Mountain Course & Activity Locations

The Elterwater Circuit, Langdale, The Lake District

The circuit of Elterwater (right) in The Lake District has got to be the jewel in the crown of low level walks in the National Park. Everything you see on this walk is typical lakeland scenery - drystone walls, fields of Sheep & Cattle, mountains, forests, lakes, rivers and waterfalls and there is even one of the area's most famous cafes en route!

We meet at the National Trust Car Park at Elterwater and walk south over Great Langdale Beck following the road then bearing right just before the Eltermere Inn. From here, we follow a bridleway that ascends through typical Lake District woodlands until you come to the view in the second photo. From there, we head straight on in to Little Langdale past a typical Lakeland farm to cross the Wrynose Pass Road and then head south again along a farm track overlooking little Langdale Tarn (photo three).

Continuing on, we descend to where the River Brathay flows from Little Langdale tarn, crossing this via the famous Slate Clapper Bridge (right) and then following the bridleway/river east to the ford and footbridge leading back to Little Langdale Village and the Three Shires Inn - a good place for a pint!

From here, we follow a road up and through two typical Lakeland farmsteads before dropping down through fields & woodland to rejoin the river Brathay just above Colwith Force - a pretty waterfall having a unique small scale Hydro-electric power plant built right next to it. Continuing down through the woodland, we cross another road and after following the river a short distance further we climb up through another wood and then cross through fields, past houses and farms, before starting to descend again.

Descending through more woodland, we will eventually begin to hear the roar of the Skelwith Force Waterfall on the River Brathay which we cross, just upstream of the waterfall via a picturesque footbridge.

At the end of the footbridge, turning left leads us on the way back towards Elterwater Village, but it's worth turning right not only to get a close up experience of the power of the thundering Skelwith Force just 50 metres downstream (right) but if you continue along a well made footpath a further 250 metres you will get to Chesters By The River - a famous gift shop and cafe where you can buy cakes, tea/filter coffee or soft drinks and if the desire takes you, a savoury snack or full meal of the best quality. The cafe has outside seating overlooking the River Brathay and this is a fine place to take a break on a pleaseant day.

After visiting Skelwith Force and Chesters if you desire, we then retrace our steps to the footbridge and continue straight ahead. After a very short distance upstream, the wooded valley opens out on to flat grassy farmland through which the river gently meanders, broad and deep.

This final leg of the walk is very pleasant and follows a well made path alongside the river and then past Elter Water itself. We then break off from the lake walking alongside Great Langdale Beck which flows in from Elterwater Village and after only a short distance further, we arrive back in the National Trust Car Park from where we started our walk.

This guided walk is just over 5 & 1/2 miles in total. A mile & 1/2 to the Clapper Bridge in Little Langdale, a further mile to Colwith Force, and from Colwith Force to Chesters by the River is a further mile & 1/2. The walk back to Elterwater Village is just a further mile & 1/2 of flat walking through very scenic countryside.

Frequently asked questions about our guided walk around Elterwater.

Where do we meet for this walk? Answer - At the National Trust Car Park in Elterwater Village. Google Maps dropped pin here.   What3words location - here. For groups of a maximum of four persons, it may be possible for us to provide transport from your hotel and back at the end of the walk - please enquire.

What time do we start our day? Answer - 09:00 is a good time to meet: any later and the car park may well be full - particularly in Summer! 

Do I need any previous experience to be able to join you on a guided walk around Elterwater? Answer - not necessarily so, but you should be fit and healthy and will, ideally, already have experience of easy walks in the countryside.

What equipment do I need in order to be able to undertake a walk around Elterwater? Answer - at the very least, you should bring waterproof & windproof jacket if the weather is cool and potentially damp; and a hat, gloves may be wise. On a warm sunny & hot day, bring sunglasses, a sun hat and sun cream. Bring a bottle of water in Summer and some money or a bank card if you fancy visiting Chesters by the river. Your footwear should be outdoor appoach shoes or training shoes with good ankle support and grippy soles. On no account come in shoes that you would wear to walk around indoors or on pavements. It may also be useful to have one or two walking poles just in case you get tired, or have sore knees.

Do you provide support/guiding for speed walking or challenge events on the Elterwater Circuit?  Can Corporate groups do this walk? Answer - Lakes Outdoor Experience does not provide support or guiding for any challenge events but we will guide corpoate groups on the Elterwater Circuit.

How fit should I be in order to successfully complete the Elterwater Circuit? Answer - Ideally, you'll be in reasonable shape in order to complete this 5 & 1/2 mile walk. There are no steep gradients except on the descent path to Colwith Force which is along a rough path. The rest of the paths are generally good and we can take as long as you wish on this walk.

How much does it cost per person to undertake the Elterwater Circular Walk with Lakes Outdoor Experience? Answer - To do this walk with us is a minimum fee of £180.00 for 1 to 2 persons. For three persons to five persons the fee is £70 each. For six to ten persons the price is £60 each and for children under 18, the fee is £50.00 each.

To arrange your Elterwater Circular Walk with us - contact us here or call or WhatsApp us on 07761 483364.

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