There are many mountain views that are instantly recognisable on sight even to those visitors who never set foot on them. Possibly the best known of all may well be that of the Langdale Pikes which not only dominate the valley whose name they take, but are additionally seen on the main approach to the area from Windermere, and even at this distance their bold outline and grandeur is clear to the eye. From other angles they are not so imposing especially to the north where their summits may just appear in views from other fells overtopping the sprawling slopes of Thunacar Knott. This does not in any way lessen their appeal to walkers, and from the hills above Grasmere right round the southern half of the district to Bowfell they are a notable presence in the landscape. It can be fairly stated that the Langdale Pikes are all subsidiaries of Thunacar Knott, as a study of any map will confirm. The parent fell does not however measure up in scenic attractions to those of it's dependants, and a scattering of pleasant rocks and boulders plus a small tarn is the best it can manage. The main ridge continues north to High Raise the highest point of this group, and again it is the appeal of the supporting fells that catches the eye, even if it must be conceded that the view is superior to the others. Nearby Sergeant Man draws the attention, though it's summit barely rises above the plateau. It looks down onto the Stickle Tarn basin, and is additionally part of a popular round from Grasmere. Apart from the wide ridge going north from High Raise to Ullscarf and the heathery moors between Thirlmere and Borrowdale, others spring up from Grasmere and Stonethwaite, and provide some of the most delightful walking to be found anywhere. The most well known will be the Helm Crag ridge; full of interest and charm which leads to the head of Far Easedale, where Sergeant Man and High Raise can be accessed. Equally attractive is the popular ridge from Silver How over Blea Rigg; while the lesser known one over Tarn Crag is a splendid way to the tops. A tougher prospect but no less scenically rewarding is the ascent of Eagle Crag from Stonethwaite. I dont know of a better finish to a summit, but the lower part is hard work. Considering the fell's position and outline above the valley I am amazed that so few walkers consider it. I have to sing the praises of Easedale and Codale Tarns above Grasmere; jewels of their kind which can easily suggest a long siesta on their shores if the day is sunny and warm. Try to resist the temptation though, and get on the ridges!

ROUTE ONE. HIGH RAISE FROM WYTHBURN VIA STEEL FELL , CALF CRAG.
AND SERGEANT MAN 5 miles 2425ft of ascent.

  Take the path at Steel End to Dunmail Raise and turn steeply up the fell beyond the plantation. The ascent is quite straightforward apart from the gradient up the well defined ridge. Conditions ease as height is gained; while the view back down to Thirlmere is a good excuse for rests. The next stage to Calf Crag can be rather marshy especially in the second half of the journey from the main depression up to the top of the objective. This route now joined by Route Two from Grasmere descends west over Brownrigg Moss then south west to the head of Far Easedale. The path crossing here is the well used connection between Grasmere and Borrowdale. Go directly across this into the confines of Meres Beck which involves a little scramble prior to the easier slopes below Codale Head. Sergeant Man comes into view beyond a slight hollow, and having climbed to it’s rocky summit head north west to High Raise on the easiest of gradients. The splendid all round view is ample compensation for the less dramatic immediate surroundings.  In good weather a return to Wythburn can be made over Ullscarf to the path from Watendlath below Standing Crag where a descent is then made to Harrop Tarn and the roadside at Dobgill Bridge. The path on the north side of Dob Gill down to the car park is the best underfoot.

ROUTE TWO. HIGH RAISE FROM GRASMERE VIA HELM CRAG, GIBSON KNOTT, CALF CRAG AND SERGEANT MAN.
6 miles 2800ft of ascent.

