Rossett Pike, Allen Crags, Great End and more
Key facts
Difficulty profile
Five independent axes, not one score. “Desk” ratings come from maps and guidebooks, not yet walked — treat them as a guide, not a survey.
Conditions on this route
We score every Lakeland Wainwright each morning on cloud, wind, rain and underfoot, and this route crosses 5 of them. The worst summit governs the verdict — a route is only as kind as its roughest top.
Modelled guidance — not a substitute for the mountain forecast or your own judgement. See how every fell ranks today →
Daylight & turnaround
Daylight is short from October to February — check today’s sunrise and sunset before you set off, and carry a head-torch and spare batteries. On short days, decide your turn-back time before you start.
Why this matters: 78% of Mountain Rescue call-outs come after midday — the day runs out on the way home, not on the way up. See also walking in bad weather and today’s conditions.
1 Rossett Pike2 Allen Crags3 Great End4 Esk Pike5 Bowfell
Easy 51%Moderate 35%Hard 11%Severe 3%
Free mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap (switch layers top-right).
This walk covers about 17.74 km with around 1176 m of ascent, taking in 5 summits. The map above shows the line; the elevation profile and stage notes are below.
Access & barriers
Can a dog, a buggy or dodgy knees manage this route? A quick read from the gates and stiles mapped along the way.
- Dog: Gates and kissing gates only — a dog can do the whole route.
- Buggy: Stiles or rough going on the route.
- Knees: A long, steep ~45% drop around the 13.4 km mark — hard on the knees.
On the line: 15 gates · 3 kissing gates
These are mapped barriers, from OpenStreetMap — coverage in the Lakes is good but not guaranteed complete. Spotted a stile or gate we’ve missed? Tell us (opens in new tab) and we’ll fix it. Barrier data as of 2026-07-26. Access data © OpenStreetMap contributors (via Overpass).
Pacing
| Summit | Cumulative | Ascent | Time (fast–steady) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Rossett Pike | 5.6 km | 535 m | 2:00–2:40 |
| 2Allen Crags | 7.6 km | 736 m | 2:45–3:40 |
| 3Great End | 9.4 km | 917 m | 3:24–4:32 |
| 4Esk Pike | 11.3 km | 1051 m | 4:01–5:21 |
| 5Bowfell | 12.8 km | 1159 m | 4:30–5:58 |
| Finish | 17.7 km | 1176 m | 5:30–7:20 |
Naismith-based estimate — a fast/steady range. Your pace will vary. These use Naismith’s textbook constants (5 km/h, 600 m of ascent an hour). Measured against a pace fitted to 41 recorded Lakeland walks they run about 8% slow, and we have left them that way deliberately: a slow estimate strands nobody.
The walk, stage by stage
- 1
Start → Rossett Pike (5.6 km, 535 m)
Starting from the Old Dungeon Ghyll in Great Langdale, this route begins with a deceptively flat, 3-kilometre march straight up the glacially carved U-shaped valley of Mickleden. Upon reaching the head of the valley, the real work begins. The route branches left, tackling the infamous Rossett Gill path—a relentless, steep, stone-pitched staircase that zig-zags aggressively up the fellside. Nearing the top of the pass, the route cuts sharply right (north-east) off the main thoroughfare, crossing grassy and rocky ground to reach the summit of Rossett Pike
WaypointsOld Dungeon Ghyll / Mickleden: The flat, valley-bottom approach. Mickleden Beck Footbridge: The point where the flat walk ends and the climbing begins. Rossett Gill Pitched Path: The brutal stone staircase ascending the pass. Rossett Pike Summit (651m): A small cairn perched on the edge of the crags, looking directly back down into Langdale
Decision pointValley Walls: Mickleden is foolproof to navigate; you are boxed in by the Pike of Stickle to your right and Bowfell to your left. The Pitched Path: Once on the Rossett Gill path, it is an unmistakable structural handrail all the way to the top of the pass
Easy to get wrongThe Stairmaster: The pitched path up Rossett Gill is exhausting. In summer, this enclosed ravine traps the heat and offers zero breeze, making heat exhaustion a genuine risk. Icy Stones: In winter, the stone pitching turns into a terrifying ice slick where water runoff freezes solid across the path. False Sense of Security: The long, flat walk-in often causes walkers to set off too fast, leaving them drained before the climb even begins
If you need to get offIf the heat or gradient is too much, simply turn around and descend the pitched path back to the flat safety of Mickleden
- 2
Rossett Pike → Allen Crags (2.1 km, 201 m)
From Rossett Pike, drop a short distance west to intercept the shores of Angle Tarn, which sits in a dramatic, dark high-mountain corrie beneath Bowfell. Cross the tarn's outflow and pick up the rocky, heavily trodden path climbing north-west towards the Esk Hause plateau. Before reaching the main cross-shelter, the route veers north, picking up a rough, undulating rocky path that climbs to the summit of Allen Crags
WaypointsAngle Tarn (530m): A deep, cold mountain lake acting as a major crossroads. Angle Tarn Outflow: The stepping-stone crossing point. Allen Crags Summit (785m): A rugged, rocky summit on the ridge stretching toward Glaramara
