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. 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.
Richard
“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
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.
This road continues to Baysbrown, but we’ll be leaving it at Cross Gates.
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
The village of Chapel Stile and Elterwater Quarry seen from the spoils of Banks Quarry.
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.
The track continues ahead, but a sign states “no access” to the quarry sites above. Instead take a path that turns sharply left and then winds its way up and onto the main ridge of Lingmoor Fell.
The spoils on the left are from Lingmoor Old Quarry and the ones on the right are from Lingmoor Quarry.
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 in the valley below.
Around the corner the ridge wall comes into view. We also have our first glimpse of purple heather.
The reason for walking this route this time of 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.
A faint path leads the way back to the ridge 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.
From the seat 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)
From the ruins re-join the ridge path, seen up on the right in the photo.
Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes come into view after climbing the first rise on the ridge. This is the first subsidiary top of the eastern ridge. 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 simply a case of following the wall.
Seen ahead, behind the second subsidiary top, Lingmoor Fell lies in shadow.
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 when you arrive at the second subsidiary top. Here, also, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell look majestic on the left skyline.
The view to the west from the summit, with Pike o’ Blisco, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell.
“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
The view to the north west from the summit, with Pike o’ Blisco, Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes.
“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 view to the north east from the summit, with the eastern spine over Blea Rigg, Lang How and Silver How.
Book Four
The Southern Fells
Lingmoor Fell 8
“The Coniston Fells”
On the descent from the summit rocks, the ridge wall can be seen leading the way to my favourite viewpoint in Lakeland, from the subsidiary top on the western ridge, visible here down on the right. Side Pike also comes into view just beyond the subsidiary top.
The view to the south west, with the Coniston Fells, Blake Rigg, Pike o’ Blisco, Crinkle Crags and Blea Tarn below.
“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
The view to the west from the summit, with Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, and the Langdale Pikes. I finally got Tika out of the way, and was rewarded with my favourite view in Lakeland.
Book Four
The Southern Fells
Lingmoor Fell 6
“Side Pike from the ridge up to Lingmoor Fell”
It took me a little longer though!
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.
After a short easy scramble this fascinating rock feature is reached.
Book Four
The Southern Fells
Lingmoor Fell 6
“Langdale Pikes from Side Pike”
The view to the south from the summit of Side Pike, with Wetherlam in shadow and Blea Tarn below.
The view to the west from the summit, with Pike o’ Blisco, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell, and the two side-valleys of Oxendale and Mickleden.
The “split boulder” is very prominent from this location on the ridge.
The two valleys of Oxendale and Mickleden are separated by The Band, a popular walking ridge leading the way to either Crinkle Crags or Bowfell.
Join the path that leads 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.
From the campsite follow the road for only a short distance, and then enter the field on the left for a more pleasant route through open pastures to Stickle Ghyll.
Another rest stop, this time at Lanty Slee’s, formally the Stickle Barn.
From Lanty Slee’s, follow this track along the valley bottom all the way to the village of Chapel Stile.
A nice refreshing dip for Tika. Look how clear that water is!
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Thanks, sources and further reading:
‘Book Four – The Southern Fells’ by Alfred Wainwright