Little Langdale & Elterwater Loop

An incredibly picturesque loop walk is particularly varied, beginning with a short walk through the hamlet of Little Langdale, continuing across pastures over to Slater Bridge, before continuing through woodland and pastures to a waterside stretch along the River Brathay passing the Skelwith Force waterfall and the lake of Elter Water. After passing through the village of Elterwater, the route leads you through slate quarries and woodland, then back to Little Langdale hamlet.

The route is a low-level Lakeland walk, with several steady climbs and descents throughout, but only reaching a height of about 180 metres above sea level. 

It follows a mixture of paved riverside paths, stone tracks, quiet lanes and paths through woodland and pastures. You will need to negotiate several bridges, gates, kissing gates and stiles. You will be sharing some of the fields with livestock. Allow 3 hours. 

Both Elterwater and Skelwith Bridge are incredibly picturesque villages, with excellent pubs to stop in for lunch.

WALK DISTANCE: 6.35 MILES/10.2 KILOMETERS

DIFFICULTY: LOW-LEVEL LAKELAND WALK WITH A FEW STEADY CLIMBS & DESCENTS

WALK TIME: 3 HOUR 35 MINUTES

MAP LINK

From Lowfield House, turn left onto the lane through the village [Side Gates road]. After 200 yards, you will pass a couple of properties on your left, then Three Shires Inn on your right a short walk after. Continue up the lane and just before the bend to the right, turn left onto the lane to Tilberthwaite. 

Follow the lane for about 200 metres, passing a couple of properties on your right, then turn right to leave the lane and join a footpath. The path descends through pastures, passing through stone wall gaps to reach Slater Bridge on the River Brathay.

Slater Bridge is an old packhorse bridge, used by the quarrymen of Little Langdale to reach the slate quarries on the other side of the valley and thought to date back to the 1600s. 

The bridge has three spans and takes advantage of a large central rock. Cross the bridge and keep ahead on the path to emerge to a junction with a lane. Turn left to follow the lane towards Stang End. From here, you could shorten this route by heading north to Little Langdale Village via a bridal path, that will bring you back onto Side Gates Road.

After passing through this tiny hamlet, continue on the lane for about 500 metres to reach the farmhouse of High Park. 

Turn left here to join the path leading across a pasture and into woodland, joining the Cumbria Way. 

As you enter the woodland, take the left-hand of the two paths (the footpath, not the bridleway) which will lead you to the riverside and past the waterfall of Colwith Force. Continue with the river on your left and you will emerge out to a junction with a lane, near High Colwith.

The main chamber reaching forty feet in height, is. today aptly nicknamed ‘The Cathedral’. 

Perhaps visit this spectacular cave from Slater’s Bridge as the entrance is close-by.

When you have finished at the waterfall, continue on the surfaced riverside path (part of the Cumbria Way) with the river running on your left. You will have wonderful views of the Langdale Pikes in the distance ahead as the path leads you through grass pastures. You will pass the small lake of Elter Water on your left; the name of this lake translates as Lake of the Swan and whooper swans over-winter on this lake. Beyond the lake, continue on the riverside path and it will lead you into the edge of the village of Elterwater, emerging to a road.

Turn left to cross the road bridge over Great Langdale Beck. At the far side, turn right onto the small side road, still following the Cumbria Way. Follow this access road leading you uphill for about 300 metres to reach a stone lay-by on your right. Follow the footpath signs here, forking right to join the footpath leading you into the trees. Follow the path with the beck running on your right. When you reach the bridge, do NOT cross this, instead swing left to continue with the beck on your right.

Turn left to cross the road bridge over Great Langdale Beck. At the far side, turn right onto the small side road, still following the Cumbria Way. Follow this access road leading you uphill for about 300 metres to reach a stone lay-by on your right. Follow the footpath signs here, forking right to join the footpath leading you into the trees. Follow the path with the beck running on your right. When you reach the bridge, do NOT cross this, instead swing left to continue with the beck on your right.

When you have finished at the waterfall, continue on the surfaced riverside path (part of the Cumbria Way) with the river running on your left. You will have wonderful views of the Langdale Pikes in the distance ahead as the path leads you through grass pastures. You will pass the small lake of Elter Water on your left; the name of this lake translates as Lake of the Swan and whooper swans over-winter on this lake. Beyond the lake, continue on the riverside path and it will lead you into the edge of the village of Elterwater, emerging to a road.

When you have finished at the waterfall, continue on the surfaced riverside path (part of the Cumbria Way) with the river running on your left. You will have wonderful views of the Langdale Pikes in the distance ahead as the path leads you through grass pastures. You will pass the small lake of Elter Water on your left; the name of this lake translates as Lake of the Swan and whooper swans over-winter on this lake. Beyond the lake, continue on the riverside path and it will lead you into the edge of the village of Elterwater, emerging to a road.

As you reach a T-junction, turn right and fork immediately left to join the woodland path into Sawrey's Wood, signed as a public bridleway to Little Langdale. The path soon continues with a pretty stone wall on your left, before emerging out to a T-junction with a track.

When you have finished at the waterfall, continue on the surfaced riverside path (part of the Cumbria Way) with the river running on your left. You will have wonderful views of the Langdale Pikes in the distance ahead as the path leads you through grass pastures. You will pass the small lake of Elter Water on your left; the name of this lake translates as Lake of the Swan and whooper swans over-winter on this lake. Beyond the lake, continue on the riverside path and it will lead you into the edge of the village of Elterwater, emerging to a road.

Blea Tarn Walk from the Slater’s Bridge is a gorgeous lake surrounded by the Langdale Pikes, and was featured in the film, 'The Witcher'. The walk is not clearly signposted from Little Langdale, so an OS Map and compass is recommended.

Hodge Close Quarry Walk, a dramatic skull cave, can be reached from Blea Tarn or Slater's Bridge, and is another 'The Witcher' film location. The walk is not clearly signposted from Little Langdale, so an OS Map and compass is recommended.