A walk through Great Langdale with an unusual start

Charming Elterwater village lies at the entrance to Great Langdale valley. The cottages were built to house the many men, and their families, who worked the slate quarries around the village. Today, some of these cottages, with pretty gardens and roses round the doors, house visitors on holiday. Through the village flows the lively Great Langdale Beck and on its north side, once stood a gunpowder works, opened by the quarry owners in 1824. Today it is a time-share complex bringing more visitors to the village.


1. From the car park go left over Elterwater bridge and walk right, beside glorious Great Langdale Beck. Look out for the signed path, right, which takes you down to the side of the tumbling water, passing vast heaps of slate waste on your left. Continue on to cross the footbridge over the beck. Walk left past Wainwrights Inn, named after earlier builders of wooden wagons that carried the slate. A short distance along go left again on a signed track behind a walled garden. At the tarmacked road, bear right to Langdale road, which you cross and turn left. Almost immediately walk, right, up a minor road to where it bends towards the church. Here go left to a gate and a signposted footpath.


2. Stroll the path, which is completely overshadowed by a huge retaining wall, holding back vast mounds of slate waste. The path soon leads through the bottom of an enormous disused quarry, the way signed with white arrows painted on boulders. It passes great caverns, cut into massive rock faces, and continues along a lengthy ‘bank’ of slate. The way heads on, twisting and winding round crags on paths established by quarrymen. The way then ascends a winding slate ‘staircase’, which takes you up and up on to green sward, high above the quarry, where you will be amazed at the change of scene. Go ahead along a wide green sward, behind a row of cottages. Before the delightful path begins to descend to the road, climb right, beyond a stream and a large outcrop, until you reach a small waterfall.
3. Here enjoy a splendid view of the Pikes and then walk left on a narrow path through bracken, using a pecked (black dots and dashes) path seen on the OS map. Carry on over a hillock, then below a huge natural tumble of slate to reach a wall climbing the slopes. Follow the path, tucked up beside the wall, on your left, which continues traversing the fell until it turns down left. From here there is a perfect view of the Langdale Valley. In a few steps descend, half-right, to gate at the right end of a fence. Go through and follow the steepish path, parallel with the wall on your right, to reach the valley road, just before Harry Place.


4. Stride right to take the second left turn, a wide reinforced track through the lovely valley, until it decants you into a car park opposite the entrance to New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. If after your challenging walk through the quarry and over the slopes, you need a break, walk up the track to the hotel for a stop at the Walkers Café on the right. Then return to the road, walk right and very soon, left, to stroll a wide track, the Cumbria Way, that leads across the valley floor, over Great Langdale Beck and continues to a gate on the left of Side House. Beyond, turn left, walk the track to go through a gap in the wall and then a kissing gate, before starting your steady ascent of the pitched path that leads you up, and away from the beck, to a gap in the wall.
5. Step across the stream, which hurries down the steep slopes of Lingmoor, that rears up to your right. Carry on along the path, rough in places, with the wall to your left. Stroll on until you reach a signpost. Bear left to pass in front of pretty Oak Howe cottage and continue towards the river. Do not cross the footbridge but walk right along a good track, with the beck hurrying on its way, to your left. Cross the next bridge, New Bridge, constructed in 1818, and follow the track beyond. Just before the track reaches the road at Chapel Stile, follow a pleasing walled way, to pass between dwellings and go on to the tarmacked road, where you turned right almost at the outset of your walk.


6. Carry on ahead along the unmade way to wind round with the track to join the road. Walk right to pass Wainwrights and then cross the footbridge, the gate often hidden by parked cars in the lower car park of the inn. Then retrace your outward steps to Elterwater.

Practicals

• Start/Finish: National Trust car park in the centre of the village, where members can park for free, grid ref 329047. Don’t forget your membership card. If this is full, park on the common above the village, grid ref 329051, where the hard standing is free (at present) and then descend to the centre of the village (add on 1/2 mile to your walk).
• Distance: 6miles/9.5km
• Time: 3-4 hours
• Height gain: 460ft/140m
• Terrain: Exciting trail through quarry; some good tracks and paths; wonderful views (5381 and 5376). Suitable for most walkers.
• Refreshments: Walkers Café, New Dungeon Ghyll. Wainwrights Inn, Chapel Stile
• Maps: OS Explorers OL 6 and 7 Landranger 90

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For more photos, see "A walk through Great Langdage with an unusual start" on Flickr.

