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One of the best views from this Jacks Rake Walk. This picture is from the top of Pavey Ark, one of the Langdale Pikes. You can see Stickle Tarn to the centre quite well as it's the closest, Windermere Lake to the far left, Coniston Water centre in the far distance and the small Blea Tarn to the right.
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A breathtaking walk & tricky scramble up to Pavey Ark via Jack's Rake, then onto Harrison Stickle & Pike of Stickle in Langdale, Lake District
Distance: 6.2 miles
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
(Jacks Rake poses the greatest challenge. It's a grade 1 scramble, but for experienced walkers with a head for heights it is more than doable in good conditions)
Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle & Pike of Stickle (3 of the Langdale Pikes) via Jacks Rake - Walking Route Map
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(Walking Route Map - Click to Enlarge). We started this walk at the car park near the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel. We then walked up hill following the well marked path alongside Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn. Then it was off the beaten track to scramble up Jacks Rake to the top of Pavey Ark. From there we headed to the summit of Harrison Stickle, then Pike of Stickle and then downhill back to the start via Loft Crag and Mark gate. It's a popular walk up to some iconic akeland fells and is a must for all keen walkers in the Lake District. |
The photos from the walk:
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The first section of the walk heads up alongside Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn. It's all uphill from here. |
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Looking back down the Langdale Valley on one of the many stops to soak up the views (and take a breather :-) |
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Stickle Tarn is an ideal spot to take a rest, grab bite to eat and drink, decide if you really want to do Jacks Rake and figure out the path you will need to take to get to the start of Jacks Rake. |
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Here I've highlighted the route of Jacks Rake. It's looks more difficult/dangerous from a distance trust me! Just take note of where it starts. |
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Approaching the start of Jacks Rake. It's quite tricky walking up this scree. |
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When the weather is good Jacks Rake is a popular walk and it is on the day we are here, with a couple of groups just ahead of us. As you can see - it looks much more manageable from this angle and you can see the gulley that the first section of the rake. |
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When we get to the start of Jacks Rake the views of Stickle Tarn are already superb. |
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Scrambling up the first section of Jacks Rake, you feel quite safe tucked in the gulley. Physically I would say this first section up to the Rowan Tree is the most demanding, but you feel the least exposed. |
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We reach the Rowan Tree and the scramble is easier from here on, although you do start feeling a little more exposed. Nothing an experienced walker with a head for heights can't handle though. |
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Picture of me - with a bit of a sweat on - but happy to get this far and soak up the views. I felt completely safe up here and not in danger once - but it was sunny/dry and not windy at all. As long as you stay away from edge you'll be fine! |
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We are getting quite high above Stickle Tarn now - and you can see Windermere in the distance. |
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Making a final push to the summit of Pavey Ark |
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There are amazing views from every step up Jacks Rake! |
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Getting near the summit of Pavey Ark now! |
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We made it! This is one of the best views from this Jacks Rake walk. This picture is from the top of Pavey Ark, one of the Langdale Pikes. You can see Stickle Tarn to the centre quite well as it's the closest, Windermere Lake to the far left, Coniston Water centre in the far distance and the small Blea Tarn to the right. |
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Me and my mates - with the camera perched on a rock and timer put on- just about made it! |
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Coming down from Pavey Ark we head to Harrison Stickle for similar views and then onto Pike of Stickle |
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There were lots of groups of walkers coming down off Pike of Stickle when we got there. |
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It's all down hill now from Pike of Stickle to Loft Crag. |
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Looking back up to Harrison Stickle (right) and Loft crag (left) |
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From here it's all the way back to the start and for a nice cold pint. This is a great walk and highly recommended, especially via Jacks Rake. |
Happy Hiking!
Post by Stuart Hodgson
'The Hiking Photographer'
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