Crinkle Crags

From the car park return to the road and turn right. In 50m (55 yards) as the road turns 90° left, go straight ahead through the gate on to the tarmac driveway to Stool End Farm. Follow the road along the edge of the fields, and eventually into the farm yard. Wiggle through the yard, firstly right, then left once in the central yard, following the "footpath" signs to the gate. Go through onto the rough track.

Continue along the track, bear left at the bottom of The Band to drop down to a gate. Go through, and follow the rough track across the field to the sheep pens. Here go through the pedestrian gate on the left hand side of the pens - as directed by more signs. Again continue on the track beyond to the footbridge over Oxendale Beck just a little further on.

Cross the footbridge, bear right, and in 50m (55 yards) or so bear left on the initially rough path climbing the fellside. Much of the path is stone pitched and easily followed. Views are a good enough reason to halt for a breather on this steep section.

Climbing alongside Browney Gill the gradient eases a little, and the rock is stained red. Reaching the junction of paths at the top of the pass, turn right.

Cross the outfall from Red Tarn, and continue climbing on the path heading westwards for Great Knott and the mossy boglands between it and the first crinkle. Dont panic: the path is rough stone and gravel the whole way.

Approaching the first crinkle the immediate hurdle is a short gully climb at the top of which turn right and continue climbing. You are now on the ridge and care required at all times.

Continue over the first crinkle and drop to the col with the second. As you do note the Bad Step and spot the bypass on the terrace to the left.

At the cairn at the bottom, bear left and follow the path round. Climb up zigzags to the cairn, and bear right, then right again to the summit cairn - the Wainwright of Crinkle Crags. There is another cairn above the crags of the Bad Step if you wish to visit that too.

From the summit cairn turn round and bear right to head slightly east of north, follow the path down on to the rest of the ridge.

Largely speaking it is now the simple matter of following the path as best as you can over, or to the left of, each of the remaining crinkles. They can all be crossed without much difficulty and eventually you will arrive at the wide col of Three Tarns. In dry conditions this can be more aptly called 'two puddles and a muddy patch'.

The steep and loose zigzag path climbing ahead to Bowfell is an obvious reminder you have reached the end of the crinkles ridge.

At Three Tarns, bear right to locate and drop down the stone pitched path along and down The Band. This is easily followed along the ridge, and then down steeply in places to Stool End Farm again.

Drop into the farmyard and bear right, then left to the tarmac driveway. Follow this all the way back to the Langdale road, and the car park.