Lingmoor, Blake Rigg & Pike o’ Blisco

This is a tough walk rewarded by stunning views and a sense of adventure. It is a linear route using the Langdale Rambler (number 516) bus (e.g. from Ambleside) with the walk starting at Chapel Stile and finishing near Old Dungeon Ghyll. Special interest is provided by viewing historic slate quarries, negotiating ‘Fat Man's Agony', scrambling to a spectacular location that is seldom visited and scaling a 2,300-foot mountain.

The walk starts from the Wainwright’s Inn at Chapel Stile (map ref NY 318 054, postcode LA22 9JD). To travel there by bus, catch the 516 from Ambleside at 9:30 or 10.40.

INFORMATION

Distance: 8 miles

Ascent: 3200 feet

Time: 5½ hours

Terrain: Fell paths and open fell, often steep and involving some scrambling.

Map: OS Explorer OL6

ROUTE

1. Cross the footbridge (signed Great Langdale) at the edge of Wainwright’s Inn parking area and follow the footpath up past Elterwater slate quarry (best seen from a viewing platform on the left). This quarry has been working for more than 400 years: a reminder that mass tourism is a relatively recent industry. Walk past the works onto a footpath through woods, to a track where you turn right then left onto the bridleway signed Little Langdale. After 100 yards turn right onto the next track, continuing uphill through woodland and through a gate to emerge onto a spoil heap of the disused Banks slate quarry. This quarry closed in 1934 after 150 years of operation and is an excellent example of one of 250 former slate workings in the Lake District. Continue ascending and turn sharp left (signed Lingmoor). Cross a locked metal gate with steps welded onto it. Walk ahead to the viewpoint marked by a cairn then go to the main footpath ascending the ridge. Follow the wall on the right and rest on the stone seat at a viewpoint marked by a cairn. Continue to ascend along the wall and later a fence. The path bends right up a steep stony slope, and goes over a stile to Lingmoor summit cairn at 1530 feet. From here are excellent views of the head of Great Langdale, the Helvellyn Range, and the Kentmere and Coniston Fells.

2. Descend on the path, which is tricky in parts, passing Lingmoor Tarn on the right. After crossing a stile below Side Pike follow the path up to the rock face to ‘Fat Man's Agony', a tight squeeze between vertical rocks. Continue on the narrow rough path to meet a path to Side Pike summit. After visiting the summit return to this point and follow the steep path down to the road by the cattle grid. Keep to the right of the cattle grid and walk uphill, following the line of a wall on the left. Scramble up the slope between two rock faces then up through a gorge with a lone rowan tree. Keep straight ahead, passing two small tarns, then head to the summit of Blake Rigg. From the summit descend 100 yards to the left (east), past a small tarn, to a delightful spot at the edge of the crags and enjoy stunning views of Blea Tarn, Langdale Pikes and Little Langdale Tarn. Part of Windermere is also visible.

3. Head due west aiming directly towards Pike o’ Blisco, picking the best route between the rocky outcrops. Keep to the left of the 2,300-foot summit and join a footpath going to the right. After visiting both of the cairned summits descend on a rocky path to the north end of Red Tarn. Turn right and descend along the stepped path into Oxendale, across a footbridge and past Stool End farm to the end of the B5343 near Old Dungeon Gill. The 516 bus leaves here at 17:15 and also 16:05 at weekends and school holidays.