Decision pointAngle Tarn: This is a colossal visual anchor. Keep the tarn on your left as you descend from Rossett Pike, and on your left again as you climb away from it toward Esk Hause
Easy to get wrongBoggy Approaches: The area immediately surrounding Angle Tarn and its outflow can be deeply saturated and messy to cross. Undulating Rock: The approach to Allen Crags is uneven and rocky, requiring continuous micro-adjustments to footing
If you need to get offTrap Warning: From Allen Crags, do not bail north into Langstrath. This is a massive, desolate valley that will deposit you in Borrowdale, miles away from your Langdale start point. Safe Route: Retreat to Angle Tarn and take the Rossett Gill path back down to Langdale
- 3
Allen Crags → Great End (1.8 km, 181 m)
Retrace your steps south from Allen Crags to drop into Esk Hause—the highest and most famous crossroads in the Lake District. From the cross-shelter, the route swings north-west to tackle Great End. The path here largely disintegrates into a chaotic sea of boulders and shattered scree. The climb is a rough, high-stepping scramble through the rocks to reach the expansive, surprisingly flat summit plateau of Great End
WaypointsEsk Hause Shelter (759m): A low, stone cross-wall providing a vital windbreak and navigational anchor. Calf Cove: The sweeping rocky bowl on the approach to Great End. Great End Summit (910m): Marked by a cairn set back from the sheer northern crags
Decision pointThe Cross-Shelter: The stone shelter at Esk Hause is your primary launch pad for the bearing up Great End. Cairns: A line of cairns marks the safest route through the boulder fields to the summit
Easy to get wrongThe Esk Hause Wind Tunnel: Esk Hause is a notorious weather trap where winds from multiple valleys converge. Expect the temperature to plummet here. Ankle-Breaking Terrain: The ascent of Great End is heavily boulder-strewn. It requires constant concentration and is brutal on the ankles. Lethal Crags in Clag: Great End’s northern face is a series of sheer, massive cliffs. In low visibility, you must navigate to the summit cairn on a strict bearing and go no further north
If you need to get offTrap Warning: Esk Hause is where most navigation errors occur. Do not descend north (to Sty Head/Borrowdale) or south (to Eskdale). Safe Route: Take a strict east/south-east bearing from Esk Hause back toward Angle Tarn and the Langdale descent
- 4
Great End → Esk Pike (2.0 km, 134 m)
Carefully navigate your way south-east back through the boulders off Great End's plateau, effectively bypassing Esk Hause slightly higher up the slope. The route then tackles the ascent of Esk Pike. This climb is a mix of steep, loose scree and rocky slabs. The summit itself is a sharply defined, shattered rocky peak that feels wonderfully alpine
WaypointsGreat End Descent: The boulder field returning toward the main ridge. Esk Hause (Upper Path): The traverse bypassing the shelter. Esk Pike Summit (885m): A rocky, pointed summit offering incredible views down into upper Eskdale
Decision pointTopography: As you climb Esk Pike, the immense, empty trench of the upper Esk valley will be opening up spectacularly to your right (south)
Easy to get wrongClag Disorientation: Coming off the featureless Great End plateau in the mist is highly disorienting. A compass bearing is mandatory to ensure you hit the path toward Esk Pike and don't wander off the western crags. Loose Footing: The final pull up to Esk Pike is steep and littered with loose rock that slides away underfoot
If you need to get offDrop down to the saddle between Great End and Esk Pike, and funnel yourself east back to the Esk Hause shelter to pick up the Angle Tarn retreat path
- 5
Esk Pike → Bowfell (1.5 km, 108 m)
From Esk Pike, descend south-east into the highly distinctive depression of Ore Gap. From the gap, the final major climb of the day begins. The ascent of Bowfell from this northern approach involves navigating a series of large, tilted rock slabs and boulder choke-points. It is rugged, hands-on terrain that deposits you onto the massive, pyramidal summit of Bowfell
WaypointsOre Gap (825m): The saddle easily identified by its bright red, iron-rich soil. Bowfell Slabs: The tilted sheets of rock on the ascent. Bowfell Summit (902m): A chaotic pile of shattered boulders marking one of the finest summits in the national park
Decision pointOre Gap: The red earth of this saddle is a unique geological handrail in the Lake District; you cannot miss it
Easy to get wrongRed Scree Slip Hazard: The red soil of Ore Gap turns into an incredibly slick, greasy mud when wet. Slab Danger: The rock slabs on Bowfell’s ascent are dangerous when wet or iced. They offer zero friction in bad weather and require careful route-finding to bypass
If you need to get offTrap Warning: From Ore Gap, the valley dropping to your right (south) is upper Eskdale—a desolate, pathless trap that ends in the wrong valley. Safe Route: If you cannot summit Bowfell, turn left (north) from Ore Gap to contour back to Angle Tarn
Bowfell → Finish (4.9 km, 17 m)
