Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn up Blea Rigg: route map, distance and time
542 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY301078
Blea Rigg is a long, knobbly ridge between Great Langdale and Easedale, a Wainwright that walkers cross on the way between Grasmere and Stickle Tarn.
A stepped, rocky path climbs beside Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn, then heads east along the ridge.
Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn at a glance
| Distance | 3.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 463 m |
| Time up | 1h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | New Dungeon Ghyll car park, Great Langdale |
| Start grid reference | NY 295 064 |
| Summit grid reference | NY301078 |
Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- Walker's Bar0.1 km
- Sticklebarn0.1 km
- Old Dungeon Ghyll Climbers Bar1.0 km
- Public toilets0.1 km
- Great Langdale Campsite1.0 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 35m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:08. Start by 15:03 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 15:00 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Blea Rigg summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 11 mph gusting 16 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:08.
-
Good Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 11°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 19 mph gusting 25 mph, 31% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
Best day of the next seven for Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 16 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Blea Rigg forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -1°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Blea Rigg
Blea Rigg is a long, knobbly ridge between Great Langdale and Easedale, a Wainwright that walkers cross on the way between Grasmere and Stickle Tarn. More about Blea Rigg, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Tarn Crag (549 m), 1.5 km north
- Pavey Ark (702 m), 1.7 km west
- Sergeant Man (736 m), 1.8 km north-west
- Codale Head (732 m), 1.8 km north-west
- Harrison Stickle (735 m), 2 km west
- Thunacar Knott (723 m), 2.2 km west
Challenges that include Blea Rigg
More walks from New Dungeon Ghyll car park, Great Langdale
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- New Dungeon Ghyll via Stickle Tarn up Harrison Stickle
- New Dungeon Ghyll via Pike How up Harrison Stickle
- Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn and Sergeant Man up High Raise
- New Dungeon Ghyll via Stickle Tarn up Loft Crag
- New Dungeon Ghyll via Stickle Tarn and North Rake up Pavey Ark
- New Dungeon Ghyll via Loft Crag up Pike of Stickle
- Stickle Gill and Stickle Tarn walking paths up Pike of Stickle
- Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn up Sergeant Man
- New Dungeon Ghyll via Stickle Tarn up Thunacar Knott
Other routes up Blea Rigg
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grasmere via Easedale Tarn | 5.8 km one way | 468 m | 1h 55m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 295 064, the summit at NY301078), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn: questions and answers
How far is Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn?
Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn is 3.3 km one way to the summit of Blea Rigg, with 463 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.6 km.
How long does Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn take?
About 1h 25m to the summit of Blea Rigg and 2h 5m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 35m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn?
Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn starts from New Dungeon Ghyll car park, Great Langdale. The grid reference is NY 295 064.
Is Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn today?
By 15:03 at the latest. Sunset on Blea Rigg today is 18:08, Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn takes about 2h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Great Langdale via Stickle Tarn?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).