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The Langdales
An adventure playground of meandering trails, rugged slopes, craggy summits
Great Langdale, near Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9JU
Opening times for 15 July 2025
Asset Opening time Countryside Dawn - Dusk Great Langdale Campsite Open all day MTWTFSS3012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123OpenPartially openClosed- Car park
Parking at Stickle Ghyll (OS: NY294065) is pay & display (NT members free). Space for 2 coaches - booking essential via email langdale@nationaltrust.org.uk Parking at Elterwater OS: NY328047 is pay & display (NT members free) Parking at Old Dungeon Ghyll OS: NY286061 is pay & display (NT members free)
- Dogs allowed
Dogs are welcome, but due to livestock grazing please keep them on leads
- Toilet
There are toilets at Stickle Ghyll in the car park.
Accessible parking at Stickle Ghyll, Elterwater and Old Dungeon Ghyll.
- Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet at Lanty Slee's Langdale, located on the ground floor next to the side door entrance. (Not NT)
- Designated parking
One accessible parking space on the tarmac approach road outside Elterwater car park Four accessible parking spaces at Stickle Ghyll car park Two accessible parking spaces at Old Dungeon Ghyll car park
- Level access/terrain
There is a wide, level footpath between Elterwater and Skelwith Bridge
- Steps/uneven terrain
There are a series of low-level paths that form a circular route, over rough terrain, from Elterwater to the head of the valley. Most footpaths in the area have rough surfaces and are uneven in places. High Close Estate: Sloping woodland paths and some steps. Level access to picnic areas.
Welcome Hut in Stickle Ghyll Car Park - what3words: ///acoustics.browsers.dressing
- By road
Junction 36 M6, then A591 from Kendal to Ambleside, A593 from Ambleside to Skelwith Bridge, then take the B543 to Great Langdale.
Parking: Parking at Stickle Ghyll (OS: NY294065) is pay & display. Coach parking for 2 coaches - must be pre-booked via email langdale@nationaltrust.org.uk. Parking at Elterwater OS: NY328047 is pay & display. Parking at Old Dungeon Ghyll OS: NY286061 is pay & display (NT members free at all these car parks.)
Sat Nav: For High Close Estate: follow SAT NAV, LA22 9HJ.
- By train
Windermere Railway Station is 9 miles from Great Langdale. Catch 555 bus to Ambleside Kelsick Road, then change to the 516 going to Dungeon Ghyll. Check Stagecoach for bus timetables.
- By bus
Stagecoach 516 from Ambleside, alight at Langdale campsite.
- Cycling
Regional Route 37 (from Greenodd to Ambleside) then links from Skelwith Bridge all the way to Stickle Gyhll. For more information go to the Sustrans website
Great Langdale, near Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9JU
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting the Langdales with your dog
Find out which areas of the Langdale Valley you can explore with your dog. The Langdales is a three pawprint rated place.
Article
A Guide to Visiting Cathedral Quarry (Caves) Dramatic, beautiful – but under pressure
Enjoy your visit but plan ahead to reduce pressure on this sensitive landscape and nearby communities.
Highlights
High Close
Eleven acres of woodland tranquillity perched between Elterwater and Grasmere. Tree trail with giant redwoods and firs.
Stickle Ghyll Car Park
For access to footpaths to the Langdale Pikes, Stickle Ghyll tarn trail, bike and walk routes on valley tracks or to visit Lanty Slee's Langdale.
Elterwater car park
A great parking spot for a riverside amble or bike ride to Skelwith Force with choice of moderate walks over Loughrigg to High Close, Grasmere or to Cathedral Quarry (Caves).
Old Dungeon Ghyll car park
Ideal for accessing the high fells, Mickleden, the Pikes and long routes to Scafell Pike. This pay-and-display car park is located a further 400m along from Stickle Ghyll, just beyond the campsite
Walking and cycle trails
Plenty of trails from short easy walks to a fell-top expedition.
Cathedral Quarry (Caves)
Disused slate quarry, a legacy of the area’s quarrying past now slowly being reclaimed by nature. Enjoy a visit but plan ahead as there are no facilities or parking nearby.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to do in the Langdales
Head to the Langdales for stunning walking and cycling trails and discover rare trees and shrubs from around the world at High Close Estate and Arboretum.