From the summit of Bowfell, pick your way east down the steep, shattered rock of the summit pyramid, then follow the immense descent of The Band—a massive, sprawling ridge that thrusts directly into the Langdale valley. The path starts as steep bedrock and loose scree before transitioning into a heavily pitched stone path, eventually smoothing out into grassy farm tracks at Stool End Farm, returning you to the Old Dungeon Ghyll
WaypointsThree Tarns (710m): The prominent saddle featuring a cluster of small pools (which sometimes dry up in summer). The Band: The 3-kilometre-long descending ridge line. Stool End Farm: The valley-bottom farm where the fell path ends
Decision pointThree Tarns: In poor visibility, ensure you hit the pools at Three Tarns before turning east. The Ridge Crest: The Band is a massive, blunt handrail. Stay on the crest of the ridge. Visual Handrails: The Langdale valley floor and the Old Dungeon Ghyll pub will be directly in your line of sight for almost the entire descent
Easy to get wrongKnee Destruction: The Band is a relentless, 780-metre descent. It is beautifully maintained, but the endless stone steps will severely test tired knees and quads at the end of a long day. Wind Exposure: The upper half of The Band takes the full, uninterrupted force of winds funnelling up Langdale
If you need to get offThis is the final descent and the safest exit from the Bowfell massif. Once you turn onto The Band at Three Tarns, you are locked into the valley exit. Do not drop right (west) into Hell Gill or left (east) directly into the crags above Mickleden; stick strictly to the pitched path on the ridge crest
Summits bagged (5)
- 1Rossett Pike651 m
- 2Allen Crags785 m
- 3Great End910 m
- 4Esk Pike885 m
- 5Bowfell903 m
In the order you walk them — the same numbers the elevation profile, the stage notes and the pacing table use.
Getting there & parking
⛽ Nearest fuel to this start: Hills Garage, Ambleside, 11.6 km by road (Mon 07:00-21:00; Tue 07:00-21:00; Wed 07:00-21:00; Thu 07:00-21:00; Fri 07:00-21:00; Sat 07:00-21:00; Sun 08:00-21:00). Nearest shop: Langdale Co-operative Society, 4.4 km. Both measured along the road from the parking we publish at Old Dungeon Ghyll, checked 8 August 2026. Coming in from a particular direction you may pass a closer one — the last petrol before each valley →
Positions are approximate.
Vehicles are left entirely at their owner’s risk. We list places people park; we cannot vouch for any of them. Judge it on the day: take valuables with you, leave nothing on show, and if a spot feels wrong when you get there, park somewhere else.
Every option near this start, on the parking map →
Water, shelter & getting away
On-route facilities © OpenStreetMap contributors — an absent marker does not mean the facility isn’t there.
Buses
The 516 stops at Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel (at), 210 m from this start. Return buses leave from New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, about 1 km down the valley road. Last bus: Monday to Friday 20:13 towards Kendal (516) and 18:13 towards Ambleside (516); Saturday 22:33 towards Kendal (516) and 21:13 towards Ambleside (516); Sunday 20:13 towards Kendal (516) and 18:13 towards Ambleside (516). Checked against the operator’s timetable, 7 September 2026. Times here are a guide, not a promise — leave yourself more than the minute.
The 516 passes this route at 0.1 km (Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel (at), 50 m off the line).
Rural routes change seasonally — confirm on stagecoachbus.com (opens in new tab) or Traveline before travelling.
Toilets and refreshments
At Old Dungeon Ghyll (NT, paid), the closest parking we hold to where this route starts:
Distances are straight lines from the car park, not walking routes. Opening hours change; none of this is checked daily.
When the sun reaches the tops
Not sunrise — the moment the sun clears the skyline from that summit, which on a fell with high ground to its east can be a good deal later. The two equinoxes are shown because they fall in the walking season, and late December too wherever a top keeps you waiting then; the clock gap between the equinoxes is British Summer Time, not the hill. Rounded to the nearest quarter hour and meant as a general idea, not a schedule.
- Rossett Pike — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:30, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00. It waits longest in midsummer — about a quarter of an hour after sunrise.
- Allen Crags — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.
- Great End — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.
- Esk Pike — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.
- Bowfell — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.
Modelled from a 30 m elevation model against each summit’s own skyline — the same figures the fell pages carry, never observed. Cloud is not in it.
Safety & conditions
Check live conditions in the “From the fells” panel, on MWIS (opens in new tab) and the Met Office mountain forecast (opens in new tab) before you set off.
Make it easier or harder
Short version: turn back at about 8.0 km (drop to Start) — roughly half the distance.
Places to stay near this start
From Great Langdale: 3 places in Grasmere