Difficulty

  • Strenuousness:
    4 (Very full day)/5
  • Navigation:
    3/5
  • Technicality:
    4/5

Info

  • Terrain:
    Rough rocky ground, grassy hillside, bogs and occasional exposure
  • Time:
    approx. 8 hours
  • Distance:
    18km / 12 miles total
  • Total Ascent:
    1400m
  • Starting Point:
    Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
  • Nearest Town:
    Elterwater
  • Public Transport:
    Langdale Rambler Bus 516 Kendal - Windermere - Ambleside - Dungeon Ghyll

Maps

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A full day out in the mountains, starting and finishing in the Langdale valley. This route takes in several other peaks as well as Scafell Pike.

Park in the pay and display car park next to the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel (OS ref: NY287061) and take the farm track across the fields to Stool End Farm (OS ref: NY277057).

Follow public footpath signs through the farmyard and, after a hundred metres, take the right-hand path. This path climbs steeply at first, then more steadily, up The Band – the great shoulder which reaches out from Bow Fell into the Langdale Valley.

A long continual climb, with views directly across the valley of Oxendale to Crinkle Crags, eventually brings you to a convenient resting point at Three Tarns, the col between Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell (OS ref: NY248061).

Next, head due north, and steeply upwards, following the well-trodden rocky path marked by frequent cairns to the summit of Bow Fell (OS ref: NY244064). There is a magnificent view across the head of the Eskdale Valley far below and across to Scafell Pike itself. On a clear day, you can often make out tiny people on the distant summit.

From Bow Fell, follow the main path northwards to Hanging Knotts (OS ref: NY244072) and then westwards to the summit of Esk Pike (OS ref: NY236075), before descending to Esk Hause (OS ref: NY233081).

Esk Hause, looking west towards the Langdale Pikes

From Esk Hause, continue to the summit of Scafell Pike as per the route from Borrowdale. From the summit, retrace the route back as far as Esk Hause again. But, instead of starting the grind back up to Esk Pike and Bow Fell, descend north-eastwards from Esk Hause for about 300 metres to meet the main Sty Head to Langdale path at OS ref: NY235083.

Follow this well-defined and maintained path south-east as it drops down to delightful Angle Tarn (OS ref: NY245078), nestling below the imposing fortress of Hanging Knotts.

Continue in a south-easterly direction, with a short climb to begin and then a steep descent as the path drops down alongside the tumbling waterfalls of Rossett Gill before joining the bridleway along Mickleden (OS ref: NY262073), from where a final steady and level stride returns you to the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel with its world-famous rustic and welcoming Climbers Bar.

Weather Forecast for Great Langdale

The data for the weather forecast for Great Langdale has been provided by the Met Office. The data is updated once daily, so please ensure you check the Met Office website for the most recent information. The exact location of the data refers to the Langdale Youth Hostel (lat: 54.4374, long: -3.0206).

Today

00:00
Temp. 9°c
Rain 98%
Wind 11mph SSE
Gusts 27mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 98%
03:00
Temp. 9°c
Rain 89%
Wind 16mph SSW
Gusts 34mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 96%
06:00
Temp. 9°c
Rain 31%
Wind 9mph WSW
Gusts 22mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 92%
09:00
Temp. 9°c
Rain 7%
Wind 9mph W
Gusts 18mph
UV Index 1
Humidity 88%
12:00
Temp. 11°c
Rain 4%
Wind 9mph W
Gusts 18mph
UV Index 3
Humidity 76%
15:00
Temp. 11°c
Rain 4%
Wind 7mph WSW
Gusts 11mph
UV Index 1
Humidity 74%
18:00
Temp. 9°c
Rain 5%
Wind 2mph SSW
Gusts 4mph
UV Index 1
Humidity 88%
21:00
Temp. 8°c
Rain 5%
Wind 2mph NE
Gusts 2mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 94%