If you enjoyed this blog post, find more walks by Mary Welsh either by clicking through to take a look at A list of walks in the Lake District or use the search bar in the top left hand of your screen.

Please read Mary Welsh's Golden Rules for good, safe walking before setting out.

A walk from Mungrisedale village

This pleasing walk starts from Mungrisdale village, rather than the delightful Cumbrian valley. It is the main village of the valley, which includes the smaller hamlets of Mosedale and Bowscale and several scattered fell farms.

1. After parking, look for the spectacular 18th century limekiln behind the recreational centre and then walk on to pass, on the left, the lane that continues to Scales. A few steps along, turn left into a track, where you are also invited to park (honesty box). Carry on along the track, once reinforced to carry traffic to the lead mines, with the River Glenderamackin to your left and directly ahead the spectacular nose of The Tongue. Ignore a path that carries on along the side of the river as it winds away below Souther Fell, and follow the wide track that climbs quite steeply at first and then curves round the left side of The Tongue. Across to the left, and towering over Bannerdale Beck as it meanders through it dale, looms Bannerdale Crags.
2. Where the path divides at a pile of stones, take the narrower path on the right. The left hand grassy track leads to the old lead mine on the steep slopes of the Crags. The path you need heads straight up the fell, climbing gently all the way. Look out as you go for the first appearance of Blencathra ‘peeping’ over the top of the Crags. After a long delightful grassy climb the path becomes a little eroded and just beyond stands a small cairn. From here the path to the Crags winds left. This walk carries on ahead on an indistinct path, which soon levels and becomes clear as it nears a cross of grassy tracks and paths, marked with a tiny cairn. Turn right and stroll the grassy highway to what seems to be the summit cairn of Bowscale but is in fact a rough semi-circular shelter of rocks. This is the highest point on Bowscale (2300ft/702m) and is very useful for an out-of-the-wind place for your first stop. From here you can see Lonscale Fell, Great Calva and Knott. Then walk on along the flat stony top, where least willow and mountain everlasting struggles to survive, to the cairn, from where the views are superb.
3. Return along the grassy swathe and at the cross of tracks, carry on ahead to walk along the rim of Bannerdale Crags (2230ft/683m), all the way to the cairn, a rough slatey affair. Again you will want to pause to enjoy the pleasing views. Then turn right and descend another good grassy swathe towards the col at the right end of Blencathra. Here several paths and tracks meet. Avoid all of these except the good narrow path going ahead onto Mungrisedale Common. A short way along you come to a rather rough shallow gully and the distinct path goes on but this is not the path you need. Climb a few steps out of the gully and then head up the shallow left slope to come to a distinct narrow grassy path (can be boggy after rain) heading gently and almost level, diverging away from the other path across the extensive moorland, for nearly a mile. After a dry spell the path is great but you can see the dried bog plants and on either side some dark pools. As you progress look for pyramidal Great Calva and then Lonscale Fell. Just before the bouldery small cairn (2068ft/633km) with an iron fence post sticking out of it, notice the larger boggy pool round which you wind right. After a pause at the cairn on this rather featureless height, make your return by the same path. There are six or seven paths radiating from the cairn and they all look the same. You will know you are on the correct one when you pass to the left of the boggy pool you noted earlier.
   
   
4. Enjoy the great view of Blencathra as you return across the moor to the col crossed earlier, at the left end of the mountain. Here bear slightly right and then left to reach the start of a path that keeps to the left side of the River Glenderamackin. At first it is rough and a bit scrambly but it rapidly becomes a fine grassy track. Stop as you descend and turn round for a spectacular view of the ‘saddleback’ of the mountain and the very sharp, Sharp Edge. The path descends steadily to White Horse Bent and here you should watch for the narrow grassy footpath dropping down to a wide tractor bridge over the river.
5. Beyond climb up the slope, which looks much worse than it really is. At the top wind a little right, with the path and then turn left to another meeting of paths. Curve left to start your gentle ascent of Souther Fell. (1680ft/522km). Where the path divides don’t be tempted to head, left, for the well kept cairn but continue gently climbing to reach the summit, marked by a tiny hump of stones from where you have another glorious view. Now a decision has to be made. The path from the summit goes on pleasingly and then makes a long steepish descent with just a little scrambling. Just before the last drop, a post with a large white arrow directs you right along a steadily descending path, through a wet area and on for well over 1/4 mile to the end of enclosed fields. Wind round the last fence and descend a short way to the road to Scales. Turn left and walk on towards the Mill Inn. Here take a pleasing footbridge over the Glenderamackin to return to the car park.
   
