Cold Pike & Pike O' Blisco circular walk

Monday 2nd October 2023

Cold Pike & Pike O' Blisco circular walk.

I've always climbed these two from Great Langdale and always enjoyed it, a great walk in a fantastic part of the lakes. But I have never climbed them via the other side from Wrynose Pass, so this was a little into the unknown for me. I think I've never been able to plan a circular walk for these two that was long enough to justify the drive to the lakes and back - most routes seem to be of a 'balloon' type, i.e. out, then a small circular and back via the same path. But as I'm always reluctant to do 'out and backs' if I can help it. So, I decided to climb Cold Fell, cross over to Pike O'Blisco then head down to Blea Tarn and back up Wrynose Pass. It was all good, but maybe the slog back up to Wrynose Pass at the end tarnished it a bit. Probably for most, an out and back (or Balloon) would be best and certainly easiest. But I still enjoyed a lovely day out with some stunning scenery throughout.

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Distance: 7.3 miles

Duration: 4:30 hours

Ascent: 2769 ft

Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

Accompanied By: On my Own

Weather: Mild but often cloudy

Wainwrights Visited

Cold Pike Pike O'Blisco

3D outline of route

Parking

A quiet Monday morning and parked up near the Three Shire Stone on Wrynose Pass. Always a bit cautious when reversing into this area, as you don't want to go too far back !

A short stroll up to the Three Shire Stone, more parking is usually available higher up at the top of the pass.

Into the unknown for me for once, as I find the path to Red Tarn - which I was pleasantly surprised to find was a very good quality one too.

Harter Fell way in the distance

As this walk starts at a very high elevation, it wasn't long before the summit of Cold Pike appeared on my left.

A small cairn marked the spot where I left the main path and headed over towards Cold Pike.

Cold Pike summit was mostly shrouded in cloud, every so often a break in the cloud revealed some lovely views into Great Langdale.

Looking down towards Browney Gill and into Oxendale with Great Knott always dominating on the left.

As I head down towards the cross-roads near Red Tarn, Pike O'Blisco can be seen straight ahead.

After a steady climb, the summit of Pike O'Blisco was reached only an hour and a half into my walk. For Wainwright baggers, the best option would be to retrace your steps back to the tarn and then turn left and head straight back down to Three Shire Stone. I reckon the two could be visited in less than 2.5hrs easily.

But for me, I had other plans - so I started to walk down into Great Langdale - a place which is very special to me.

Heading in the direction of Wrynose Fell with Lingmoor Fell in the distance.

The long and well constructed path down the fell side with the majestic Langdale Pikes in full view ahead.

An easy crossing of Redacre Gill with Side Pike in the background.

One of the best views in lakeland - A shame the conditions didn't help the photography - a bit hazy and gloomy I'm afraid.

A turn to the left in the hope that Bowfell and the Crinkles were visible, but no - both shrouded in cloud.

A special spot for me - I've been here many times before, as we often parked hear, admired the view and took photo's whilst enjoying a brew back in the 1970's with my parents. Nothing has changed at all.

Looking back down the road towards Pike O'Blisco, where I was an hour ago.

Having left the country lane, I picked up the Wrynose path and enjoyed a stroll past the very picturesque Blea Tarn (famous now for it's Countryfile appearances).