Stickle Tarn from Langdale
Cumbria
Stickle Tarn is the dark mountain tarn dammed at the foot of Pavey Ark, reached by the pitched stone path that climbs beside the tumbling waters of Stickle Ghyll. The route from the New Dungeon Ghyll gains the tarn in just under two miles of steep work, with dramatic waterfalls, rock pools and ferny gorges most of the way, opening out to a full-throttle view of the Langdale Pikes at the top. It is a dog friendly walk for sturdy dogs, short but genuinely steep and rough underfoot.
Park at the NT Stickle Ghyll car park next to Sticklebarn (pay and display, free for members). Water bowls are at the car park and an outdoor tap outside Sticklebarn. The path runs through working sheep country with ground-nesting birds higher up, and dogs must be on a short lead throughout. The terrain is pitched stone steps and occasional easy scrambles across the beck, with reliable water all the way; it gets slippery in the wet. Sticklebarn, next to the car park, is one of the most reliably dog friendly pubs in the Lakes.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.0 km (2.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Lake, Waterfall, Moorland
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- None
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Dog friendly Sticklebarn pub with outdoor tap and water bowls; New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel next door.
- Parking
- NT Stickle Ghyll pay and display, free for members; busy on summer weekends from 9am.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stickle Tarn from Langdale dog friendly?
Stickle Tarn from Langdale is rated 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's a genuinely rewarding outing for the right dog. The route suits sturdy, confident dogs well — it's short at just under two miles each way, but steep and rough underfoot, with pitched stone steps and some easy scrambling across the beck. Sticklebarn, right next to the car park, is one of the most reliably dog friendly pubs in the Lakes, so there's a good reward waiting at the end.
Can dogs be off lead at Stickle Tarn from Langdale?
Dogs need to be kept on a short lead throughout this walk, so off-lead running isn't an option here. The path passes through working sheep country, and there are ground-nesting birds higher up on the fell, so the lead rule applies the whole way to the tarn. It's worth bearing in mind if your dog finds lead walking on rough terrain tricky.
What should I know before visiting Stickle Tarn from Langdale with my dog?
The climb beside Stickle Ghyll is steep and the pitched stone path can get slippery in wet weather, so good grip — for you and your dog — is worth thinking about before you set off. There's reliable water all the way up the route, and the car park has water bowls and an outdoor tap outside Sticklebarn, so keeping your dog hydrated is straightforward. Parking is at the NT Stickle Ghyll pay and display car park (free for National Trust members), but it fills up fast on summer weekends, often from 9am, so an early start is a good idea.
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What’s Nearby?
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