STICKLE PIKE - Nov 21st 2008

A glorious little mountain that looks out over the Duddon Estuary in the southern Lake District. The great fell walker Alfred Wainwright described it as a mini Matterhorn. It’s not big. The whole circuit starting and finishing at the Blacksmith’s Arms pub in the hamlet of Broughton Mills will take no more than a couple of hours – three if you’re decrepit. 

But I defy you not to be captivated by its rocky, pointed summit and the great views towards the big mountains of central Lakeland and the Coniston Range. Below you Stickle Tarn reflects the sky (which will of course be blue with fluffy clouds when you take your dog there).

Across the Park Head Road is the mountain I’ve long described as The Mighty Caw which is well worth a visit when you’ve worked up the fitness a bit. If this is your (or your dog’s) first walk involving a bit of sharp ascent you can start and finish at the lay by on the Park Head Road which saves you a lot of climbing and gives you a circuit you can knock off in less than an hour.