   The lane into Easedale is a popular start for several walks; the principal higher level one being a traverse of the Helm Crag ridge. Follow the lane to it's terminus at the cluster of houses below Helm Crag. The ascent of Helm Crag is signposted where the track to Far Easedale and Borrowdale turns left at the gate. This realigned route up the fell has been a great success, but the first section is not one of the better construction jobs, and needs great care in descent. From the top of the staircase of stones the rest of the climb takes advantage of the simplest line of approach, and with a pronounced zig zag comes up to the ridge. Helm Crag has a unique summit with rock outcrops at each end; the north westerly one needing some resolve to make the top. A fair descent preceeds a gradual climb to Gibson Knott whose cairns stand above the steepest part of the Far Easedale face. The path is a joy to follow here, but the ongoing ridge to Calf Crag becomes quite peaty and wet and some dodging about may be needed. Go down west to the head of Far Easedale and keep straight ahead into the confines of Mere Beck. There is a little bit of rock scrambling, but the path is always obvious even in the marshier areas and some small tarns add interest to the climb. Sergeant Man does not come into view until Codale Head has been rounded, and the cairn there can easily be visited. A slight descent is made after which the path coming up the ridge from Blea Rigg and Stickle Tarn is joined for the last short ascent. There is no loss of height to speak of if High Raise is the next objective, and apart from a day of poor visibility when the proliferation of paths can be confusing the correct one heading north west is well defined. 
If returning to Grasmere there are several choices the best being down the ridge over Blea Rigg to Silver How. The route of ascent can be partly reversed noting that a path now links High Raise with Codale Head. Watch for a path on the right with a cairn and near a small tarn beyond Codale Head. This descends the ridge to Tarn Crag which has a fine ridge if it's own going down to Far Easedale, and this is the subject of Route Three.

ROUTE THREE. HIGH RAISE FROM GRASMERE VIA TARN CRAG AND
SERGEANT MAN.
4.5miles 2450ft of ascent.

  This walk complements Route Two at first by using the Easedale Road to the foot of Helm Crag where the track to Far Easedale and Borrowdale should be taken. Keep along this to the footbridge by the Stythwaite Steps stones, and ascend the path directly ahead when the Borrowdale one goes off to the right. At the point where the ridge from Tarn Crag can be gained just after the intake wall has been left behind, look for a path in the bracken. This ascent is somewhat variable underfoot and the path has to be followed carefully in places, but overall this is a grand climb with lovely views. The summit of Tarn Crag lies at the head of a series of zig zags; though the cairn to the left of the path overlooking Easedale Tarn must be visited. An undulating ridge with no loss of height continues above Codale Tarn before the ground builds up and the ascent to Codale Head begins. The path coming up from the head of Far Easedale is joined on more level going and a left turn soon rounds Codale Head to reveal Sergeant Man beyond a shallow basin. An easy climb leads to the cairn perched high above the waters of Bright Beck and Stickle Tarn. An easy half mile or so north west is all that remains to arrive on High Raise which may not have the summit qualities of Sergeant Man but as an all round viewpoint is vastly superior.

ROUTE FOUR. HIGH RAISE FROM ELTERWATER (Huntingstile)VIA DOW BANK, SILVER HOW,
LANG HOW, GREAT CASTLE HOW, BLEA RIGG AND SERGEANT MAN.
6.25 miles 2875ft of ascent.

   The starting point for this walk is assumed to be Elterwater though Grasmere is a possible alternative. Either way an initial climb to the ridge at Huntingstile Crag north of the summit of  the Red Bank road will be required. Certainly for the purpose of suitable return routes the valley starts are better and worth the early effort. If Elterwater or Chapel Stile is the base then a descent can be made down to Dungeon Ghyll; where the bus can be used back down the valley. As for Grasmere Routes Two or Three can be considered amongst others. Assuming that the ridge has been reached at Huntingstile Crag  the following notes take effect. There is some erosion of the path as it climbs the bank by Huntingstile Crag as this is a very popular route. The ridge has several rises and falls the most obvious being that of Dow Bank which involves a steep climb. The higher ground of Silver How is now in view ahead, and at the crossing of the Langdale to Grasmere path a little scramble is needed to gain it. Go right up the eastern edge above the Grasmere face to the summit. Looking ahead up the ridge the prominent top of Lang How stands out half a mile away. It is easily climbed from the far side as the track rounds it on the way to the next pronounced rise in altitude on Great Castle How. There is a Great and a Little Castle How, and all the tops can be visited with simple detours from the path which then crosses a marshy dip in the ridge before climbing to Blea Rigg. The actual highest point which may not have a cairn is the rocky rise behind the little shelter as the path bears right to the Easedale side. A more level section follows, and then the gradual climb to Sergeant Man begins with a change in direction from west to north west. In mist this can be confusing territory. There are some good views down to Easedale Tarn and Codale Tarn during the ascent and to the Langdale Pikes. The peak of Sergeant Man hides from view for much of the time, and is a welcome sight when finally appearing at close quarters. The last half mile to High Raise is a simple walk in clear weather, and will be welcome after previous exertions. As with all these walks there is always the option to make one of the lower summits the target for the day, and there are many places where alternative shorter routes can be decided. Although the highest summit is the goal here it need not be in practise of course.

