Little Langdale Walks: Lingmoor and Side Pike

Long expeditions into the fells may become less appealing as the days become shorter, colder and wetter. However, in Little Langdale we are blessed with a relatively short, but spectacular, loop which you can begin right from the door of the Three Shires Inn.

This walk over Lingmoor and Side Pike definitely proves you don’t have to climb too high to enjoy some of the best views in the Lake District. There are a few steep, but relatively short, ascents on good paths with varied scenery and a consistently glorious outlook. It’s a great way to spend a crisp, clear afternoon or, if you’re feeling really energetic, you might be able to run it all before breakfast!

As always, be prepared for any weather, and make sure you have a map and compass and the ability to find your way. Even the low fells can be confusing in a snowstorm!

The Three Shires Inn to Lingmoor

From the door of the Three Shires Inn turn right and walk up the road, passing the turn-off going downhill towards Tilberthwaite and Cathedral Cave. Continue up the road until you see a tarmac lane with walls on both sides heading off to the right with a blue ‘Unsuitable for motor vehicles’ sign.

Follow this lane until it turns into a gravel track (passing through a yard which is often filled with chickens) until you reach a gate on the left where a path heads uphill to another gate and dry stone wall. Go through the gates and follow a clear path which winds up the side of the fell, with excellent views across Little Langdale Tarn towards the Coniston fells.

The path heads to the left (west) almost opposite a craggy outcrop and then runs generally parallel with a wall on the right, passing some old mine workings and shelters. Numerous little paths lead off the main route, but it is easiest to stick on the widest track, which eventually brings you to the rocky little summit of Lingmoor.

The summit itself is reached by crossing a stile. It is a great place to sit and enjoy the impressive sight which is the head of Great Langdale and its array of fells and pikes.

Lingmoor to Side Pike

Two walls meet at right angles at the summit of Lingmoor. One heads through heathery ground in the direction of Great Langdale. One drops quite steeply downhill (south west). Follow this wall to a little dip in the land among some trees where you can cross it via a stile. The path then runs down parallel to a beck and trees to the road near Blea Tarn.

At the road turn right and follow it around until you see the signpost for Side Pike on the right. A path climbs quite steeply up towards Side Pike. The rocky flank of the fell, which faces the path, is steep (there are a selection of rock climbing routes here). However, if you go through a gate and skirt below the rockface you can follow a path which winds around to the top and more lovely views.

Follow the path back down to the gate and then follow the wall that climbs uphill. Keep parallel with the wall on a good path until you can cross a stile.

After crossing the stile make sure you head right, climbing quite steeply next to another wall. It is then just a matter of following the path by the wall as it passes through heathery, humpy ground on the way back to the summit of Lingmoor. The path is narrow, rough and boggy at points, so watch your step.

Lingmoor back to the Three Shires Inn

The path and wall eventually lead all the way back to the summit of Lingmoor, where you can retrace your steps across the fell and back down to the road and then the Three Shires Inn.