The Tongue Birkett

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → The Tongue (1.9 km, 332 m)

   Climb of about 332 m over 1.9 km (around 17% average).

   Starting from the village of Mungrisdale, the route leaves the tarmac lane near the church and follows the rough gravel track running parallel to Bullfell Beck and the River Glenderamackin. After crossing the footbridge near the confluence, the path immediately turns into a steep, unrelenting grass climb (averaging 17%) directly up the eastern nose and southern flanks of The Tongue. Underfoot, the terrain consists of rough fell turf, loose slate fragments, and narrow sheep trods

   Waypoints

   Start Point: Mungrisdale village (approx. NY 363 302). Glenderamackin Footbridge: The wooden bridge crossing near Bullfell Beck. The Tongue Summit (442 m): A prominent, pyramid-shaped Birkett rising between Bullfell Beck and Bannerdale

   Decision point

   Linear Features: Bullfell Beck on your right (north) and the River Glenderamackin on your left (south) act as clear natural boundaries funneling you to the base of the ridge. Visual Target: The sharp, distinctive profile of The Tongue is visible directly ahead from the moment you leave the village

   Easy to get wrong

   Steepness: The 17% average gradient is concentrated into a short, intense pull up the grassy prow. In wet weather, the slick turf requires careful foot placement. Summer Bracken: The lower slopes near Bullfell Beck are choked with thick bracken from July to September, concealing uneven ground and loose stones. Shade & Frost: The southern flank of The Tongue sits in deep winter shadow, holding frost and ice long into the afternoon

   If you need to get off

   Retreat: Reversing back down the eastern spur to the main valley path offers a fast, simple return to Mungrisdale. Trap: Do not attempt to descend the steep, pathless northern crags above Bullfell Beck if off-route; stick strictly to the grassy southern spur

2. 2

   The Tongue → Bowscale Fell (1.9 km, 180 m)

   Climb of about 180 m over 1.9 km (around 9% average).

   From the summit of The Tongue, the route continues west across high, open moorland. The gradient relaxes to a gentler 9% average over 1.9 km. The terrain transitions from firm grass to a broad, undulating expanse of sodden peat, coarse heather, and moss as you join the main path near the col below Bannerdale Crags before making the final pull up to the summit plateau of Bowscale Fell

   Waypoints

   The Connecting Col (approx. 650 m): The broad saddle linking The Tongue, Bannerdale Crags, and Bowscale Fell. Glenderamackin Standing Stone: A small upright marker stone near the main path junction. Bowscale Fell Summit (652 m): A Wainwright summit, crowned with a large stone wind shelter on a wide, grassy ridge

   Decision point

   Handrails: The rim of Bannerdale Crags to the south serves as a dramatic landscape feature; keep a safe distance from the edge in low visibility. Compass Bearings: Crucial across the featureless col between The Tongue and the main summit ridge

   Easy to get wrong

   Bogs & Peat: The saddle between The Tongue and Bowscale Fell holds standing water and deep peat hags year-round. Clag Navigation: The plateau of Bowscale Fell is broad and featureless. In thick fog or whiteout conditions, maintaining a strict bearing is essential to avoid walking in circles. Wind Exposure: Gaining the high ridge exposes you directly to prevailing westerly winds blowing across from Blencathra

   If you need to get off

   Retreat: From the col below Bowscale Fell, you can drop south-east along the main valley traverse path into Bannerdale, which leads directly back to Mungrisdale. Trap: Do not walk south over the edge of Bannerdale Crags in low visibility; the drops are sheer and vertical

3. Bowscale Fell → Finish (6.7 km, 176 m)

   Climb of about 176 m over 6.7 km (around 3% average).

   The final stage is a long, sweeping descent along the east ridge of Bowscale Fell. Leaving the summit shelter, the route heads north-east across broad moorland, passing above Bowscale Tarn before following the long crest over Raven Crags. The terrain transitions from high fell turf to stony tracks and grassy trods through gorse, eventually dropping steeply back into Mungrisdale village

   Waypoints

   Bowscale East Ridge / Undulations: A series of minor grassy bumps along the ridge line. Raven Crags: The steep, gorse-covered spur overlooking Mungrisdale. Finish Point: Mungrisdale village car park / telephone box

   Decision point

   Ridge Handrail: The crest of the east ridge itself acts as a natural guide all the way back to the village. Visual Targets: Mungrisdale village and the valley floor remain visible ahead throughout the lower half of the descent in clear weather

   Easy to get wrong

   False Summits: The east ridge features several subtle undulations that can create false horizons in thick mist. Steep Final Descent: The final drop down through Raven Crags into Mungrisdale is steep, stony, and heavily polished, demanding careful footing when wet. Boggy Saddles: The shallow depressions between the ridge bumps hold standing water after rain

   If you need to get off

   Retreat: This stage is the primary walk-out route off the mountain. Alternative Exit: If high-ridge winds are severe, dropping north into the Mosedale valley from the saddle near Bowscale Tarn provides a sheltered, low-level track return to Mungrisdale