NY2807 : Pavey Ark, Summit
Challenging; Jack’s Rake is Grade 1 scrambling

Pavey Ark

702m Elevation
16m Prominence
England Country
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NY2807 : Pavey Ark, Summit

Michael Graham Photo source

Overview

Pavey Ark is a 701.6 m Langdale Pike above Stickle Tarn, with a dramatic climbing cliff and a small rocky summit. The North Rake approach leads onto the upper fell without taking Jack’s Rake, the separate exposed Grade 1 scramble across the face. Even the walking circuit is steep, rocky and demanding.

Pavey Ark

Overview

Pavey Ark rises to 701.6 m above Great Langdale in the central Lake District. The catalogue summit is tiny cairn on rock at NY 28456 07906, 701.6 m above sea level. The marker is small; take care near the cliff edge overlooking Stickle Tarn.

Complete summit circuit

The Langdale Pikes circuit starts and finishes at New Dungeon Ghyll car park, using the guide’s grid NY 295 064. It climbs Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn and North Rake to Pavey Ark, then visits Thunacar Knott, Harrison Stickle, Pike of Stickle, Loft Crag and Thorn Crag. Return from the gap beside Loft Crag on the established zigzag path and follow the lower gates past the hotel to the same car park. The published estimate is approximately 8 km and 4½ hours for the whole circuit. There are hands-on steps on Pike of Stickle. Do not substitute the tarn-only walk’s figures or an ascent-only distance.

Terrain and safety

North Rake is steep and rocky. Jack’s Rake is a separate, exposed Grade 1 scramble across Pavey Ark’s cliff, often wet and slippery. Do not use it, Easy Gully or the Dungeon Ghyll ravine as an improvised shortcut. Keep clear of cliff edges; wet steps, loose stones and stream crossings demand care. Turn back if water is too high to cross safely. Carry navigation equipment and use a mountain forecast. Snow, ice, strong winds and low cloud greatly increase the seriousness of this terrain.

Access, parking and facilities

The National Trust lists Stickle Ghyll parking at NY 294 065, in the New Dungeon Ghyll area. Parking is paid, with members free, and toilets are in the car park. Lanty Slee’s Langdale occupies the former Sticklebarn. Stagecoach 516 serves the valley via Ambleside; check your stop, service date and last return. Keep dogs on leads around livestock, use established paths and obey local access and nesting-bird notices. Check BMC RAD before climbing or scrambling on the crags.

Geology and views

Pavey Ark gives its name to a member of the Seathwaite Fell Formation within the Borrowdale Volcanic Group. Its massive breccia and pebbly sandstone include volcanic fragments deposited by eruption-related flows under water. The cliff and surrounding glacial landscape reflect both ancient volcanism and later erosion.

In clear weather the summit looks down to Stickle Tarn and across Harrison Stickle, Great Langdale, the Coniston fells and the Helvellyn range.

Name and history

In a letter published in the Fell & Rock Climbing Club’s 1921 Journal, W. G. Collingwood proposed a meaning of Pavia’s shieling or summer dairy. He presented this as a conjecture, rather than an established derivation.

Pavey Ark is a nationally important climbing crag with a long place in Lakeland mountaineering. Its cliff routes and Jack’s Rake are distinct from the summit walking approaches. Rock climbing was an early draw for visitors to Great Langdale.

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Langdale Pikes circuit via North Rake

Start and finish at the New Dungeon Ghyll car park (guide grid NY 295 064). Climb beside Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn, follow the eastern shore towards Bright Beck and ascend North Rake to Pavey Ark. Continue over Thunacar Knott and Harrison Stickle, then cross Harrison Combe to Pike of Stickle. Retrace the summit scramble, continue to Loft Crag and visit Thorn Crag before returning to the gap between them. Descend the established zigzag path, cross the lower stream and follow the gates past the hotel to the same car park. Country Walking gives approximately 8 km and 4½ hours for this complete circuit. Steep rocky ground, stream crossings and hands-on steps require sure-footedness. This route does not use Jack’s Rake.

