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Langdale to Wasdale High Level Route (Use Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure 4 map - The English Lakes North Western Area) To view a cross-section of the route click here This excellent route takes in Scafell Pike the highest mountain in England with a descent on to Brown Tongue leading into Wasdale. It's appeal lies in the elusiveness of the Pike as it is screened by other fells during most of the route and remains concealed until the final stages. Several other summits are passed on the route and should bad weather prevail, Scafell Pike can be bypassed and a pleasant low level route can be taken via Sty Head and then leading to the Wasdale Head Inn. From the ODG go back up Mickledon. This provides an easy level warm up before the delights of Rosset Gill! See Pike O Stickle high on the right and Bowfell Crags to the left at the head of the valley. Before the Mickledon sheepfold see the glacial moraines on the left. Beyond the sheepfold see the right turn up towards Stake Pass and Borrowdale. Do not take this path but carry on heading towards Rossett Gill – this is where the exercise starts! The path climbs gradually at first becoming steep and very stony especially through the steep chasm of Rossett Pass. See Rossett Pike to the right. When through the pass, and perhaps a well earned rest, walk over a grassy shelf and then with some surprise and concern start to lose altitude by descending down towards Angle Tarn. Approximately half a mile beyond the tarn see the turn right leading down to Langstrath and Borrowdale. To you left, see Esk Pike, with Great End ahead and Allen Crags to the right. Continue to wind your way up to Esk Hause. This is a notorious crossing point where people often get lost in bad weather. Here the paths of Eskdale, Borrowdale, and Langdale meet and especially with poor visibility a map and compass are essential. The walk to the summit of Scafell consists of easy gradients but becoming rough in places. From Esk Hause take the path to the left with Great End visible to the right. Subject to time and energy levels, it is well worth a brief detour up to Great End to take in the views down to the Borrowdale Valley and Sprinkling Tarn. From here, retrace your steps down to the main path and carry on passing Broad Crag, right and Ill Crag, left. From Ill Crag, the summit now comes into view. Here the feeling of accomplishment builds with a further half mile only to the summit. This is premature with two considerable descents (Ill Crag Col and Broad Crag Col). A huge boulder field is crossed before the final steep climb to the summit of England's highest mountain is reached. From here there are superb views of the peaks and valleys all round with the Isle of Man and the Scottish Hills visible on a clear day. From Scafell Pike, drop down to Lingmell Col before following the line of cairns coming down to Hollow Stones - an amphitheatre littered by boulders. Here the surrounding crags are impressive with Scafell Pike towering sensationally overhead, before coming down into Brown Tongue. This is a fine grassy descent with lovely views down into Wasdale Head, and back upwards towards Scafell Pike. The path fords Lingmell Gill and then across the Lingmell Fellside down to a footbridge crossing Lingmell Beck. Carry on to a well deserved rest at the Wasdale Head Inn. If you have the time, we recommend further days in Wasdale to fully appreciate the naming of Wasdale as the birthplace of British climbing. Take on the tapering pyramid of Great Gable, the relentless treadmill of Kirkfell or perhaps just relax and appreciate the peace and tranquillity of this remote and secluded valley. Total Route Mileage - approx 9 miles

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