ROUTE FIVE. HIGH RAISE FROM DUNGEON GHYLL VIA THE LANGDALE PIKES.
4.25 miles 2925ft of ascent.

      Leaving the New Hotel at Dungeon Ghyll set off as for Mickleden or the Old Hotel, but at the top of the first rise in the track turn right by the wall into the ravine of Dungeon Ghyll the stream. Cross over the stones at once and climb the path on the other side. This path has seen a lot of renewal work but still presents a tough climb so soon in the day. Eventually Thorn Crag col will be reached with Harrison Stickle ahead and Loft Crag on the left. The latter can be gained by taking the path up a short scree gully, or if the rocks are nice and dry by going straight up the facing slope. Pike O'Stickle is seen ahead and the bumpy little ridge connects with it arriving at the head of the Mickleden scree gully before the ultimate steep climb to the small summit area. After admiring Bowfell and the other Pikes return to the base and continue down to cross the infant stream onto the slopes of Harrison Stickle. The left hand variation is the easiest but the more direct ascent more interesting. The top is a superb place to look down Great Langdale while Pavey Ark the next objective is a fine sight. It is obvious that the deep basin of Stickle Tarn has to rounded and there are a few alternatives on the rim as the path winds amongst the rocks. The ascent to the Ark is slight and again the view is very good; though Stickle Tarn is not fully seen from the highest point. Return over the damp depression and ascend the path north west to the pleasant boulders on the double summit of Thunacar Knott which has a small tarn between them. The final mile is due north joining the main track near the depression which though soggy in places leads without any more drama to the top of High Raise. Descents can be made over Sergeant Man and down to Stickle Tarn; a fine and not overlong walk.

ROUTE SIX. HIGH RAISE FROM STONETHWAITE VIA EAGLE CRAG AND SERGEANTS CRAG.
3.75 miles 2450ft of ascent.

   Cross the bridge at Stonethwaite and bear right up the valley to the footbridge at the confluence of the Greenup and Langstrath valleys. Go over the footbridge and a stile on the left onto soggy ground that soon becomes overwhelmed by luxuriant bracken. Keep on a narrow but clear path well above the stream bed as far as the second wall, and turn up alongside it. A path is discernable in the bracken, and gradually becomes clearer as it starts to wind around before coming to a stile in the topmost corner. The conditions alter here completely, and after a short gully is climbed the rest of the ascent is sheer delight on little rock terraces with many a twist and turn before the summit cairn perched on the highest crag is reached. A short descent by the wall corner leads onto Sergeants Crag which has been a fine sight in the last part of the climb. A good path makes it's way to it and this too is a most attractive top. Now go down to the stile on the far side and over the wide grasslands beyond aiming to the right of Long Crag, and gaining height by using the several outcropping boulder areas to add some interest. Curve round to the right below Low White Stones to the O S column and shelter on High Raise. The easiest way back to Stonethwaite is to go down over Low White Stones to Greenup where bear left into the valley taking care not to fall off Lining Crag on the way. A longer route would be over Ullscarf there descending to Low Saddle and Dock Tarn. Longer still but quite feasible is to extend the walk to the Langdale Pikes, and then drop down to the Stake Pass for Langstrath.