8 km ~4.5 hours Challenging
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Nuttall Wainwright Birkett Synge Fellranger

Elevation

702m

2,302 ft

Prominence

16m

Coordinates

54.4615, -3.1052

NY284079

OS Map

89 90

Explorer: OL6N

At the Summit

The catalogue summit is tiny cairn on rock at NY 28456 07906, 701.6 m above sea level. The marker is small; take care near the cliff edge overlooking Stickle Tarn.

Terrain & Geology

Stone-pitched ascent beside Stickle Ghyll boulder stream crossings steep North Rake rocky summit steps boggy upland between tops and a steep winding descent near Dungeon Ghyll.

Pavey Ark gives its name to a member of the Seathwaite Fell Formation within the Borrowdale Volcanic Group. Its massive breccia and pebbly sandstone include volcanic fragments deposited by eruption-related flows under water. The cliff and surrounding glacial landscape reflect both ancient volcanism and later erosion.

Views & Scenery

In clear weather the summit looks down to Stickle Tarn and across Harrison Stickle, Great Langdale, the Coniston fells and the Helvellyn range.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

In a letter published in the Fell & Rock Climbing Club’s 1921 Journal, W. G. Collingwood proposed a meaning of Pavia’s shieling or summer dairy. He presented this as a conjecture, rather than an established derivation.

Historical Significance

Pavey Ark is a nationally important climbing crag with a long place in Lakeland mountaineering. Its cliff routes and Jack’s Rake are distinct from the summit walking approaches. Rock climbing was an early draw for visitors to Great Langdale.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

National Trust Stickle Ghyll car park at New Dungeon Ghyll, NY 294 065, LA22 9JU. It is pay-and-display; National Trust members park free. Payment machines and JustPark are available (car location 80604). Keep gates, road access and emergency routes clear. The selected historic circuit uses NY 295 064 as its New Dungeon Ghyll start reference.

Public Transport

Stagecoach 516 serves Great Langdale and Dungeon Ghyll via Ambleside. Check the current timetable, the New Dungeon Ghyll stop and the last return bus for your date before setting out; service patterns change seasonally.

Nearby Facilities

There are toilets at the National Trust Stickle Ghyll car park. Food and drink are available in the New Dungeon Ghyll area, including Lanty Slee’s Langdale in the former Sticklebarn; check opening hours. Carry food and drinking water for the full mountain circuit.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • North Rake is a steep, rough mountain approach with rocky steps. The circuit also includes hands-on scrambling on Pike of Stickle; it is not an easy or entirely hands-free walk.
  • Jack’s Rake crosses Pavey Ark’s cliff face as an exposed Grade 1 scramble. Wet rock and the open drop make a slip potentially fatal. It is separate from the North Rake circuit and should not be improvised as a shortcut or descent.
  • Keep away from cliff edges above Stickle Tarn and the Dungeon Ghyll ravine. Follow the established return path; do not descend gullies or waterfalls to cut the route short.
  • Wet stone steps, loose rock and boulder fields need care. Stickle Ghyll and Bright Beck crossings can become difficult after rain; turn back if a crossing is unsafe.
  • Cloud can hide the intricate paths and summit exits. Carry a map and compass and know how to use them; check the mountain forecast and allow enough daylight for the return.
  • Keep dogs on leads around livestock. Before climbing or scrambling on the crags, consult BMC access notices and obey local nesting-bird restrictions.

Seasonal Hazards

Rain makes pitched paths and rocky steps slippery and can raise streams quickly. Low cloud and strong winds make cliff-edge navigation more serious in any season. Snow or ice turns steep paths and scrambling steps into winter mountaineering terrain; choose a lower walk unless equipped and skilled for those conditions. Plan around short winter daylight.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Pavey Ark?

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Location

Pavey Ark location map

Grid reference: NY284079

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