Langdale Pikes Route 1
A vintage scramble and two top pubs
You’ll deserve double pub action after this testing scramble up Jack’s Rake on Pavey Ark. This Grade 1 scramble is popular, with plenty of secure hand and footholds and only one exposed side. However, if you don’t fancy it (or if you’re starting the pub crawl early) not a problem – there are two paths that avoid it which I’ll point out in the route description. Make your choice on the day depending on the weather, time and your party’s experience level.
After this exhilarating climb with great views of Stickle Tarn below, Harrison Stickle and Pike of Stickle await your bootsteps to the south-west. It’s a short, grassy walk across the top of Pavey Ark to your first pike. From the top of each, take in superb views across the Langdale valley, from the pyramidal Pike of Blisco to the south, all the way around to Bow Fell with Scafell Pike (highest in England) towering behind. Here, again, if you’re running short of time or the weather takes a turn for the worse (or if you just want to get to the pubs quicker!) you can descend straight to the New Dungeon Ghyll. But for a more leisurely and less knee-bashing journey down, this route takes you towards Langdale Combe to meet the Cumbria Way and the Old Dungeon Ghyll first. Wash it all down with local guest ales in the Old and New Dungeon Ghyll pubs to finish.