Summer walks – Elterwater, Cumbria
THIS is a well-known and loved walk that takes you through the lovely heart of the Lake District.
An enormous amount of work has been done on some of the tracks, which are part of the Cumbria Way. It is great that the disabled can enjoy parts of the way.
1] Walk through Elterwater village. Turn into pay-and-display car park by bridge over River Brathay. Continue on track with beck, right. Soon track moves into woodland, then close to Elterwater Tarn where a seat reveals fabulous views of the Langdale Pikes. Carry on beside surging river, then into wooded area where the path divides – go ahead to visit the magnificent Skelwith Force or right to cross Chris Bammall’s amazing iron bridge that strides the river. Beyond, climb through trees to cross of tracks. Go ahead towards Colwith Bridge.
2] Follow track to gate and out into open pasture, with more fine views. Ignore track on left and dawdle on past two cottages. Squeeze through narrow gate. Descend a little before ascending to Park Farm. Pass between buildings and notice apprentice slab, covered with well-crafted letters. Ignore left turn. Go ahead to take stile over wall. Beyond, carry on through passage between hedge and fence to cross access track to take gate opposite. Walk on to stile into woodland to begin descent of un-railed stepped way to riverside. Follow path across pasture to stepped and gated stile straight onto narrow road.
3] Turn right for a few steps. Climb railed steps to gate into woodland clearing. A signpost directs right to Colwith Force or uphill to High Park. Both paths come together, high up beside wall, where track leads on to buildings and lane at High Park. Bear right, descend to valley, passing Stang End, where road drops left. At valley, bear right to side of ford and bridge across the Brathay – but do not cross. Walk left, with river right, for 200yds to locked gate set back left. Here, climb stile then short track to entrance, right, into magnificent Cathedral Cave – not to be missed.
4] Return to track. Walk on to take, almost immediately, gate, right, to path across meadow to step stile onto famous Slater Bridge. Nineteenth century quarrymen built and used it to get to work. Cross the lovely structure, ascend reinforced path, left of wall. Look left to see tarn, in its beautiful setting. At top of slope, go through gate and along access track to join road. Take narrow lane almost opposite. Climb gently past Dale End Farm and on to gate into woodland. Descend roughly reinforced track, down to Elterwater village.
INFORMATION
Distance: 6 miles/9.5km Time: 3-4 hours Height gain: 600ft/190m Terrain: Good paths, tracks, and narrow lanes, except for rough track towards end of walk. Public transport: Traveline 0300 123 4050 Park: Free parking area, grid ref 329051. Pay and display in centre of village. Or if all are full, park in reinforced spaces on roadside, north of the village public toilets: Centre of village, opposite pub refreshments and facilities: Elterwater village well supplied Map: OS Explorer OL7 English Lakes, south-eastern area/Landranger 90
By Mary Welsh. The full version of this article was originally published in Big Issue North, available from vendors across the North West and Yorkshire and Humber (£2.50).
