Start : This walk is from a layby just before the Borrowdale Gates hotel, see the Useful Information section for more details.
(S/E) From Borrowdale Gates hotel turn left through the gate. Follow the path that slants South-West across the field to a second gate in a dry stone wall.
(1) Go through the gate and turn left (South) onto a grassy path, follow this with a wall on your left, the path veers away from the wall and then curves back towards it at Hollows Farm. Pass through the farm and follow the farm track down to a junction with narrow road from Grange.
(2) Follow the track past the campsite on your left and at the river Derwent take the right hand path leading uphill (South-South-West) in a shallow valley. Go through a gate and continue with Castle Crag on your left, keep going until you come to a split in the path.
(3) Take the right-hand path which contours the hillside around into Tongue Gill. Ascend the side of the Gill until it is possible to cross over just below the old mine workings. Continue up the path to the ruins of the mine/quarry/
(4) From the mine/quarry continue up passing through some spoil heaps to a gate.
(5) Go through the gate and onto more level ground follow the path in a West-North-West direction to a junction with a path coming down from High Spy on the right.
(6) Turn left at the junction and take the path towards Dalehead Tarn but before reaching it turn right and double back on yourself.
(7) Then descend a path diagonally (North-North-West) downhill with the stream on your left and Miners Crag up on your right. The path continues, slanting below Miners Crag to the valley bottom where it joins a wider track used by the miners.
Turn right and walk past the ruins of Castlenook Mine and continue (North) along the almost level track to where Newlands Beck bends towards it. Just after this you will see a bridge crossing the beck on the left and a path leading to the bridge.
(8) Turn left (West) and take the path over the bridge, it then bends to the right and ascends towards Low Snab Farm. Do not take the path into the farm or past it. Instead take the path leading uphill. Up and on the left are old spoil heaps from Goldscope Mine, the path will lead up to join a path that slants diagonally up to the top of the second spoil heap.
(9) This is the entrance to the famous Gold Scope Mine. If you have a headtorch it is possible to explore the tunnel which goes into the hillside for a 100 metres or so. It ends at a stope (vertical shaft) above you and a narrowing. Do not explore beyond the stope without expert instruction and caving equipment it is dangerous.
Return back the way you have come to the entrance, then take the slanting path down the spoil heap to the farm and then back over the bridge to the good track. (8)
(8) Turn left (North) and follow the track which curves to the right above Little Town. Ignore the path leading up to Hause Gate and Cat Bells and instead remain on the path that contours the lower western slopes until it joins the road at Skelgill.
(10) Turn right (North-East) and follow the road it will lead you to a junction with a road on the right, cross over to the right hand side.
(11) Go through a gate and walk along a narrow path above the road and then as the road bends left take the broader path straight ahead between trees. This will lead you down to a junction with a road leading to the outdoor centre.
(12) Turn right (South-East) and follow the road towards the outdoor centre. Pass in front of the building, continuing along the road. Pass a metal gate on the left where a track leads down to the landing stage and a path along the shoreline. (You can take this way if you would rather walk beside the lake than through the park )
Otherwise, ignore the gate and continue straight ahead, passing through a gate beside a cattle grid and then taking the path that leads behind the second outdoor centre building. Follow this path through Brandlehow Park (woods, can be muddy) where it will descend to another landing stage for the Keswick Steamer.
(13) At the landing, stage take the path on the left (South) which runs around headland just above the shoreline. If the water is high and this is flooded take the higher path on the right which ascends over the small headland but make sure to follow the path back down to a visible building if you are walking back to the parking beside the hotel. (If you continue up and right you will come to the road beside the alternative parking described in the Useful Information section)
Either route will lead you to a white building and wooden shed covered in postcards. Walk between them and take the road to a second low building made from local slate, passing a gated track to some boathouses. At the second building take the path on the left with a wooden signpost for 'Lodore'. This will lead you around the shoreline. You will pass two bays and as you approach a third you will walk over two sets of boardwalks. Immediately after the second set lookout for a path on the right leading diagonally across the scrubby heath towards a walled off wood.
(14) Turn right (South-West) along the path heading towards the wood, before the wall, it bends leftwards and then crosses a wooden plank bridge to join a better path. Turn right, pass through a gate and follow the good track to the road (Note this section can be muddy as you cross the scrubby heath to the plank bridge and it is possible to continue along the main Lodore path from point (14), passing over more boardwalks, to another path on the right, this is usually less muddy and will lead to the same gate onto the road.)
(15) Pass through the gate, turn left and walk along the road for a short way back to your car. (S/E)
