Guide to the Grade 2 Crinkle Gill scramble in Great Langdale, Lake District, covering the approach, waterfalls, amphitheatre section, escape and return routes. It’s an excellent but committing scramble, with two Grade 2 waterfalls and several easier Grade 1/1+ pitches that offer a serious challenge.
Route in: park or bus to Old Dungeon Ghyll; head west past Stool End Farm along the main path up Oxendale
Start point: past a rocky outcrop to the left of the beck around OS ref NY 26303 05131
Grading: there are two grade 2 waterfalls and several grade 1/1+ pitches
Warning: there are occasional escape routes but they are steep so, once in Crinkle Gill, you are quite committed; after rain you will get very wet climbing the amphitheatre waterfall so best to go in dry conditions
End point: where the beck disappears near NY 25393 04617
Route out: options include heading south to the ridge path and descending via Red Tarn; scrambling/slogging up Mickle Door scree or Third Crinkle to reach the Crinkle Crags ridge; or, shortest, heading north below Mickle Door and descending east via Whorney Side.
Map link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/crinkle-gill-4639164
Time: 50 mins from CP to start point; then 2.5-3 hours up Crinkle Gill; then 75-120 mins to walk back depending on the route chosen
Parking note: car park at Old Dungeon Ghyll is Catch-22 – no cash or card, only parking app but no mobile signal, free for National Trust members; can park at New Dungeon Ghyll but that’s nearly an extra mile to walk each way
Combine with: Third Crinkle, Bowfell Links, Hell Gill
Gear: climbing helmet plus some waterproof gear if there’s been any recent rain
Verdict: an epic if episodic scramble in dramatic and varied terrain that’s a serious challenge for grade 1-2 scramblers
Category: Top-rated
Score: 8/10
Video guide:
Map:
Map image/data from OpenStreetMap via AllTrails
The Grade 1 Scrambler 
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