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Crinkle Crags, Bowfell [S] GradeGradeGradeGradeINDY    Jul 02, 2025 Old Dungeon Ghyll, Red Tarn, Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Esk Pike, The Band
10.35 miles, 6.42 h, Ascent 4,170 ft     Imperial | MetricWainwright Pictorial Guide: The Southern Fells
Paw INDY SAYS: We had terrible weather until half way over Crinkle Crags, then it gradually cleared. This is a rocky route, not much water after the initial climb

A full day hike starting in Old Dungeon Ghyll. Crinkle Crags ridge via Red Tarn before the climb to Bowfell. An excursion to Esk Pike before descending via the Band

Start point, map and route information at bottom of page

Today we tackle Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from Old Dungeon Ghyll


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Track to Stool End farm. The Crinkles are shrouded in cloud


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After Stool End farm, we turn left and make our way initially alongside Oxendale Beck


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Time for a quick drink


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before we cross the bridge and start the climb to Red Tarn



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Looking behind us to the Langdale Pikes. We speak to a chap who is already descending - he had planned the same route as us but did not want to walk in the clouds. We carry on, hoping that the clouds will lift


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It is spitting and windy, I stop to put a layer and a hat on



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Plenty of water on this first section


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We are arriving at the Red Tarn plateau



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Red Tarn, where we have our first break


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We wait 20 mins for the clouds on the Crinkles to lift, but if anything it is getting worse. We set off, some hikers pass us on the way down - they have given up



This is what awaits us




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We persevere, but the way ahead remains uninviting


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Clouds swirl around the first Crinkle



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This is what the path looks like, the wind is ferocious


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and we arrive at a summit in complete whiteout



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Almost a view through the clouds...



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and we get the impression that perhaps it is clearing ahead of us



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Making our way across the Crinkles


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We take a short breather



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Then carry on


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and catch a good sighting of Windermere



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There are 5 Crinkles


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and we visit them all



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For the first time today, Bowfell is free of cloud and the route ahead is clear. 'Three Tarns' in the foreground.



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The last part of Crinkle Crags


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Before we arrive at 'Three Tarns', of which this is the largest



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When we look behind us, we can see Red Tarn where we stopped earlier. It seems to be quite some distance away


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Climbing Bowfell



Crinkle Crags, Bowfell Jul 02, 2025 - Image 1

At the summit of Bowfell


Because the weather has now improved and we missed out on some earlier views, we decide to add in an excursion to Esk Pike

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from where we can see Derwent Water, Keswick, Skiddaw and more



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Summit of Esk Pike


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View towards Scafell Pike



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Returning via Bowfell, this is the 'Great Slab'


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The clear path below is The Band, our return route


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We make our way downhill



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Stool End farm below


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A good side-on view of the Langdale Pikes


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Almost at Stool End Farm




Start:
1. Bus service from Kendal/Windermere/Grasmere to Old Dungeon Ghyll
2. Car parking in Old Dungeon Ghyll NT car park [NY 28609 06108]. Poor mobile signal for apps, take plenty of £1 coins

Route:
Old Dungeon Ghyll, Red Tarn, Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Esk Pike, The Band 10.35 miles, 6.42 h, Ascent 4,170 ft
Route maps from Ordnance Survey are scaled 1:25000 unless mentioned otherwise.
Km, hike time and metres of ascent as supplied by OS. Planned route

Route Map and Details


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