Elterwater

Chapel Stile

Skelwith Bridge

BLEA TARN

ELTER WATER

GREAT LANGDALE

MICKLEDENLangdale Pikes

Enjoy the views

You will meet a wooden footbridge which crosses the river and takes you up the road, past the Wainwright Inn for a short distance. You can follow this road further to enter the village of Chapel Stile for a break or catch the bus back from outside the School if you prefer. Alternatively pick up the Cumbria Way again, almost straight away, and follow this back down to the river.

Cross the river and the route will lead you by the Great Langdale Campsite and onwards to Oak Howe. Here the route splits, but keep on the Cumbria Way, following the river and skirting around the base of Oak Howe Needle.

The route strays from the river, but returns to cross for one fi nal time, before you meet the road near the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. From here you can catch the Langdale Rambler back or reverse your route (if you have time). Be sure to visit one of the traditional Cumbrian Inns in the valley bottom before heading home.

This map is for guidance only. Always re-plot your route on an OS map before setting off.

Skelwith Force

Skelwith Bridge to Elterwater

Leave the traffi c and crowds behind to discover the glaciated valley of Langdale. Follow the riverside path of the Cumbria Way to tranquil tarns and rushing waterfalls.

Start/Finish: Bus stop in front of Skelwith Bridge Hotel - grid ref: NY344034

Distance: 3.2 miles (5km) return

Facilities: Pubs, cafés and hotels in Skelwith Bridge. Pub and public toilets in Elterwater

Getting there: Regular 516 bus service from Windermere linking with Windermere railway station

Maps: OS Explorer OL7

Walk down the side of the road from the bus stop (be careful on the roads) and head towards Chesters by the River. Head towards the café and you will pick up the public footpath signs for the Cumbrian Way.

Follow the footpath down by the river. Look out for the dramatic Skelwith Force on your left before you meet a beautiful wrought iron bridge; known as the Trevor Woodburn Memorial Bridge. Here the route 37 cycleway joins the path.

Continue straight ahead through the gate, into open meadow. The path continues to follow the river until it opens out into Elter Water. “Elter” is the Norse word for swan, and this reedy water is still home to swans and many other birds.

Follow the path straight on and you will shortly arrive at the village of Elterwater. From here you can either retrace your outward route, going downstream this time, or catch the Langdale Rambler back to the start. The bus stop is on the village green outside the Britannia Inn, you could even pop in for some refreshments whilst you wait.

Alternatively, for a longer route, you can continue on the Cumbria Way through to Chapel Stile or Dungeon Ghyll and catch the bus back from there.

ROUTE

1

Langdale Pikes from Dungeon Ghyll The compact group of peaks that form the Langdale Pikes are amongst the most easily recognisable in the Lake District. This walk takes in the four main peaks that form the Pikes followed by a steady descent back to the start via the ancient packhorse route of Stake Pass and Mickleden.

Start/Finish: Bus stop near New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Langdale - grid ref: NY456040

Distance: 7.8 miles (12.5km)

Facilities: Pub, hotel and public toilets in Dungeon Ghyll

Getting there: 516 bus service from Windermere linking with Windermere railway station

Maps: OS Explorer OL6

From the bus stop follow the path to the left of the toilet block up the side of Stickle Ghyll to cross the footbridge. Continue along the path up the right-hand side of the beck (east) as it climbs to Stickle Tarn.

Skirt around the east side of the tarn and follow the path beside Bright Beck to the eastern extremity of Pavey Ark. Once around the side of Pavey Ark a grassy rake comes into view. This is North Rake; offering a simple path to the summit of Pavey Ark.

From the rocky summit descend southwest then south to the col below Harrison Stickle. Cross the col and make the short ascent up to Harrison Stickle. The summit is made up of a number of cairns so visit each one to get the best views.

To gain Thorn Crag descend the path west then south to cross the upper reaches of Dungeon Ghyll at a grass comb. Make the short ascent south on the other side to reach Thorn Crag’s summit cairn.

Loft Crag is reached by a simple 300m walk west northwest.

Continue west northwest from Loft Crag to the head of a steep walled gully. Pass the head of the gully and follow the path as it skirts right to gain the rocky summit of Pike of Stickle.

Descend north west and follow the path over Martcrag Moor to the broad col at the head of Stake Pass.

Turn left and follow the bridleway south west down into Mickleden. Join the valley track and follow it south east to Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, passing below Pike of Stickle, Loft Crag and Thorn Crag.

At Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel a bridleway climbs slightly east behind the hotel to the bus stop. Alternatively take the valley road.

