Little Tongue, Grisedale - Coast to Coast
More Articles in the Grasmere to Patterdale subsection
Approaching Little Tongue on the Coast to Coast path towards Grisedale Tarn
Little Tongue, Seat Sandal - Coast to Coast Path
Little Tongue is a long, narrow tongue of land descending from the southern slopes of Seat Sandal almost to the ford below Great Tongue. It lies immediately west of Great Tongue, divided from it by the Little Tongue Gill — a small beck flowing down toward Mill Bridge on the outskirts of Grasmere.
Both Tongues originate below Hause Riggs, a steep outcrop of andesite lava beneath Gavel Crag. The Coast to Coast path climbs Little Tongue en route to Grisedale Tarn and beyond to Patterdale. It is the simplest way to ascend Seat Sandal, the 736 m Wainwright, with a connecting path at Hause Gap (574 m) leading to the summit.
Little Tongue Ridge
Little Tongue forms a broad conical ridge between Little Tongue Gill to the east and a smaller beck to the west. The Coast to Coast path ascends along its grassy crest, flanked by dense fern and bracken, before curving east across Hause Riggs toward Grisedale Tarn on Seat Sandal’s southern flank.
Tongue Gill - Alternative Routes
From Mill Bridge, the Coast to Coast path climbs an ancient packhorse trail that continues unbroken to Patterdale. The route divides at the water intake, where Little Tongue Gill and Great Tongue Gill separate. The main trail follows the ridge on the left, rising along the crest of Little Tongue before turning east across Hause Riggs towards Grisedale Tarn. The alternative path follows the valley floor beside Great Tongue and beneath the slopes of Great Rigg.
The two paths merge just beyond Hause Riggs, continuing north past Hause Moss and Hause Gap to Grisedale Tarn. Of the two, the Little Tongue route is the original Wainwright line — a steady and scenic climb with Seat Sandal and Gavel forming the skyline throughout.
Little Tongue Gill joins Tongue Gill beside a ford at the foot of the ridge, marking the point where walkers choose which route to take. Both paths converge above Great Tongue, making it easy to experience each on separate occasions.
Hause Riggs Outcrop
Approaching the head of Little Tongue, the steep and rocky form of Hause Riggs emerges — a rugged spur descending from the slopes below Gavel Crag. From here, Little Tongue Gill can be traced winding down between the twin ridges of Little Tongue to the west and Great Tongue to the east, converging near Mill Bridge.
Little Tongue and Mill Bridge
From the upper slopes of Little Tongue, the view opens northward over Tongue Gill as it descends between the ridges of Great Tongue and Little Tongue to meet the Rothay meadows near Mill Bridge. Beyond lie the Vale of Grasmere, Helm Crag, and,, just out of sight, the glinting waters of Grasmere Lake.
Great Tongue from Hause Riggs
From the path across Hause Riggs, the broad ridge of Great Tongue lies directly below — a long, grassy spur dividing the valleys of Tongue Gill and Little Tongue Gill. In contrast to the narrower ridge of Little Tongue, Great Tongue is wider, steeper, and less suited to ascent, though it offers fine views back toward Mill Bridge and Grasmere.
Hiking the Coast to Coast trail guide
Hiking the Coast to Coast is a digitally enhanced eBook designed to accompany you on your journey along the Coast to Coast path. Available on Apple Books for iPhone, iPad and Mac, the guide includes:
• Mapping with interactive features
• Step-by-step route directions
• Hundreds of colour photographs
• Route conditions in different weather
• Historical and cultural points of interest
Whether you’re planning your trip or already on the trail, it’s a practical and beautifully illustrated resource to carry with you.
