Elterwater Lakes

In contrast to the great lakes of the Lake District, here are three small lakes that lay south of Elterwater village.

Technical sheet

n°4098846
A Lakes walk posted on 11/05/15 by Tamtraductions. Last update : 23/06/20
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.51 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 184 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 183 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 221 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 92 m
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Description

From Ambleside, take the B5343 and park on the roadside before Elterwater village (S).

Go down a path through the meadows reaching Elterwater village (1). Take a wide alley used as a promenade leading to the lakes, and walk along the north banks. Keep walking on the promenade reaching the bridge (2) and cross the stream outflow (Brathay River).

Go through the forest and onto a side trail called Cumbria Way. Follow this path to the right, then leave it to the left when you reach the junction with a little paved road. Keep going straight on the road until you get to Stang End(3).

Take a 90° right-hand turn leading you to houses in Little Langdale. There's a short journey before getting to the trail (4) which heads north-east then north before reaching a larger track (5).

Take this large path to the right and walk in a slight downhill direction towards the first houses of Elterwater and then the road (6) which, going left takes you back to point (1) and on to the car park on the same path as when you started.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 122 m
  2. 1 : km 0.46 - alt. 115 m - Elterwater
  3. 2 : km 2.53 - alt. 108 m - River Brathay
  4. 3 : km 5.57 - alt. 180 m - Stang End
  5. 4 : km 6.12 - alt. 170 m - Langdale path
  6. 5 : km 6.83 - alt. 214 m - Track
  7. 6 : km 7.8 - alt. 117 m - Elterwater Road
  8. S/E : km 8.51 - alt. 123 m

Useful Information

No water, no shelter

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

The waterfall by the Brathey River bridge

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Clarity of route description
4.5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Walk interest
4.5 / 5
Claire.561
Claire.561

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 14/07/20
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

This walk was a lovely cir circular walk from Elterwater. It was easy to follow and the landscape was beautiful.

rosalynwalker2
rosalynwalker2

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 03/03/19
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very good walk around the lake, lots of local interesting views. Bonus was the pub in Elterwater

TAIVA
TAIVA

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 10/02/19
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An easy walk that punches above it's weight. Lucky enough to walk after snowfall in January and with snow capped mountains surrounding us, it felt like an alpine experience.

trolltune
trolltune

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 28/04/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant Sunday walk. Begins very wide, busy and flat but changes to a more rural character after the Brathay bridge. The highlight of the walk is perhaps the view of High Force from below, reached by a short 20 metre diversion to the right while walking through the forest after crossing the road at Colwith. The Britannia Inn in Elterwater is en-route and offers a welcome near the end of the walk

Other walks in the area

Walking Lingmoor, Side Pike and Little Langdale

Walker
Lingmoor, Side Pike and Little Langdale
↔14.40 km ↗+574 m ↘-572 m ◔5h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lakes (Westmorland and Furness)

This is an interesting walk from Elterwater or Chapel Stile.

Walking Lingmoor and Great Langdale

Walker
Lingmoor and Great Langdale
↔13.16 km ↗+487 m ↘-480 m ◔5h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lakes (Westmorland and Furness)

This is a circular walk from Elterwater which crosses Lingmoor before descending to Blea Tarn and then returning via Great Langdale. There are great opportunities for photography; from the snake like wall running across Lingmoor, the Langdale Pikes and reflections in the lake at Blea Tarn, plus the rural scenery in Great Langdale on the return leg.

Walking Little Langdale and Black Fell Circular

Walker
Little Langdale and Black Fell Circular
↔11.81 km ↗+356 m ↘-357 m ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lakes (Westmorland and Furness)

A varied walk taking in woodland, a quarry, farmland, the open fell side and finishing beside a river with a waterfall and then the lake side at Elterwater.

Walking Loughrigg Tarn and Loughrigg Fell from Elterwater

Walker
Loughrigg Tarn and Loughrigg Fell from Elterwater
↔6.80 km ↗+288 m ↘-286 m ◔2h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Lakes (Westmorland and Furness)

This is a short walk with a lot of interest. Despite it not tackling any of the major Lakeland summits the views over Loughrigg Tarn are excellent and the panorama from Loughrigg Fell is one of the best. The descent through the arboretum of High Close and Low Wood maintains the interest. This is a great walk for a half day, perhaps when it has rained and then has started to brighten up.

Walking YHA hopping in The Lake District - YHA Langdale to YHA Black Sail

Association or club
YHA hopping in The Lake District - YHA Langdale to YHA Black Sail
↔21.33 km ↗+1,422 m ↘-1,314 m ◔10h 10 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lakes (Westmorland and Furness)

The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 8 Wainwrights and 3 tarns.

Walking YHA hopping in The Lake District - YHA Langdale to YHA Hawkshead

Association or club
↔15.11 km ↗+308 m ↘-406 m ◔5h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lakes (Westmorland and Furness)

The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 1 Wainwright, 1 tarn and 1 pub.

Walking YHA Hopping in the Lake District - YHA Langdale to YHA Coniston Holly How

Association or club
↔19.62 km ↗+802 m ↘-904 m ◔7h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lakes (Westmorland and Furness)

This is a varied walk with a couple of fells to climb but nothing really difficult. Take care of yourself and look out for wildlife along the way. Just enjoy the journey and make the most of the moment. Along the way are 2 Wainwrights, 2 tarns, 2 pubs and a lake.

Walking Fairfield Horseshoe & Loughrigg from High Close

Walker
↔22.44 km ↗+1,120 m ↘-1,121 m ◔9h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lakes (Westmorland and Furness)

This variation of the Fairfield Horseshoe starts from High Close on the western edge of Loughrigg Fell. The route follows a clockwise direction offering a different perspective to the normal horseshoe route.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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