Article
A Guide to Visiting Cathedral Quarry (Caves) Dramatic, beautiful – but under pressure
Enjoy your visit but plan ahead to reduce pressure on this sensitive landscape and nearby communities.
Top trails
Trail
Langdale Valley cycle trail
Take a 11-mile cycle trail through Langdale Valley with views and opportunities to stop for refreshments along the way.
Trail
Stickle Tarn trail
Take on a challenging and rewarding walk up Stickle Ghyll to the tarn above, surrounded by high fells, waterfalls and rockpools.
Trail
Mickleden Valley trail
Explore an easy route along the valley floor of Mickleden in the Langdales, taking in Neolithic history, looming crags and spectacular views of the Langdale Pikes.
Trail
Blea Tarn trail
Surround yourself with views of the Langdale Pikes and other Lake District fells, without the tough climb, as you explore tranquil Blea Tarn on this easy, well-made trail.
Trail
High Close tree trail
A 1.2-mile walk around the High Close estate that takes in many of the rare and endangered conifer trees planted here by Edward Wheatley-Balme during the 19th century.
Places to stay
Great Langdale Campsite
In the dramatic Langdale valley, a natural playground of trails, summits, waterfalls and small lakes, all accessible on foot.
Silverthwaite
An inspiring spot looking out over Langdale Valley with Arts and Crafts influenced detail inside.
Bird How
A remote cottage in the Eskdale valley offering a peaceful retreat in the Lake District.
Wasdale Campsite
A mile from Wastwater, close to challenging bike trails and Scafell Pike, England’s tallest mountain.
Rose Castle Cottage
A two-bedroom cottage just above Tarn Hows with heaps of character in the heart of the Lakes.
Low Wray Campsite
By Windermere, England’s largest lake, surrounded by things to do and places to visit.
Upcoming events
Event
Heritage Open Days - Guided Heritage Walk
We are delighted to be hosting these free guided walks as part of Heritage Open Days week - England’s largest festival of history and culture.
Event
High Close Arboretum - Hidden Natures and Histories
Join us at High Close Arboretum for a unique guided walk as part of our 'Hidden Nature & Histories' series here in the Lakes. Explore and learn more about one of our hidden gems, a truly special place a little bit off the beaten track.
Event
Evening Bat Walks in Langdale
Head out for family-friendly bat and wildlife spotting adventures after dark with our Ranger team in Langdale.
Event
Help Out Day: Coppicing at Elterwater
Help our rangers with coppicing at Rob Rash in Elterwater.
About The Langdales
Forged by fire and ice, the Langdales are dramatic to say the least. Home to the majestic Langdale Pikes and mountain tarns, this is a natural playground. The ambitious can tackle the major peaks, but it’s not all about high-level scrambling. The circular route around Blea Tarn is easily accessible, with views of Little and Great Langdale. High Close Estate and Arboretum, between Elterwater and Grasmere, offers 4.5 hectares (11 acres) of tranquillity, 1,000 years of fascinating history and rare trees from around the globe.
History
Article
The history of Langdale
Learn about the history of Langdale and the role of George Macaulay Trevelyan in shaping what you see today. Find out how William Wordsworth also played a part.
Our work
Our Ranger teams are delivering great work in nature conservation, mitigating climate change and ensuring our visitors have a great experience in the countryside.
Article
Tackling invasive species
To help protect biodiversity and natural habitats in the Lake District our Ranger teams are leading on an ongoing programme of work to tackle non-native invasive species. Our Countryside Volunteers play a vital role in delivering this work. Find out more about our work and the species we are focussing on in Langdale and Grasmere.
News
Riverlands wetland restoration at Blea Tarn
Learn about the work being done to combat climate change by restoring waterways and wetlands at Blea Tarn in The Langdales.
Project
Project
Riverlands: working to restore Cumbria's waterways
Find out more about the work the National Trust is doing with local partners, our farmers and other landowners in the area to help restore the Cumbria's rivers.
Support us
Activity
Help Out Days in central Lake District
Join our Help Out Days in the Lake District and make a positive impact on nature. Led by National Trust rangers and gardeners, learn new skills and get outside.
Volunteer with us
There are opportunities to join our regular countryside volunteer teams across the year. Search by location 'Lake District'