Date: Saturday 27th December 2025
Company: Myself and Ann-Marie
Distance: 13.5km, Ascent: 553m
Time: 3Hrs 53Mins
We drove to Langdale this morning for an ascent of Rossett Pike, one of my fourteen remaining Wainwrights. Thanks to arriving early, we managed to get a free parking space circa half a mile east of the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. Once suited and booted we walked along the road as far as the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.
Route:
After taking a quick photo of the hotel, we followed the signed track to Mickleden and the Cumbria Way.
Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel:
We then walked the Cumbria Way for four kilometres as far as a cairn marking the junction of tracks with one leading to Esk Hause and the other Stake Pass.
Herdwicks below Pike of Stickle and Glimmer Crags:
View towards Rossett Pike from the Cumbria Way:
A short distance beyond a footbridge over Rossett Gill, we reached the track junction where we left the Cumbria Way track to instead follow the track leading to Esk Hause.
Path junction beyond footbridge:
The track leading towards Esk Hause is a seriously impressive, well-constructed track.
Ascent towards Bowfell, Esk Pike and Rossett Pike:
As we gained height, we encountered numerous icy sections all of which were completely avoidable. No need for crampons or microspikes.
Ascending the track towards Rossett Pike:
Looking back towards Pike of Stickle and start of walk:
Ascending the track towards Rossett Pike:
On reaching the grassy section beyond the well-constructed track, we stopped for a quick drink before continuing on towards the summit of Rossett Pike.
Rossett Pike:
Icy track:
Rossett Pike:
After negotiating a short section of icy boulders, we reached the summit of Rossett Pike, which is a rock located ten metres from the cairn.
Ann-Marie approaching the summit of Rossett Pike:
Bowfell, Esk Pike and Great End from summit of Rossett Pike:
From the summit I could see three relatively nearby Wainwrights also still needed to complete a round: Esk Pike, Allen Crags and Glaramara. However, given the current amount of daylight, the fact I had carried only a litre of water and no food, and given Ann-Marie looked knackered and I wasn't prepared to leave her to return herself, we returned from the summit of Rossett Pike back to Langdale.
Esk Pike, Glaramara and Allen Crags will still be there on another day possibly for an ascent from Seathwaite.
View from cairn located ten metres from the summit rock:
Sheiling at footbridge:
On getting back to the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, we visited the Climber's Bar where I had a really nice pint.
Post-walk pint in the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel:
Another enjoyable day in the Lake District.