A moderate route in Southern Fells. Check the GPS track on Outdooractive for full details of the route, waypoints, and terrain.
Starting Point: NT Great Langdale Campsite (NY 288 058). Parking is also available at the Old Dungeon Ghyll car park (NY 285 061) — if starting there, walk south along the road to meet the route at NY 285 057.
Terrain: Campsite path, road, Side Gate track, steep fell path, open ridge, summit crags, descent path, crossroads, fell descent, footbridge, valley path, Stool End farm track Notable features: Side Gate, Wrynose Fell, Pike of Blisco (705m — Wainwright), Red Tarn, Great Knott (optional viewpoint), Brown Howe, Oxendale Beck, Stool End, Mickleden, 1 Wainwright IMPORTANT — MOUNTAIN SAFETY: Despite its modest distance this walk involves nearly 700m of ascent with steep and rocky terrain on the approach to Pike of Blisco and a steep descent through crags on the south side. Full mountain kit is essential. Check the weather forecast carefully before setting out.
A fine circular from Great Langdale Campsite taking in one of the most rewarding summits in the Langdale area. The climb via the Side Gate track and the steep pull up Wrynose Fell is a sustained ascent that demands respect, but the approach is quieter and less crowded than the standard routes from the valley car parks, and the ridge walk west from Wrynose Fell to Pike of Blisco's rocky summit is a pleasure throughout. The cloud was down on the summit, but the short diversion toward Great Knott on the descent produced the goods — a reminder that a few hundred metres of extra effort often pays dividends on a mountain walk. The descent through the crags is steep but good underfoot, and the return north via Brown Howe and the footbridge over Oxendale Beck is a delightful valley walk, with Mickleden stretching away to the west and the great wall of the Langdale Pikes framing every step back to Stool End. The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel at the end of the Side Gate track provides the perfect full stop. A thoroughly enjoyable walk.