Stickle Tarn
Stickle Tarn is a small mountain lake sitting in a dramatic bowl at the head of Great Langdale, beneath the sheer cliff face of Pavey Ark and the slopes of Harrison Stickle. These peaks, along with Pike of Stickle, once formed the outer rim of a massive volcano. A stone dam was built across the southern edge of the lake in 1838 to create a reliable water supply for the gunpowder works at Elterwater, further down the valley. The hike to the lake starts from the National Trust car park at New Dungeon Ghyll and follows a winding paved stone path. It is about 2.4 km each way and does get steep in some sections. The hike follows a small river that is dotted with waterfalls and cascades along the way that are worth stopping for, especially after a rain. Once you reach the top and the tarn opens up in front of you, the view is immediately worth the effort!. The main composition is from the dam looking north across the dark water toward the cliff face of Pavey Ark. On calm days the crags reflect cleanly in the surface of the tarn. You can sometimes spot climbers on Jack's Rake (the imposing diagonal scramble route that cuts across the face of Pavey Ark). A footpath runs along the eastern shore if you want to get closer to the base of the cliffs or change your angle. Early morning is the best time for reflections and for having the place to yourself. This is one of the popular walk in the Lake District and the path can get busy from mid-morning onward. (Great Langdale, Cumbria, England)