ROUTE

3

Elterwater to Dungeon Ghyll

Head into the heart of Great Langdale and experience the majesty of this secluded valley.

Start/Finish: Bus stop in Elterwater village centre - grid ref: NY327047

Distance: 3.2 miles (5km) return

Facilities: Pubs and public toilets in Elterwater and Dungeon Ghyll

Getting there: Regular 516 bus service from Windermere linking with Windermere railway station

Maps: OS Explorer map 6 and OS Explorer map 7

From the Bus stop in the centre of the village walk down the hill and cross the bridge, following signs for Coniston. Just across the bridge, join the obvious path which heads up-river.

Follow the trail, keeping the river on your right for a short while. The path leads through some quarries and you will be able to see the luxurious Langdale Hotel & Spa on the other side.

ROUTE

2

Map key

Parking

Bus Stop

Public House

Café

Explore by bus

Walking in Langdale

This map is for guidance only. Always re-plot your route on an OS map before setting off.

This map is for guidance only. Always re-plot your route on an OS map before setting off.

golakestravel.co.uk www.facebook.com/GoLakesTravel @GoLakesTravel

stagecoachbus.com www.facebook.com/StagecoachBus @stagecoachCNL

Near Skelwith Bridge

AMBLESIDEStop here for: information, cinema, museum, walks, cafés, pubs, bike hire, shops, restaurants

SKELWITH BRIDGEStop here for: café, shop, pub,

waterfall, walks, start of walk 1

Skelwith BridgeThe hamlet of Skelwith Bridge is a fantastic start point for many walks. There is an easy route from here to Elterwater and you can even catch the bus back if you don’t fancy the return leg. Skelwith Force, near Skelwith Bridge, is a well-known local beauty spot. The waterfall drops a mere 15 ft (4.5m), but does so with impressive power as it surges through a narrow gap in the rock. Whilst here be sure to stop in at the pub, café and shop for some tasty treats.

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Directions: Alight at the bus stop by the Skelwith Bridge Hotel. The shop, café and hotel are just behind the stop.

ElterwaterThe rural village of Elterwater has a surprising industrial past linked with quarrying and gunpowder manufacture. ‘Elter' is Old Norse for ‘swan', and the nearby Elter Water still attracts migrating Whooper and Mute swans during the winter months. The reedy shores are a haven for waterfowl including goosander, teal and little grebe. Why not have some great local food and ale in the village's traditional Cumbrian Inn?

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Directions: Alight at the bus stop in the centre of the village.

Ambleside Stop off in this vibrant, busy town, surrounded by magnifi cent Lakeland fells. Ambleside is a shopping heaven, with a huge range of outdoor equipment stores and an abundance of independent retailers showcasing local food, arts and crafts.

Ambleside is fantastic fun for all the family, with picnic spots and playgrounds, mini golf and an indoor climbing wall. Its location makes it a great base for walkers.

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Directions: Alight at Kelsick Road bus stop and follow the road up the hill. You will reach the main road through Ambleside centre.

Chapel StileChapel Stile sits by the side of the River Brathay and at the foot of Great Langdale.

Its distinctive green slate houses were built to house the workers from the nearby quarries. The pretty church, built in 1857, sits on the hillside overlooking the village and has some interesting stained glass windows. There are some great places to eat and drink, and why not book into the luxurious Langdale Hotel and Spa for some pampering?

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Directions: Alight at the stop by the school.

Dungeon GhyllDungeon Ghyll nestles at the heart of the Langdale Valley, not far from Dungeon Ghyll Force, which cascades an impressive 40 foot down a steep ravine. It is a great place to start a classic ascent and many people start the climb of England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike, from here. There is an abundance of traditional Cumbrian pubs in the area, so there is guaranteed to be great food, real ale and an inviting log fi re waiting for you on your return from the hills.

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Directions: Alight by the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.

Walking in Langdale

Enjoy a bike ride

Blea Tarn, looking towards the Langdale Pikes

Chesters by the River, Skelwith Bridge

Near Skelwith Bridge

The Langdale Pikes

Family walking near Ambleside

Langdale Rambler #516 ELTERWATER

Stop here for: pub, public toilets,

walks, start of walk 2

CHAPEL STILEStop here for: walks, shop, café, pub

DUNGEON GHYLLStop here for: pub, public toilets,

bike hire, walks, start of walk 3

A well earned drink!

Hire a bike and explore

Britannia Inn, Elterwater

Summer's day, Langdale

Take a break