It’s late August and there’s no better place in Lakeland to enjoy the colourful displays of heather than on Lingmoor Fell. Central to the Langdale area, the fell divides the two main valleys and sits in an amphitheatre of majestic mountains and ridges, and because it has no connecting ridge of its own, it’s worth combining a walk over it with a return journey via one of its neighbouring valleys. On this occasion I chose to return via Great Langdale which included refreshment stops at Great Langdale Campsite, Stickle Ghyll and Chapel Stile.
“A crescent-shaped ridge of high ground rises to the west from Elterwater’s pleasant pastures, climbs to a well-defined summit, a fine vantage point, and then curves northwards as it descends to valley-level near Dungeon Ghyll. Within the crescent lies Great Langdale, the longer outside curve sloping down into Little Langdale and the Blea Tarn depression. The mass is Lingmoor Fell, so named because of the extensive zone of heather clothing the northern flanks below the summit. The fell has contributed generously to the prosperity of the surrounding valleys, for not only has it nurtured the sheep but it has also been quarried extensively for many generations, yielding a very beautiful and durable green stone. Bracken and heather, some ragged patches of juniper and well-timbered estate woods, many crags and a delectable little tarn, all combine to make this fell a colourful addition to the varied attractions of the Langdale area.” Lingmoor Fell 2
AW
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Elterwater > Sawrey’s Wood > Baystones Wood > Banks Quarry > Bield Crag > Lingmoor Old Quarry > Brown How > subsidiary top (west ridge) > Side Pike > Great Langdale Campsite > Stickle Ghyll > Chapel Stile > Elterwater
The Britannia Inn and village green of Elterwater
There are two parking areas at Elterwater: a National Trust car park in the village and a pay and display car park just outside the village at Walthwaite Bottom.
Road through Sawrey’s Wood which continues to Cross Gates and Baysbrown
Track through Baystones Wood leading to Banks Quarry
Just beyond Cross Gates, a crossroads of tracks in the heart of the woodlands to the west of Elterwater, an old quarry road leads directly to Banks Quarry (dis). Good map reading skills are required in this area.
“The lower quarries are a labyrinth of paths and cart tracks, confusing on a first visit. The extensive spoil heaps are not pretty, the many trees being an ineffective screen; nevertheless, this is an interesting and attractive approach to the ridge.” Lingmoor Fell 7
AW
Bridge abutments and slate tips at Banks Quarry
Looking over to Silver How and the village of Chapel Stile from Banks Quarry
The working Elterwater Quarry can be seen down on the right.
Dale End Quarry Level
Old cart road leading to Lingmoor Quarries (dis)
From Banks Quarry this old cart road leads directly up towards the ridge of Lingmoor Fell and the upper quarries. It’s pleasant walking with great views of Great Langdale.
Slate tips of Lingmoor Old Quarry (left) and Lingmoor Quarry (right)
The track continues ahead, but a sign states “no access” to the quarry sites above. Instead we take a path that turns sharply left and then winds its way up and onto the main ridge of Lingmoor Fell.
Looking over to Blea Rigg and Silver How
Alfred Wainwright’s “prominent yew” that he illustrated on page Lingmoor Fell 7 stands proud. Baysbrown Campsite and the village of Chapel Stile are seen below.
Approaching the ridge wall of Lingmoor Fell
Around the corner and the ridge wall comes into view. We also have our first glimpse of purple heather.
The reason for walking this route this time of the year soon becomes apparent on reaching the ridge. There’s no better place in Lakeland to witness heather in all its glory than on Lingmoor Fell in August.
Shortly after joining the ridge path, take a short detour over to the left (south) to visit the summit of Bield Crag.
The Coniston Fells from the summit of Bield Crag
The ridge of Lingmoor Fell seen from Bield Crag
A faint path leads the way back to the ridge path from the summit cairn on Bield Crag. Some people can be seen on the main path in the centre of the photo.
A large seat created from quarry slate provides a suitable resting place to admire the views. Tika certainly thinks so! This seat is located on the ridge path.
Riving shed at Lingmoor Old Quarry
From the seat we only follow the ridge path for a short distance before leaving it again to explore some ruins above Lingmoor Old Quarry.
“The edge of the top quarry used to be unprotected and dangerous in mist, but a new wall has made this part of the route safe.” Lingmoor Fell 7
AW (revised by CH)
The Coniston Fells from a small hut ruin of Lingmoor Old Quarry
We now re-join the ridge path which is seen up on the right in the photo.