   
6. A much easier return involves returning from the summit cairn of Souther Fell for a 1/4mile. Then a drop down, left, over the pathless slope, keeping to the left of some boggy patches. Ignore the first little path going left and take the next, a slittle further down the slope. At first this is narrow but quite clear. Soon it becomes wider and then it becomes a wide green track, a joy to walk. This route down gives you time to enjoy the glorious flat land below, stretching away to the Pennines. The last 50yds are rather vague but by this time you can see the narrow road, which you should join by the gate across the road. Carry on along the road to arrive at Mill Inn and the wooden bridge across to the car park.
   

Practicals

• Start/finish: Small parking area (£2) Mungrisedale village below Mill Inn and opposite the Recreational Centre (GR364303)
• Distance: 9 1/2 miles/15km
• Time: 5 hours
• Height gain: 2051ft/662m
• Terrain: Good walking after dry weather but can be a peaty walk in places after heavy rain
• Map: OS Explorer OL 5 The English Lakes north-eastern area
• Refreshments: Mill Inn, Mungrisdale

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For more photos, see "Walk from Mungrisedale Village" on Flickr.

If you enjoyed this blog post, find more walks by Mary Welsh either by clicking through to take a look at A list of walks in the Lake District or use the search bar in the top left hand of your screen.

Please read Mary Welsh's Golden Rules for good, safe walking before setting out.

A walk to keep you dryshod during the floods

When planning my next walk, knowing that every field would be sodden and every footpath awash, I puzzled just where it would be possible to go. Even driving from my home to start a walk would be difficult because of the many bridges that were broken, or to which access was denied, because of the battering they had taken from the torrents. Workington, Cockermouth, Keswick and Millom were cut off. Parts of Ulverston and much of Backbarrow were flooded. In the end I decided that I would try a lane walk, fairly close to my home, and start from a parking area above the floods.

1. From the parking layby walk south for a few steps along the A5092. There is no pavement, so tuck in well. Turn right into a narrow lane and climb gently to pass a tiny church. (Sadly, it was firmly locked when I tried to enter.) Go on up the lane and follow it as it winds right, ignoring any signed footpaths into the flooded fields or woods. Carry on past several dwellings at Wood End, and look for the signed walled track going on ahead. (This has a stony base and, during my walk, looked as if it had had water flowing down it previously but was now passable and quite delightful.)
2. Follow the track as it descends to pretty Beck Bottom, through rolling pastures, many with floods shining silvery in the weak sun. (Flowering shrubs and yellowing leaves of bushes made this a welcoming hamlet.) Go with the track as it winds right and rises to a narrow road. Turn acute left and walk the traffic-free way for a mile as it climbs over the lower slopes of Lowick Common and then below Lowick Beacon, with glorious views across green pastures, criss-crossed with drystone walls.
   
   
3. After descending to a valley, turn right, climbing gently to a large sign indicating a cattle grid. Stroll this gated narrow lane past Nettleslack farm and climb steadily. (Here large rainbows flickered over the charming farmhouse. Continue on the narrow lane as it curves round more high slopes, to the right, to reach Knapperthaw farm. At the signpost wind right to go on along a little stretch of the Cumbria Way to reach a wider lane. Bear right and walk for a mile along the hedged way, which has no pavements and very little traffic. Enjoy the views across the valley as you pass the small complex at Wood Gate and press on to reach the A5092. Cross with care and head on down a similar lane with a little more traffic. Look ahead as you go to see Lowick Church towering up beyond the trees. Remain on the lane ignoring a right and then a left turn.
4. Pass the entrance to Lowick Hall and then the church. Just beyond is the very fine ‘green’ village hall, charming to look at and with a walled area open sided to the lane. It has fine seating and is just the place for a break Continue down the lane to pass the Red Lion Inn. Cross the A5084 and walk ahead to stand on splendid Lowick Bridge over the River Crake. (From here the angry river raged on during my walk, spilling over its banks and across a large flat pasture as it roared on its way. If it freoze soon, I pondered, what a skating rink the pasture would make.)
5. Beyond the bridge, where the road splits, wind right and walk this lovely lane for 1 1/4 miles, high above the Crake. ( I had dramatic views of its fury and of its flooding.) The traffic-free road gradually winds down to reach the hamlet of Spark Bridge. Cross the bridge over the River Crake once more. (It had just been inspected and was found to be safe, though the surging water almost touched the roof of its arch.) Continue past the welcoming Royal Oak, and then on up to the A5902. At the Farmer’s Arms cross to the parking place. (Alas, it had a notice outside ‘Closed due to flooding’ but I hoped it wouldn’t be for long.)
   