Tomorrow

00:00
Temp. 8°c
Rain 8%
Wind 2mph NNW
Gusts 2mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 92%
03:00
Temp. 8°c
Rain 85%
Wind 2mph ENE
Gusts 7mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 91%
06:00
Temp. 8°c
Rain 90%
Wind 4mph NNE
Gusts 7mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 92%
09:00
Temp. 8°c
Rain 91%
Wind 4mph NNW
Gusts 11mph
UV Index 1
Humidity 91%
12:00
Temp. 9°c
Rain 56%
Wind 7mph N
Gusts 16mph
UV Index 2
Humidity 87%
15:00
Temp. 10°c
Rain 9%
Wind 9mph NNW
Gusts 16mph
UV Index 1
Humidity 79%
18:00
Temp. 8°c
Rain 3%
Wind 7mph NNW
Gusts 13mph
UV Index 1
Humidity 83%
21:00
Temp. 6°c
Rain 1%
Wind 4mph NNW
Gusts 9mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 89%

Thursday

00:00
Temp. 4°c
Rain 4%
Wind 2mph SE
Gusts 4mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 92%
03:00
Temp. 4°c
Rain 6%
Wind 2mph SE
Gusts 7mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 94%
06:00
Temp. 5°c
Rain 6%
Wind 7mph S
Gusts 11mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 95%
09:00
Temp. 7°c
Rain 14%
Wind 11mph SSW
Gusts 22mph
UV Index 1
Humidity 88%
12:00
Temp. 8°c
Rain 52%
Wind 16mph SW
Gusts 29mph
UV Index 2
Humidity 86%
15:00
Temp. 9°c
Rain 24%
Wind 16mph SW
Gusts 34mph
UV Index 1
Humidity 85%
18:00
Temp. 9°c
Rain 27%
Wind 18mph SW
Gusts 34mph
UV Index 1
Humidity 90%
21:00
Temp. 9°c
Rain 57%
Wind 18mph WSW
Gusts 34mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 93%

Friday

00:00
Temp. 9°c
Rain 56%
Wind 16mph WSW
Gusts 31mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 91%
03:00
Temp. 7°c
Rain 16%
Wind 13mph W
Gusts 27mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 86%
06:00
Temp. 7°c
Rain 8%
Wind 13mph W
Gusts 27mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 84%
09:00
Temp. 8°c
Rain 8%
Wind 18mph W
Gusts 34mph
UV Index 1
Humidity 74%
12:00
Temp. 8°c
Rain 34%
Wind 18mph W
Gusts 38mph
UV Index 3
Humidity 68%
15:00
Temp. 7°c
Rain 37%
Wind 18mph W
Gusts 36mph
UV Index 2
Humidity 69%
18:00
Temp. 6°c
Rain 32%
Wind 16mph W
Gusts 31mph
UV Index 1
Humidity 70%
21:00
Temp. 5°c
Rain 10%
Wind 18mph W
Gusts 34mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 73%

Saturday

00:00
Temp. 5°c
Rain 11%
Wind 18mph W
Gusts 36mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 76%
03:00
Temp. 5°c
Rain 33%
Wind 20mph W
Gusts 38mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 79%
06:00
Temp. 5°c
Rain 41%
Wind 20mph W
Gusts 38mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 81%
09:00
Temp. 5°c
Rain 45%
Wind 20mph W
Gusts 40mph
UV Index 1
Humidity 82%
12:00
Temp. 7°c
Rain 45%
Wind 20mph WNW
Gusts 43mph
UV Index 2
Humidity 76%
15:00
Temp. 7°c
Rain 40%
Wind 20mph WNW
Gusts 40mph
UV Index 2
Humidity 74%
18:00
Temp. 6°c
Rain 12%
Wind 18mph NNW
Gusts 34mph
UV Index 1
Humidity 76%
21:00
Temp. 5°c
Rain 6%
Wind 16mph N
Gusts 29mph
UV Index 0
Humidity 77%

Data provided by the Met Office. Last updated: 1h ago. When considering Scafell Pike weather, take note that the conditions you encounter at the base of Scafell Pike may be vastly different from those you experience at its summit. Higher altitudes often bring colder temperatures, stronger winds, and decreased visibility. Therefore, it is always advisable to check the mountain weather forecast before you set off for your hike.

Frequently asked questions about Scafell Pike from Great Langdale

What are the basics of the Great Langdale route to Scafell Pike?

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Where does the Great Langdale route start and finish?

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What are some of the sights along the way?

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