Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.: langdale pikes

Showing posts with label langdale pikes. Show all posts

Down Langdale and over Wrynose

Photos taken on a lovely sunny day back in September.

My original intention was to stop in Langdale somewhere and go for a stroll but I came across the usual parking problems. However the short pass over to Wrynose looked inviting so I headed over that way. The road past Blea Tarn was devilishly narrow with very few passing places but it looked deserted so I bit the bullet and carried on. Luckily the only vehicle I came across was just as I approached one of the passing places so there was a big sigh of relief on both sides.

The road continued to be narrow as I headed past Fell Foot Farm and only started to widen as I climb Wrynose Pass. The views all round from the top were stunning . I had Pike O' Blisco, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell on the one side and on the other, the slopes leading up to the Coniston Fells. Behind I'd a great view of Langdale and The Eastern Fells whilst in front I had the horrors of a distant Hardknott Pass which I decided to give a wide berth to!

I stopped at a few places along Wrynose Bottom to take some photos and, at Cockley Beck Farm, turned left down The Duddon Valley. Due to its remoteness, most people give this valley a miss and instead carry on over Hardknott Pass into Eskdale, but they are missing out on so much by doing that.

The road stayed pretty close to The River Dudden for most of the way and there was ample places to stop and go and stretch the legs. The beautiful Birks Bridge was part way down the valley and a bit farther on was the Seathwaite waterfalls, both of which are well worth a visit. As an added bonus there was also a pub, The Newfield Inn but I gave it a miss.

The valley ended at Dudden Bridge and it was then only a short drive in to the pretty town of Broughton where I bought lunch at the local bakery. Fully fed and watered, I took the road up to Coniston and was back in familiar territory.

It was then an easy drive past Yew Tree Tarn, on to Ambleside and then up through The Lakes and back to my caravan. It had been a long drive but a very pleasant one. I can highly recommend the bakery in Broughton.

Great Langdale

Linmoor Fell

Langdale Farmstead

The Langdale Pikes

Head of Great Langdale

Rock Climbing Country

Harrison Stickle

Mickledon

Mickledon Beck

Eller Dubs, Wrynose Bottom

Wrynose Bottom

Dudden Valley

The Langdale Valley

Miracle of miracles, I was actually able to fine a parking space down Langdale! I have been down there countless times over the last three years and not once been able to park up and go for a walk. Today I managed to squeeze in to one of the last parking spots in the National Trust Car Park at the New Dungeon Gill. I only had enough change to park up for two hours as the parking machines don't take bank cards and there is no mobile reception to use their parking app so consequently it was only a short 'there and back again' walk.

Most of the crowds were heading off up The Langdale Pikes but I decided to head the opposite way and go past the Old Dungeon Gill Hotel and on to the path into Mickledon. It was good to see some old favourites again, especially Crinkle Crags and Bowfell which form a massive barrier at the head of the valley. Bowfell has one of the best summit views in the district in my opinion which, off the top of my head, is only marginally bettered by the view looking down Borrowdale to Derwentwater from the top of Great End. Unfortunately my days of going up the high fells is just about over although I reckon I could still tackle Dalehead from the top of Honister Pass but only at my pace.

I sat and watched a couple of rock climbers on Gimmer Crag on my way back and it looked as though there had been a recent rock fall up there. My walk hadn't been very long but I was nice to be back in Langdale again.

The Langdale Pikes

Tree Trunk

The Langdale Pikes

Crinkle Crags

The Langdale Pikes

Path to Mickledon

Rock Climbers

Path to Mickledon

Langdale Pikes

Gimmer Crag

Langdale Beck

Holme Fell

It must have been twentry years since I was last on Holme Fell when I was helping a friend do the Wainwrights. I've been to Hodge Close a fair few times but have always walked down into Little Lnagdale and not up Holme Fell.

I really have missed so much. It must be one of the most beautiful fells in The Lakes; not very high but a pure joy to walk upon. There has been a lot of quarrying in the past so there are a few disused dams scattered about and the remnants of many disused quarries but these just add to the beauty of the place. Nature has done a superb job and created beauty which ever direction you look.

The views from up high are first class as well; to the west you can see some of the Coniston Fells and to the north west are The Langdale Fells. Eastwards Windermere can be seen and on a clear day, you can see right across to The Yorkshire Dales.

I didn't quite make it to the top but I'm presuming that from the summit, you can see Coniston Water and right down to Morecambe Bay.

Due to my health issues, I knew when I had reached my limit, so I just found a large boulder to plonk my behind on, sat for a while and picked another of the many paths scattering the fell to walk back down to Hodge Close and my car.

Without doubt I will be returning, as my walk on Holme Fell was one of the most enjoyable I have done for many a year.