Please note this walk was completed by Alex, our Media and Marketing Coordinator. All words are her own – we cannot wait to try this walk ourselves!
Distance:
6km (option to add an extra mile for a cafe stop at the end)
Why we love this walk
This Langdales walk is perfect for escaping the Lake District crowds during school holidays. We went in the middle of the Easter break and met only a handful of people on the trail. Set in the dramatic Mickleden Valley, you quickly feel like you’re adventuring far out in the wilderness (but with the safety net of a clear path all the way along and your car, toilets and The Old Dungeon Ghyll hotel never more than 3km away!)
We saw lots of lovely Herdwick sheep being expertly moved along the hillside by some very clever collies, and the girls enjoyed stopping to have a look at some more sheep when we got back to the farm right at the end of the walk. The walk runs parallel to a gentle river, and we found a beautiful crystal clear pool along the way too!
Parking
We parked at the Old Dungeon Ghyll pay and display National Trust car park (LA22 9JY), but if that’s full, there is another good sized National Trust car park half a mile down the road, with a footpath between the two.
The Route
When you leave the car park, head back down the lane for a few metres, and you’ll find a gate to your right, and a sign marking several walking routes. Head through the gate, and after that it’s incredibly easy – just stick to the path! The track is flat and easy to follow but quite rocky in places. We took babies in carriers, and I don’t think it would be pram accessible – even an all terrain buggy would struggle.
This is a there-and-back walk. Not long after a small wooden bridge, you’ll find some way-markers that direct you up the hill to Stake Pass or Esk Hause. This is where we turned around.
At the end of the walk, across the lane you’ll see a footpath to Sticklebarn. If little legs can manage an extra half mile, this footpath take you to a great cafe with lots of indoor and outdoor seating, and delicious hot chocolates!
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