Brown How and the second subsidiary top from the first subsidiary top (east ridge)
Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes come into view after negotiating the first rise on the ridge (first subsidiary top). What follows are many ‘ups and downs’, but it’s pleasant walking all the way to the main summit of Lingmoor Fell (Brown How). It’s a case of just following the wall.
Probably the most photogenic part of the ridge wall as it snakes its way along the crest. The true summit of Lingmoor Fell, Brown How, comes into view as we arrive at the second subsidiary top. Here, also, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell look majestic on the left skyline.
Tika following the path through the colourful heather
A group of people enjoying the views as we approach the summit
Pike o’ Blisco, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from the summit of Lingmoor Fell
“The highest point, adjacent to an angle in the summit wall, is a stony mound superimposed on a dome dark with heather (Brown How), and owns a large cairn.” Lingmoor Fell 8
AW
Pike o’ Blisco, Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes from the summit of Lingmoor Fell
“There is no better place than the top of Lingmoor Fell for appraising the geography of the Langdale district. From this viewpoint the surround of rugged heights towering above the valley head of Great Langdale is most impressive, while across Little Langdale the Coniston fells form a massive wall. In marked contrast is the low countryside extending towards Windermere, richly wooded and sparkling with the waters of many lakes.” Lingmoor Fell 9
AW
The eastern spine over Blea Rigg, Lang How and Silver How from the summit of Lingmoor Fell
Book Four
The Southern Fells
Lingmoor Fell 8
“The Coniston Fells”
Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes from our descent from the summit rocks
The ridge wall now leads the way to my favourite view point in the Lake District, the subsidiary top (west ridge), seen here down on the right. Side Pike also comes into view (centre).
Lingmoor Tarn with Blea Rigg’s White Gill seen over on the far left
The Coniston Fells, Blake Rigg and Pike o’ Blisco over Blea Tarn
“Lingmoor Fell is isolated from other fells and therefore has no connecting ridges. Its nearest neighbour is Pike o’ Blisco, but the considerable descent to the Bleatarn road makes a climb therefrom virtually a complete ascent.” Lingmoor Fell 8
AW
One man and his dog on Lingmoor Fell’s subsidiary top (west ridge)
Tika on Lingmoor Fell’s subsidiary top (west ridge)
Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes from Lingmoor Fell’s subsidiary top (west ridge)
I finally got Tika out of the way and I’m then rewarded with my favourite view in Lakeland.
Pike o’ Blisco, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from the approach to Side Pike
Book Four
The Southern Fells
Lingmoor Fell 6
“Side Pike from the ridge up to Lingmoor Fell”
Blake Rigg from the approach to “the squeeze”
No trouble for Tika getting through “the squeeze”. It took me a little longer though!
Blake Rigg and Pike o’ Blisco from the traverse around Side Pike
The direct route to the “split boulder”
From the traverse that skirts around the southern flank of Side Pike, and before it meets up with the main path that ascends from the Blea Tarn road, look out for this faint path that provides a more interesting climb to the summit.
The “split boulder” on Side Pike
After a short easy scramble the “split boulder” is reached.
Book Four
The Southern Fells
Lingmoor Fell 6
“Langdale Pikes from Side Pike”
Wetherlam seen over Blea Tarn from the summit of Side Pike
Pike o’ Blisco, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from the summit of Side Pike
Looking back to Lingmoor Fell from Side Pike
The valley of Mickleden and the Langdale Pikes from the descent of Side Pike
Looking back to Side Pike and Lingmoor Fell
The “split boulder” is very prominent from this location on the ridge.
The two valleys of Oxendale and Mickleden which are divided by The Band
The Langdale Pikes over the path leading to the National Trust’s Great Langdale Campsite
“This footpath, an excellent short cut, is much preferred to the road via Wall End.” Lingmoor Fell 5
AW
A large boulder with prehistoric cup markings can be found in the woodland before reaching the campsite. It’s well worth a visit.
A well-earned treat at the National Trust’s Great Langdale Campsite
From the campsite follow the road for only a short distance, and then enter the field on the left to follow a more pleasant route through open pastures to Stickle Ghyll.
Another treat, this time at Lanty Slee’s (Stickle Barn).
Old Langdale Road
We now follow this track all the way to the village of Chapel Stile.
Looking back along the track with Harrison Stickle dominating the scene
A nice refreshing dip for Tika. Look how clear that water is!
Holy Trinity Church and the village of Chapel Stile
Great Langdale Beck between the villages of Chapel Stile and Elterwater
Thank you for visiting.
Richard
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Thanks, sources and further reading:
‘Book Four – The Southern Fells’ by Alfred Wainwright