   
   

Practicals

• Start/finish: Part of the old road, by-passed by the A5092 and lying to its west side, grid ref 302850
• Distance: 6 1/2 miles/10.5km
• Time: 3 hours
• Height gain: Very little
• Terrain: All lane walking except for track from Wood End to Beck Bottom
• Refreshments: the two inns at Spark Bridge

For more photos, see "A walk to keep you dryshod during the floods" on Flickr.

If you enjoyed this blog post, find more walks by Mary Welsh either by clicking through to take a look at A list of walks in the Lake District or use the search bar in the top left hand of your screen.

Please read Mary Welsh's Golden Rules for good, safe walking before setting out.

A walk to Haystacks

This walk takes you into the heart of the Lakeland hills. After crossing Warnscale Bottom and ascending the old packhorse route between Buttermere and Wasdale, known as Scarth Gap, a partly pitched path takes you up to the two cairned serrated craggy summit of Haystacks. The route continues past two lovely tarns set in a rocky wilderness. The return descent is by a path once used by miners to bring down slate to the valley bottom.

1. From the car park, turn left and, in a few steps, take the signposted bridleway on the left just past Gatesgarth Cottages to walk beside the beck. Continue along the path, parallel with Buttermere, across the valley bottom to cross Peggy’s bridge. Beyond, go through a gate and turn right for a short way and then bear sharp left to climb a stony rising path beside a small plantation. Continue on up the long pitched path up Scarth Gap Pass to reach Scarth Gap.
2. At the large cairn on the brow of the Pass, look for the partly pitched rocky path that climbs up, left, towards the western face of Haystacks. Near the top, scramble up some small crags to the summit, with a cairn at either end of a small ridge and a small nameless tarn, where you will want to pause.
   
   
3. Continue over the delightful top, heather-clad and with outcrops, to reach Innominate Tarn, Alfred Wainwright’s favourite and where his ashes were scattered. Another pause here might reveal reflections of Great Gable and Pillar Rock. Go on along a ‘passage’ between rocks to cross the outflow from Blackbeck Tarn. Follow the cairned path as it takes you right of Green Crag. Once beyond a path, going off right, look for a path descending left.
4. Take the steepish cairned way. Go past old buildings of the disused Green Crag quarry. Here slate was ‘mined’ and as it was deeply embedded these workings were known as ‘closehead’ workings, where slaters toiled by candlelight and in difficult conditions. Then look, left, for a breach in the skyline through which descends Black Beck, crossed earlier. Follow the old quarry path as it descends in a series of zig-zags below the forbidding north face of Haystacks.
5. Just after a waterfall the path takes a sharp turn, left, and goes down to a footbridge over the Warnscale Beck. Carry on along the often wet trod to join the main track descending more sedately from the slopes above and bear left along it for 1.4km to return to the road and then left to car park.
   

Practicals

• Start/finish: Small pay-and-display car park opposite Gatesgarth Farm at east end of Buttermere, grid ref 195149
• Map: OS Explorer OL4
• Distance: 5km/3 miles
• Time: 2-3 hours
• Height gain: 495m/1635ft
• Terrain: Paths pitched for most of Scarth Gap Pass and partly for ascent of Haystacks. Some scrambling towards summit.
• Refreshments: The Fish, the Bridge Hotel and a good walkers café, all at Buttermere village
• Public toilets: Behind The Fish, Buttermere
• Public transport: Traveline for info 0871 200 22 33

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For more photos, see "A walk to Haystacks" on Flickr.

If you enjoyed this blog post, find more walks by Mary Welsh either by clicking through to take a look at A list of walks in the Lake District or use the search bar in the top left hand of your screen.

Please read Mary Welsh's Golden Rules for good, safe walking before setting out.

A walk to Low Sweden Bridge, High Sweden Bridge and Stock Ghyll Force

This glorious walk leads on to the lower fell slopes just above Ambleside, takes in two delightful ancient bridges, and the magnificent Stock Ghyll Force. Once the small market town of Ambleside rang to the sound of clogged feet as workers trudged to the mills - these drew their power from the becks that tumbled between the houses. Today the becks still flow noisily on their way to Windermere but the other noise is that of happy visitors, many of whom are walkers.

