Three Shires walks: The Langdale Pikes from Stickle Barn

The Langdale Pikes are some of the most famous landmarks in the Lake District.

Opinions on exactly which peaks make up the pikes seem to vary a little. However, everyone agrees that they include Pike of Stickle, Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle, alongside either Thunacar Knott or Loft Crag.

This loop takes in the main three, as well as Loft Crag, beginning and ending at Stickle Barn on the valley floor in Great Langdale.

This is an ever-popular route and the paths are generally very clear. However, expect to encounter steep rocky ground and some minor scrambling. As always, take a map and compass and be prepared to use them to find your way in bad weather.

Stickle Barn to Pike of Stickle

The National Trust car park at Stickle Barn is a great starting point for all sorts of adventures in the hills.

Our route begins by heading through a gate in the north eastern corner of the car park (the end near the Stickle Barn pub and restaurant).

Follow the path for a short distance and then turn left to go uphill alongside a stone wall. Cross another wall and then head right (roughly north west) to walk for a short distance beside it.

After another wall the path drops down to Dungeon Ghyll. There is a choice of paths here. Take the most well-trodden path on the left side of the ghyll as you look west, with a wall beside it on the left.

This path climbs steadily beside the ghyll, with the views across the valley improving all the time. It is also worth stopping to take a breather and admire some of the beautiful waterfalls in Dungeon Ghyll.

The path continues up until it reaches a slight plateau where the rocky sides of Harrison Stickle come into view. It then enters a little valley between Pike of Stickle and Harrison Stickle, passing the top of Loft Crag, which is a little to the south. It is only a short detour to tick off this summit en route to Pike of Stickle, with its distinctive pointy top.

During neolithic times, Pike of Stickle was home to a major stone axe factory. Ancient people took advantage of a vein of hard greenstone to produce axes which were traded throughout the country.

Follow a gently rising path towards the pike and then make a short scramble to reach its top and enjoy the exhilarating views across the most spectacular mountain scenery. From here - if the weather is on your side - you can feast your eyes on a 360 degree panorama of the Lake District and beyond.

Pike of Stickle to Stickle Tarn via Pavey Ark

Descend carefully from the top of Pike of Stickle and retrace your steps eastwards for a short distance bearing left (as you face east) at a fork in the path. This path leads back across the saddle between the pikes towards Harrison Stickle, passing a small tarn on the right and then crossing the ghyll.

From the ghyll, the path heads upwards again, with some minor scrambling required to reach the top of Harrison Stickle and yet more stunning views.

Two paths head north from the top of Harrison Stickle. To reach Pavey Ark, take the path which is on the eastern side of Harrison Stickle, which skirts the hillside with views down towards Stickle Tarn. This passes the beginning of another path, which heads down the hillside towards the tarn. This is an option if you want to begin your descent early for any reason.

The path contours around towards the huge mass of Pavey Ark, which is a great spot for rock climbers and also home to Jack’s Rake, one of the most popular scrambles in the district.

It can be a little indistinct at points and so be prepared for some potential map and compass work. You will pass tarns on your left before the path begins to become wider and more obvious. You will need to take a small detour to reach the top of Pavey Ark before returning to the main path.

This eventually descends via rocky steps and scree to Bright Beck. Cross the beck and head south to the shore of the tarn and then follow the path around the shore to the dam wall where Stickle Ghyll begins its tumble downhill.

Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Barn

Stickle Tarn is one of the most visited beauty spots in the lakes, with good reason. Many a happy hour can be spent here, spotting rock climbers high on the sides of Pavey Ark or taking a refreshing swim.

From the tarn paths head south on either side of the ghyll. The most obvious and begins on the right (as you face south) and then crosses the ghyll to continue descending on the other side. Follow this all the way down to cross a stile, pass through trees and then cross the ghyll via a footbridge.

From the bridge the path follows the ghyll back down to Stickle Barn.