and the more worn trod, which lead to the broad summit dome of High Raise with its trig point and shelter.

Easy to get wrong: In poor visibility High Raise is not obvious. If you find yourself heading steeply down towards a tarn you have gone too far east - re-check your bearing.

High Raise (High White Stones) → Thunacar Knott (1.6 km, 34 m)

Descent of about 50 m over 1.6 km.

Decision point: From the trig point turn roughly south-east, back towards the Pikes, and pick up a faint but definite path across the grassy plateau (old fence posts mark the line) down to a shallow col and up to the modest summit cairn of Thunacar Knott.

Easy to get wrong: Don't drift too far right (towards Greenup Edge) or left (towards Easedale) - aim straight for the jumble of tops above Stickle Tarn. In mist the several knolls and trods are confusing; hold a steady line on the most-used path.

Thunacar Knott → Pavey Ark (0.6 km, 0 m)

Descent of about 45 m over 0.6 km.

Decision point: From Thunacar Knott head south-east towards Stickle Tarn and Pavey Ark on a clear, slightly stony path, weaving between rocky humps; aim for the higher ground above Pavey Ark, with a short detour right to the summit.

Easy to get wrong: You are moving back to the edge of the plateau - in poor visibility stay on the main trod and don't be drawn too far east onto steeper ground. The drops on Pavey Ark's north side are sheer, so keep well back from the edge, and take care not to start down Jack's Rake by mistake.

Pavey Ark → Harrison Stickle (1.1 km, 75 m)

Climb of about 75 m over 1.1 km (around 7% average).

Decision point: Face south-west towards Harrison Stickle and take the clear path leaving the summit area, dropping over rough grass and stones before climbing a flank of natural steps and rock shelves to the summit cairn.

Easy to get wrong: The trail is well trodden but rocky underfoot - watch your feet. You may need your hands occasionally for balance on the short steep pull, but it stays walking rather than scrambling if you keep to the main line.

Harrison Stickle → Pike of Stickle (1.0 km, 42 m)

About 1.0 km with 42 m of ascent.

Decision point: Descend north / north-west into Harrison Combe on the obvious path, then follow the often-cairned line across the grassy hollow and climb towards the dome of Pike of Stickle.

Easy to get wrong: The descent drops steeply over rocky steps that can be slick in the wet - take your time and don't cut corners. The final approach to Pike of Stickle is a short, hands-on scramble: keep three points of contact and choose clean rock over loose stones.

Pike of Stickle → Loft Crag (0.5 km, 2 m)

Undulating section of about 0.5 km.

Decision point: Carefully reverse the short scramble back down to the main path, then turn south-east along the high valley rim; the trod skirts the roughest ground and climbs gently to the cairn on Loft Crag, a fine balcony above Great Langdale.

Easy to get wrong: Take particular care reversing the scramble if you are tired - face into the rock and use your hands as needed; don't rush.

Loft Crag → Thorn Crag (0.2 km, 0 m)

Undulating section of about 0.2 km.

Decision point: Continue south / south-east on the clear path towards the wide grassy shoulder above Langdale, then look for a slightly fainter trod branching left that contours round and rises the last few metres onto the small rocky top of Thorn Crag.

Thorn Crag → Finish (2.2 km, 0 m)

Descent of about 536 m over 2.2 km.

Decision point: From Thorn Crag pick your way carefully south-east off the rocky top to rejoin the main pitched path below - the engineered Mark Gate route - and follow it all the way down to New Dungeon Ghyll, passing the fenced viewpoints for Dungeon Ghyll Force, to the wall and stiles by Stickle Barn where you started.

Easy to get wrong: The path is steep at first on stone steps and gravel before it eases onto greener, more level ground.