1. Leave by the vehicle entrance to the car park and turn right to cross the road, with care, at the roundabout. Climb a very short way up steep Kirkstone Road (The Struggle) and turn into the first left. At the Y-junction walk Nook Lane, signposted ‘To Low Sweden Bridge’ and continue on passing many fine houses with magnificent views over the village to the fells beyond. Carry on to the end of tarmac, and then descend the on-going track to cross - with cameras handy - the fine bridge over the Scandale Beck.
2. Follow the main track as it zig-zags uphill. Pause often to enjoy the superb views, left, up through the Lakes with a first glimpse of Rydal Water. The distinct way passes through wall gaps and keeps on until you go over a wall by a ladderstile. Just beyond, are the remains of a sheepfold. Here descend, right, to climb another ladderstile over a lower wall. Then descend more, wind round a hillock on your left and the delectable High Sweden Bridge lies below. It is reached by the path dropping down by a fence and then through a gate.
3. This is a true packhorse bridge, with no parapets to hinder the panniers on laden horses. You will want to use your camera here and perhaps take a break on the smooth rocks on the other side of the bridge, that stretch back from the shallow pool downstream of the bridge.
4. Then continue on the narrow path along the waterside to bear right on to an old packhorse route. This gated way passes through fine deciduous woodland, with the Scandale Beck deep in its steep-sided gill, the haunt of dippers. Look for two old quarries on the left. Notice the sturdy openings at the base of the wall through which tumble streams, hurrying to join the beck below. Once out of the trees look for a gate into pastures on the left, made up of parallel poles. The gradually descending track ends at a gate on the edge of Ambleside.
5. Beyond walk on a few steps to take the signed left turn along a wide track between houses. Cross a narrow road and go on to the end of track. Pass through a small iron gate at the top of three steps, on your left, and then follow the path climbing gently beside larch woodland on you right. At the top of the slope wind a little left and take a gated step-stile through the wall on your right. Continue on a good path across the large pasture to a gate onto a wide track, with woodland to your left and a glimpse of Windermere to your right. Stroll this pleasing track all the way to reach The Struggle at a narrow corner of the road.
6. Go left, with care, for 180m/200yds, to take an access track on the right side of the road, beyond Sunny Bank cottages, to Roundhill farm. Pass through a kissing gate on right. Descend the zig-zagging track to side of Stockghyll beck and walk left to cross the tractor bridge over the stream. Climb the path up the slope to join a traffic-free tarmacked lane and walk right, first pausing to look left to see Red Screes and the white-painted Kirkstone Inn.
7. Just beyond the cattle grid, pass through the Victorian turnstile, on the right, into Stock Ghyll Park. Follow the red waymarks, right and then left, before stepping up to the railed edge of an immense ravine to see the spectacular waterfalls, particularly tumultuous after rain or snow. After your pause here, turn right and go on down through the lovely wooded slopes, with the beck to your right, to join the road. Stroll downhill and then bear right to dawdle through Ambleside and then on to car the park.

Practicals

• Start/Finish: Main pay-and-display car park at the northern end of Ambleside grid ref 376047
• Map: OS Explorer OL 7. English Lakes south-eastern
• Distance: 7.5km/4 3/4 miles
• Time: 2-3 hours
• Height gain: 320m/989ft
• Terrain: Distinct paths and tracks; packhorse track quite rough after the winter weather. Some road walking
• Refreshments: Spoilt for choice in Ambleside

For more photos, see "A walk to Low Sweden Bridge, High Sweden Bridge and Stockghyll Force" on Flickr.

If you enjoyed this blog post, find more walks by Mary Welsh either by clicking through to take a look at A list of walks in the Lake District or use the search bar in the top left hand of your screen.

Please read Mary Welsh's Golden Rules for good, safe walking before setting out.

Mary Welsh’s Golden Rules for good safe walking

• Wear suitable clothes and take adequate waterproofs.
• Walk in strong footwear; well cared for walking boots advisable.
• Carry the relevant map and compass and know how to use them.
• It is wise to familarise yourself with the route and mark it up before you set off.
• Carry a whistle; remember six long blasts repeated at one minute intervals is the distress signal.
• Carry a head torch.
• Do not walk alone, and tell someone where you are going.
• If mist descends, return.
• Keep all dogs under strict control. Observe all “No Dogs” notices – they are put there for very good reasons.
  

I have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the walks, but changes do occur. The author cannot accept responsiblity for errors, omissions or any loss or injury.

