Steep Hike to Stickle Tarn

One of the Most Spectacular Set Pieces in the English Lake District

Jun 17, 2008 Anthony Toole

Stickle Tarn lies in a hidden hollow high above Great Langdale, near Ambleside. One comes upon it quite suddenly after a rugged climb up a well-worn footpath.

Fit adults and children can undertake the ascent in little more than an hour, though the importance of waterproof/windproof clothing and strong footwear cannot be overemphasised. The return distance is around 2.5 miles, with a total ascent of 1200 feet.

Tarns

The word 'tarn' is of Scandinavian origin, having been used by Viking settlers in the Lake District to describe the lonely, bleak pools, some of them tiny, that lie high in the hills. They compared these with 'tjorns', or teardrops, trickling water down the cheeks of the mountains. The Lake District contains fewer than 20 lakes, but more than a hundred tarns.

The Ascent

The walk begins at the National Trust car park next to the Stickle Barn, at the head of Great Langdale valley. After passing through two gateways, the broad track follows the west bank of Mill Beck, past a series of rocky pools overhung by trees. It then crosses a wooden footbridge and makes its way up the east bank. After a stile, the track now continues up steeper, more bouldery ground, yet still following the stream.

A set of nearly vertical rock slabs rising above the track to the right marks the place where boulders provide stepping-stones across the river. These are relatively straight forward, but require care when wet, or if the river is in spate.

A final scramble over more boulders leads to a levelling out of the track and a short walk to the dam that blocks the outflow of Stickle Tarn.

Spectacular Scenery

The setting of the tarn is one of the most dramatic in the Lake District, and made even more so by its abrupt appearance. More than 600 feet above and to the left stands the summit of Harrison Stickle, one of the Langdale Pikes and the highest peak in the mountain group.

The scene, however, is dominated by the huge bulk of Pavey Ark, rising from the far shore of the tarn. Snaking up the face from right to left can be seen the thin line of the very exposed scramble known as Jack’s Rake. By following this unlikely-looking route, it is possible for a non-climber, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, to ascend this precipice with relative ease.

The great bowl that holds the waters of Stickle Tarn is known geologically as a cwm or corrie. It was carved out of the mountain by a glacier during the last Ice Age, more than ten thousand years ago.

Descent

One can walk round the shore of the tarn for a closer look at Pavey Ark, though the track disappears in places. Alternatively, one can cross the dam to where the tarn runs into Mill Beck. From here, another track leads downwards, overlooking the route of ascent. This soon drops more steeply to the foot of Tarn Crag.

An excellent stone staircase has been constructed from here, which zig-zags down to the valley. This is, however, extremely steep and needs care, particularly in poor weather. It descends quickly to re-join the ascent track just above the stile. The track is now followed back to the car park and welcome refreshments in the Stickle Barn.

Maps: Harvey, British Mountain Maps: Lake District;

Ordnance Survey, Landranger 90

The copyright of the article Steep Hike to Stickle Tarn in Backpacking, Hiking & Camping is owned by Anthony Toole. Permission to republish Steep Hike to Stickle Tarn in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.