Given the vast options for walkers in Langdale there’s plenty of parking opportunities the main one being the car park at the Old Dungeon Ghyll hotel.

From here you follow the road down to Stool End farm (above), which is at the foot of the ascent to Bowfell, this initial section is known as The Band. The picture below shows The Band in all its glory from Side Pike opposite the Langdale Pikes.

As you climb The Band you are treated to fine views back down the Langdale valley across to Pike O Stickle, and the old axe factory on the western slopes as seen here below.

To the southern side of Oxendale Beck in the valley below is Great Knott, Cold Pike and Bike O Blisco opposite.

The path from here is a gradual climb along a well cairned route.

Eventually the path levels out at a small plateaux, looking back over the route from Langdale below.

Crinkle Crags are to the left and can easily be accessed via the Band. At the top of the Band you reach a recess in the ridge between Crinkle Crags and Bowfell known as Three Tarns, for obvious reasons there are indeed three Tarns here fairly small in size but make for a good place to stop for a break and add some foreground interest for shots over to Scafell Pike with Bowfell Links to the right.

Below is a zoomed in shot of England’s highest Peak, Scafell Pike.

Continuing onwards up to Bowfell this next section is fairly testing and quite steep in parts.

There are interesting rock formations on the scramble up to the Summit.

As you continue to climb you pass the magnificent Great Slab. No questions why its called this. Note how small the Langdale Pikes now look and the Langdale Valley below.

You eventually reach the bouldered summit where you are greeted with fine views over the Scafell Range, Eskdale Valley, Langdale, Esk Haus and Great End.

These 360 degree panorama gives you an idea of the view.

The Eskdale Valley from Bowfell Summit is shown below.

You have a few choices for descending Bowfell, on this particular occasion I descended via the same route up, I think next time though it would be worth continuing round in a loop towards Angle Tarn and back down the Cumbrian Way and into Langdale.

Bowfell’s Eastern approach has some interesting features namely The Great Slab and Bowfell Buttress. I met a guy once who claims the water from the spring at Bowfell Buttress is the finest in the Lake District. He was about 80 years old and had been drinking it for years….

Back down in the valley and heading back to the car, The Langdale Pikes have a different perspective from this viewpoint.

If you have a full day I’d recommend Crinkle Crags and Bowfell in one go. Starting and finishing from the same point.

Here you can see more details regards my Lake District Landscape Photography.