A walk beside Loweswater

Loweswater turns to the north-west and is the smallest of three lovely lakes often grouped together, the others being Buttermere and Crummock Water. The first part of the walk takes you above the lake on easy graded paths and tracks, with magnificent views for much of the way. The return route leads you beside the charming lake through pleasing deciduous woodland and makes a short detour to see a series of delectable falls, known as Holme Force.

High Nook Farm, built in the sixteenth century, is set among Scots pine. It stands near to an old coffin track that crossed above the farm and continued along the lower slopes of Carling Knott. The coffins, carried on horseback, were taken this way for the dead to be buried at St Bees Abbey.

1. From the small parking area turn left for a couple of steps and then right to cross Dubb’s Beck by Maggie’s Bridge. Stride on across the flat lush pastures of the valley on Maggie Lonnin, with fine views ahead of Carling Knott and Black Crag, the latter a spur of Gavel Fell, which lies behind. To your left looms the large bulk of Mellbreak. Remain on the track as it begins to rise towards High Nook Farm. At 0.5km beyond, at a junction of tracks, take the right branch. At the next Y-junction, a short way along, walk the left branch leading to little High Nook Tarn, a quiet sheet of water lying in a hollow between Carling Knott and Black Crag.
2. After your visit return to the Y-junction and turn left on an indistinct path. Step across two little streams, negotiate small patches of bog and then follow a grassy swathe that leads down to a footbridge over Highnook Beck, which remains hidden almost to the last step. Beyond, wind a little left and then take, right, the pleasing grassy bridleway that ascends, easily, the southern slopes of Carling Knott to the top corner of Holme Wood. Here the way winds round along the side of the stiled walled plantation of Scots pine with the dour north slopes of Carling Knott now to your left. The bridleway then moves away from the wall and descends to a wide tractor bridge over Holme Beck. Walk on along the continuing track that rises quickly and curves round high on the steep rocky side of Burnbank Fell. Pause here on the open fell, to look over the forest and across the lake for splendid views of Grasmoor and Whiteside.
   
   
3. Carry on for 1.5km along the excellent roller-coaster grassy way, with more fine views across West Cumbria and of Darling Fell on the other side of the Loweswater, the latter glimpsed far below. This delectable high-level way brings you to a ladderstile and a gate. Beyond, pause again as you turn right beside the wall, to see all of Loweswater and the tip of Crummock Water. Follow the track downhill and also where it wends left to pass through another gate. Stroll on, bearing right, to pass twin hillocks on your right. Just where the track bends left and continues to the road, turn right through two gates, onto a pasture and walk ahead beside the wall on the right. Then descend a pleasing grassy path towards Iredale Place, with more good views of Loweswater ahead. Go through two gates and continue ahead, ignoring a track off to the left. Walk the roughly reinforced gated track, with more views of the foot of the lake, to pass right of Jenkinson Place.
4. Head on to the next gate to stroll beside a row of hawthorns to your left. Just before Hudson Place, look for a stile, on your left, tucked into the hedge and, beyond, follow the wall of the garden round right to join the access track to the farm. Bear right, signed for Holme Wood, to pass the dwelling and then go left through a gate to walk a walled track heading towards the lake. Dawdle through scattered oaks and look on the lake for pochard, coot and goldeneye. Then go through a gate into glorious deciduous woodland, which at first stretches gently upward and then very steeply to the pines walked above, much earlier. Just before the footbridge over Holme Beck, turn right along an wide track and then ascend a little to stand on another footbridge to see Holme Force plummeting white-topped from high above.
   
   
5. Return to the main track, turn right, cross the footbridge and follow the pleasing way to emerge from the trees by a gate. Stroll the bridleway round, left, to pass Watergate Farm and go on to curve right, with Mellbreak immediately ahead. A short way along, on the left, you reach the car park.
   

Practicals

• Start/finish: Small parking area by Maggie’s Bridge, Loweswater, grid ref 135211
• Map: OS Explorer OL4
• Distance: 10.5km/6 1/2 miles
• Time: 3-4 hours
• Height gain: 170m/560ft
• Terrain: Good tracks and paths
• Refreshments: Kirkstyle Inn, Loweswater

For more photos, see "A walk beside Loweswater" on Flickr.

If you enjoyed this blog post, find more walks by Mary Welsh either by clicking through to take a look at A list of walks in the Lake District or use the search bar in the top left hand of your screen.

Please read Mary Welsh's Golden Rules for good, safe walking before setting out.