Far Easedale, Codale Head and Sergeant Man
Walk date – 25th May 2026
Distance – 9.6 miles
Weather – very sunny and very hot, light breeze at height, hazy
We took a walk along Far Easedale today but hadn’t firmly decided where we might go once we reached the crossroads path at the top of the climb. From there its possible to turn right, cross Brownrigg Moss and either walk the ridge from Calf Crag over to Helm Crag, a further variation for walkers taking this route is the chance to return to Helmside using the path just south of Pike of Carrs to drop down into the Greenburn valley, or go across to Steel Fell and follow the path down its steep nose back to Helmside. Another option is to follow the path facing you which takes you across to Greenup Edge and another crossroads where walkers are able to select the direction required. We opted for none of the above mentioned and turned left along the path heading up to Codale Head. We started out with very clear views but as we climbed we could see the long distance views were becoming hazy and indistinct so the photos from today’s walk are not as clear as they might be.
Route
Grasmere (Lancrigg) – Far Easedale – Codale Head – Sergeant Man – Blea Rigg path – Easedale Tarn – Sourmilk Gill – Grasmere (Lancrigg)
Walking up the Far Easedale road we noticed that our view of Helm Crag was very distinct in the clear morning air …..
….. and so were the waterfalls in Sourmilk Gill.
Once past the old barns beside it the path begins to climb steadily over a rocky/bouldery path before flattening out again where it comes closer to the beck. I resisted the temptation of including shots of waterfalls although I did take a few.
After climbing steadily we reach the flatter path leading up to Stythwaite Steps and the bridge crossing Far Easedale gill. Stythwaite Steps refers to the stepping stones, to the left of the bridge, which were used when the water level allowed it and I remember once reading that there hasn’t always been a bridge sited across the gill. A couple of identical notices had been wedged into the uprights of this end of the bridge informing walkers of something or other but the print was very small and difficult to read so we crossed over no wiser after having stopped and looked at them. As can be seen from the photo the path continues along to a junction where we turned right for the path along Far Easedale. As we turned off we noticed that the path, which continues on up to Tarn Crag, had been ‘stepped’ which we had read about quite recently so perhaps the notices may have been about that.
We’re some distance along the valley at this point where directly ahead of us was Pike of Carrs …..
….. opposite was the Far Easedale side of Gibson Knott …..
….. and to our right was Helm Crag, which is a very popular walk for visitors to Grasmere, and the gill meandering down the valley. It’ll require a zoom in to see it but the bridge at Stythwaite Steps is still visible.
Much further up Far Easedale now and we’ve reached the flattish area we call ‘the basin’ because it serves the purpose of gathering together all the rainwater flowing down from the various becks on both sides of Far Easedale. As a result this area is always wet but it seems as though an attempt at making life easier for walkers has been carried out. The area has had stepping stones installed across the more ‘mushy/wet’ sections, of which there are many, and parts of the path have been raised above the wet ground. Perhaps the notices we saw at the bridge included information about this too.
Beyond the ‘basin’ the path, the course of which seems to have been changed somewhat, rises steeply so during a ‘get your breath back’ pause I took this photo looking back over Moor Moss. Not much moss was visible but the slopes were full of freshly sprouted bracken, darned stuff! Along the way we met a few separate groups of walkers and we exchanged ‘Mornings’ with each group, and heard a variety of northern accents in reply. Some were carrying camping gear, which must have felt like a ton by now, and they still had a three mile walk back along the valley.
We reached the top of the path and during a short break discussed what path to take eventually deciding on the one shown in the shot above. Its the path which would eventually lead us up to Codale Head although it wasn’t always as visible as it is in the shot. I think the crags on the right skyline is the craggy area called Birks.
I took a few shots as we took to the path. The bulbous rocky area over on the left is part of Calf Crag and the path going over to it is clearly visible. On the skyline behind it are Fairfield and Great Rigg.
When we were back at the junction of paths at the top of the climb out from Far Easedale a walker came up from the Greenup Edge path and started to turn along the path going around the hillside on the left. He then came back to the junction to wait for his companions and while he was waiting he asked us if that was the path to Grasmere. We replied that it would lead back to Grasmere but that the quickest way down would be to take the Far Easedale valley path which we had just walked up. Judging by the weary look on the faces of his companions, and who still hadn’t caught up with him, we didn’t think that walking the ridge over to Helm Crag and then steeply descending that would have been appreciated by them, so that’s the route we hoped they followed.
Calf Crag is still in view but on the skyline behind it the Helvellyn range has appeared. It’ll be busy up there today because there were only a few spaces left in the lay-by below Swirls when we passed it on the drive to Grasmere.
A close up shot of Saint Sunday Crag which appeared on the centre skyline between Dollywaggon Pike (L) and Fairfield (R). Calf Crag was still in view over on the right.
