Things to do in Langdale…

Langdale is renowned for its natural beauty, quaint little cottages and iconic Langdale pikes. It’s not hard to lose track of time here, so here are the top things to do and places to visit in Langdale you don’t want to miss out on…

  • Cathedral Cavern 

Situated in Little Langdale within woodland near the Three Shires Inn pub, Cathedral Cavern is an impressive cave popular with climbers. Walkers can also enjoy the cave if prepared for rugged terrain and scattered slate-mining debris on the paths. 

  • Skelwith Bridge

The river trail between Skelwith Bridge and Elterwater is perfect for a day out hiking. A shorter, idyllic walk from the bridge to Skelwith Force is equally enjoyable and beautiful. The Skelwith Bridge café is a great spot for a lunch stop before or after your hike, serving an extraordinary variety of cakes! 

  • Cycling and mountain biking

The meandering nature of the Langdale valleys makes them a popular spot for cyclists and mountain bikers.  To explore the valleys and mountains on wheels, you can hire bikes from the National Trust Campsite in Great Langdale. 

  • Mountain walking

Langdale is surrounded by popular fells including the iconic Langdale Pikes; Pavey Ark, Loft Crag, Pike of Stickle and Harrison Stickle. Why not tick off four Wainwrights on your visit to Langdale? This superb walk can start from New Dungeon Ghyll and is around 8 miles. 

  • Wild Swimming

There are plenty places for a wild swim near Langdale both lowland in lakes and high up in tarns. Popular nearby swimming spots include Stickle Tarn, Elterwater, Blea Tarn and Rydal Water. 

  • Ghyll Scrambling

If you’re craving a bit of adventure, Langdale can provide this with the surrounding gorges, ghylls and rockpools creating the perfect place for a bit of ghyll scrambling and diving. Stickle Ghyll is a popular place for this with activities ran by expert guides from companies such as Path to Adventure. The adventure company provide scrambling days for families with young children aged 4+, extreme ghyll jumping for adrenaline junkies and ghyll scrambling and swimming. 

  • Fishing

There are a number of places to enjoy a fishing trip in Langdale, including Blea Tarn, and Loughrigg Tarn. It is important to research local fishing regulations before you set off and to acquire a rod license which are available from post offices or online. Loughrigg Tarn is a popular, all year-round fishing spot for catching roach, pike, perch and eels; you can buy a permit from Tarn End Farm.