The Grade 1 Scrambler

Grade 1 scramble on Crinkle Crags in Great Langdale, Lake District; following the “Garden Path” route. A short, enjoyable scramble on excellent rock that’s a good add-on if you are already scrambling one of the Oxendale gills.

Route in: park or bus to Old Dungeon Ghyll; head west past Stool End Farm into Oxendale and then either: hike up Whorney Side (no marked path), scramble up Crinkle Gill (grade 2), or take the path south to Red Tarn, along the top of Crinkle Crags and down the scree of Mickle Door (long, arduous)

Start point: to the left of the small south-end buttress on the upper half of the crag around OS ref NY 25146 04909

Grading: the approach is a steep, awkward grade 1; the scramble on the ridge is graded 1- but can be lower (ungraded hiking mainly on vegetation) or higher (grade 1/1+) depending on the line taken

Warning: this would be unpleasant and insecure in wet weather

End point: summit cairn at NY 25000 04981, after 150m of ascent of which half is classed as approach

Route out: best to walk north on the ridge path to Three Tarns and then down The Band; or you could down-scramble the crag and then east down Whorney Side

Map link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/third-crinkle-d90c3c5

Time: 90 mins from Old Dungeon Ghyll to start point via Whorneyside, or 3-4 hours if instead you scramble up Crinkle Gill; c.30 mins of approach/scrambling on the crag; then 75-90 mins to walk back depending on the route chosen

Note: Third Crinkle is sometimes confused with Gunson Knott, which is actually the fifth crag on the ridge, not the third

Parking note: Old Dungeon Ghyll car park: payment by app only, but there is no mobile signal, so sort this in advance. Free for National Trust members. New Dungeon Ghyll is an alternative but adds about a mile each way.

Combine with: Crinkle Gill, Bowfell Links, Hell Gill, Yeastyrigg Crags

Gear: normal hillwalking/scrambling kit

Verdict: not worth its own journey but if you are already in the area on a dry day, it offers a short, enjoyable scramble on excellent rock.

Category: Standard

Score: 7/10

Video:

Map:

Map image/data from OpenStreetMap via AllTrails