The Langdales

The Langdales are the twin valleys of Great and Little Langdale, forged by fire and ice beneath the Langdale Pikes, the Lake District's most recognisable skyline. The historian G. M. Trevelyan helped bring much of it to the National Trust, which runs pay and display car parks at Stickle Ghyll, Old Dungeon Ghyll and Elterwater and the Great Langdale campsite. Walkers can choose the easy Mickleden valley trail beneath the Neolithic axe-factory crags, the gentle circuit of Blea Tarn, the tree trail among the giant redwoods of High Close, or the challenging climb beside the waterfalls of Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn. Cathedral Quarry has no parking nearby, and dogs go on leads. Tips from regulars: parking is tight in summer, so arrive early; members park free by checking in with the JustPark app; toilets are at Stickle Ghyll, beside the former Sticklebarn pub, now let as Lanty Slee's Langdale.