Following the path up to Codale Head and where Ash Crags (R) seems to have taken the place of Birks now that we are much further up. The path disappeared every so often when large squelchy patches appeared or when the rocks got in the way. We got across the soggy patches as best we could although some detours had to be made, and when the path abruptly disappeared we looked out for general signs of wear and tear whenever we came to a rocky section. One such occasion is the photo below …..
….. where J went first in case there were iffy bits where my little short legs might need a helping hand! Over to the right of us was a deep and craggy ravine through which Mere Beck was flowing, close by an area called Deep Slack.
Out of the rocky ravine area now and a pause to look back at the two tarns we’ve just passed after emerging from the ravine. The rocks of Ash Crags and the ravine below it are to the left of the tarns. There are a lot of tarns up here and we’ve already passed a few of them which didn’t look as attractive as these so I didn’t bother with them. On the skyline is Ullscarf which, even with the addition of two tarns, doesn’t improve its appearance.
The Skiddaw group appearing above Greenup Edge and lacking any distinctive features in the general haze.
We were almost at the top of Codale Head when another tarn turned up and then …..
….. another one. There’s a good few of them up here on Codale Head and we’ve begun walking the dips between the various outcrops. We have already had a break for something to eat and drink a short distance back so we were able to wander around and do a spot of sightseeing, so to speak.
From Codale Head we had a good view of Sergeant Man, the tarns below it, and the walkers on its summit. Crinkle Crags behind it on the left skyline and Bowfell behind it on the right. High Raise was over to the right of it but its not in the shot as it looked like nothing more than a hazy bump on the skyline. There are some good views from High Raise but it can be a squelchy walk across to it. J asked me if we should just scrub round it and go over to Sergeant Man instead and so, given the general haze obscuring long distance views and the squelchy walk over, I agreed with him.
We began descending Codale Head towards two more tarns and made our way over to Sergeant Man.
Heading towards Sergeant Man, and keeping to slightly higher ground, passing one of the tarns along the way.
Up on Sergeant Man now with a hazy view of Windermere. It was very hazy beyond Windermere and nothing could be seen but a blue-grey smudge.
Stickle Tarn immediately below while Lingmoor Fell and Side Pike take up most of middle foreground.
The view across Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle towards the Coniston Fells. On the skyline Wetherlam and Black Sails are to the left of the dip. I think the fells to the right of the dip are Coniston Old Man, Swirl How and Great Carrs. Grey Friar could be the one just peeping up behind Harrison Stickle.
Looking across the flatter area of Pavey Ark on the skyline are Cold Pike and Crinkle Crags. On the extreme left are the peaks of some of the Coniston Fells.
The distinctive shape of Bowfell is next in line …..
….. followed by Esk Pike, Scafell Pike and Great End.
Next we have Great End and the distinctive bump of Great Gable.
Now looking across the two tarns towards the Skiddaw group (L) and Blencathra (R).
The view northwards towards Clough Head and The Dodds.
The Helvellyn range from Sergeant Man.
Saint Sunday Crag between Dollywaggon Pike (L) and Fairfield (R). Having taken the above shots we began to descend Sergeant Man until we were just below it and sat there for a few minutes just soaking up the sunshine and doing nothing but gaze at the scenery. Eventually the sitting and gazing at the scenery came to end and we went back up to the path and began the return leg.
During our descent we passed Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark and somewhere along the path we met a chap coming up it. In passing he commented ‘Far from the madding crowd’ which we took to imply that the Langdale Pikes, or even Great Langdale in general, were busy, full of folk and not to his liking.
We returned via the Blea Rigg route which gave us a good view of Codale Tarn (L) and Easedale Tarn (R) as we passed above them.
The summit cairn on Blea Rigg was visible as we passed by although we didn’t go up.
Easedale Tarn which we are about to make our way down to …..
….. and when we were down at the tarn I took this view of Tarn Crag on the other side. There were some family groups around the tarn just soaking up the sunshine, having a dip, or picnicking, but it wasn’t busy with walkers.
Neither was the path beside the waterfall in Sourmilk Gill although there were plenty of people getting themselves wet by one means or another or simply sunbathing. There was quite a crowd here so it was difficult to avoid taking shots of people. I zoomed in as close as possible but still managed to catch someone’s head, bottom right corner, and someone’s legs, upper left corner, despite that.
The final picture of today’s walk taken from the path just below the waterfall as we began to descend back down to Easedale. It was now mid-afternoon and the valley became hotter and hotter as we descended into it, so much so that I was just looking forward to getting back in the car, having a drink of cold water, which we had left in the car just for this reason, and some shade above my head, that I forgot all about taking photographs. Just as well then that we didn’t meet anyone walking up the path and that nothing unusual happened along the way