{"id":5751,"date":"2025-05-08T13:52:27","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T13:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/?p=5751"},"modified":"2025-05-08T13:52:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T13:52:27","slug":"walking-the-wainwrights-troutbeck-tongue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/?p=5751","title":{"rendered":"Walking the Wainwrights: Troutbeck Tongue"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Over the years, we\u2019ve walked many of the Wainwrights \u2014 the 214 fells in the Lake District, immortalised by Alfred Wainwright\u2019s meticulously hand-drawn guides. Some are towering peaks such as Scafell Pike (England\u2018s highest mountain) and Helvellyn, while others, like Troutbeck Tongue, are more unassuming, their magic found in their solitude, their setting, and their subtle beauty.<\/p>\n

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We\u2019ve made it our mission to walk them all, starting afresh as we can\u2019t be 100% sure on which we have and haven\u2019t done. If you\u2019re ever thinking of doing the same, Troutbeck Tongue is an easy one to get started. Modest in height yet rewarding in views (weather permitting), this Wainwright stands at the heart of the Troutbeck valley, and offers a peaceful hike with panoramic vistas \u2013 so peaceful for us, in fact, that we only encounter two other people the whole time we were out. Below is a detailed guide to help you plan and enjoy this walk.<\/p>\n

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Key information<\/h2>\n
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  • Start and parking:<\/strong> Troutbeck village is the ideal starting point for Troutbeck Tongue. There are numerous laybys in the vicinity of The Queens Head and The Mortal Man.<\/li>\n
  • Distance:<\/strong> Approximately 6 miles (10 km) when walked as a figure of 8<\/li>\n
  • Map:<\/strong> OS Explorer OL7 is recommended<\/li>\n
  • Navigation<\/strong>:<\/strong> Various downloadable route maps are available online but please don\u2019t rely solely on gadgets to navigate!<\/li>\n
  • Time:<\/strong> 2.5\u20133.5 hours<\/li>\n
  • Difficulty:<\/strong> Moderate (steep sections, uneven ground, potentially boggy during times of wet weather)<\/li>\n
  • Terrain:<\/strong> Farm tracks, grassy slopes, stone paths<\/li>\n
  • Facilities:<\/strong> Pubs and accommodation in Troutbeck; no amenities on the route<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The route<\/h2>\n

    Begin in Troutbeck village, a picturesque collection of stone cottages and barns. If parking near the Queens Head, follow Ing Lane northeast. The path gently ascends through farmland, with dry-stone walls lining the route and Herdwick sheep in some of the fields.<\/p>\n

    Follow the track along the valley floor, passing Trout Beck stream, which will be a companion for much of the journey. You will see the grassy pyramid of Troutbeck Tongue ahead.<\/p>\n

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    For the main ascent, you can choose your path. There\u2019s the western flank \u2013 a steep but direct, grassy climb. Alternatively, you can do as we did, and take the eastern path \u2013 a longer, more gradual ascent through bracken and heather, occasionally muddy depending on recent weather.<\/p>\n

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    Both routes lead to the summit, a small but rewarding crest with stunning views. Look south for glimpses of Windermere, north towards Kentmere, and east to the High Street range. The summit offers a quiet, contemplative spot, often free from crowds.<\/p>\n

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    From the summit, you can choose between the two options that you had for the ascent. We took the direct route down to make this part of the walk a circular route, before dropping down towards Hagg Gill. <\/p>\n

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    From here, you can cross the beck and follow the valley track which takes you back to Troutbeck.<\/p>\n

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    Some additional tips<\/h2>\n

    Waterproof boots are advisable, as parts of the route can be boggy, as is appropriate clothing for the weather conditions. <\/p>\n

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    Check out the excellent range of outdoor gear available from Helly Hansen. <\/p>\n

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    Check weather forecasts in advance and be prepared for eventualities as conditions can change at short notice. Be aware that mist can obscure the summit views. Dogs are allowed on the route but you need to be mindful on livestock and put your dog on a lead when appropriate. <\/p>\n

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    The Mortal Man Inn and The Queen\u2019s Head are good bases for food and drinks pre- or post-walk.<\/p>\n

    Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Helly Hansen.<\/em><\/p>\n

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    Paul Johnson<\/h3>\n

    Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel \u2018Best Travel Influencer\u2019 Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted \u201cone of the world\u2019s best travel blogs\u201d and \u201cbest for luxury\u201d by The Telegraph.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Source: https:\/\/www.aluxurytravelblog.com\/2025\/05\/08\/walking-the-wainwrights-troutbeck-tongue\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Over the years, we\u2019ve walked many of the Wainwrights \u2014 the 214 fells in the Lake District, immortalised by Alfred Wainwright\u2019s meticulously hand-drawn guides. Some are towering peaks such as Scafell Pike (England\u2018s highest mountain) and Helvellyn, while others, like Troutbeck Tongue, are more unassuming, their magic found in their solitude, their setting, and their […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5752,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5751"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5751\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}