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If you're looking for a low level walk because just about a everything then this
one should pretty much fit the bill
There's industrial heritage, a couple of nice waterfalls,
and for a low level walk the views are superb.
It may be only just over 6 miles
but there's so much to see that this walk is one you can take all day over.
apart from a bit of a pull up a rocky track to start with,
and a stepped path through the woods half way round
most of the walking is pretty easy.
We start in Elterwater, in the Langdale Valley.
It might be full of tourists nowadays, but two hundred years ago quarrying was the top
industry around here.
Actually, there is still a quarry here
but in those days there were a lot more.
The ran in a belt from Coniston and Tilberthwaite to LIttle Langdale,
which is where we are heading.
A quarter mile south of the village we turn right up the old road
to Little Langdale.
Nowadays
it's cycle route thirty seven.
It's tarmac for 500 years or so, but when we leave the last house behind
it degenerates to a rocky track.
It's a bit of a pull up the hill, but there are superb views to the left.
We could turn left here to get to the village of Little Langdale,
but by carrying on we get far better views.
We're on the north side of the valley. What we're going to do is cross to the other side
and follow the line of the River Brathay back towards Elterwater.
If you look to the head of the valley you can just see the cars climbing
Wrynose Pass.
The great bulk of Wetherlam dominates the view to the south west.
Wherever you go in the Langdales there are great views but
Little Langdale has something that Great Langdale doesn't.
A tarn.
The river running out of it is the Brathay.
Across the other side of the valley
you can see the remains of the old slate quarry workings
They date back a good three hundred years and to get to them we need to cross the river
and we do that via Slaters Bridge.
It looks fairly ancient but it's not.
It was built so that the slate quarrymen of Little Langdale
could cross the river in all weathers
Note it'snot wide enough for a cart.
It'd probably take a sled though.
Sleds were used to transport slate to the dressing sheds.
From the quarries we are heading back down the river on the south side of the valley.
It's not long before we come to this modern bridge.
It might be sturdy and practical
but where's the character?
Anyway, we're staying on the south side of the river
It's a tarmac road so easy going,
with fabulous views across the valley.
That's Lingmoor, with the village of Little Langdale on the other side of the river.
Bowfell just peeking through a gap there.
There's Loughrigg
and Silver Howe.
He seems happy enough!
To stay in touch with the river we've left the tarmac road at High Park and followed the path into the woods.
We're close to the tiny village of Colwith, and this is Colwith Force.
It's one of the Lake District's best kept secrets.
There must be thousands of tourists who travel the Lakes by car and drive within 50 yards of this
but they are blissfully unaware of it.
In a way that's probably not such a bad thing.
There you go, a nice des res,
Easy access, with woodland garden
and built in water feature.
Now, these are becoming increasingly common
a fallen tree with coins stuck into it.
There are a number of these dotted around the lakes now but only a few years ago
there were none.
Anyway, we'd better do our bit for modern folk art.
Right, we are on the final leg of the walk now.
Across this road, over the wall,
and along with Cumbria Way to Skelwith
We've still got the river to our left.
Unfortunately there is no riverbank footpath.
instead
we've got a few steps to climb.
At the top there's one last view of the river down below.
before we head off
across the fields
towards Skelwith.
There are few properties on this stretch. Paths to cross, gates to go through.
It's not long before we reach Elterwater Park.
This used to be a farm, but nowadays it's a guest house.
He clearly thinks it still is a farm!
Once we get past Elterwater Park we get great views of Loughrigg.
That footpath down there is where we are headed
but first we've got another treat in store.
This is Skelwith Force
It's not as spectacular as Colwith
but since it's near the road, more people know about it
so it's higher in the tourist popularity stakes.
Another modern bridge to cross
This once quite new and saves half a mile hike.
Then we turn left for the last minute and a bit to Elterwater.
This is one of the most relaxing sections of the walk and the views are superb.
That's Elterwater.
It's serene, isn't it
Elterwater is unusual
in that there is no path around the lake.
instead the track runs behind the trees that line the shore
We've still got pretty good views though.
At the other end we reaach Great Langdale Beck.
just as it enters the lake.
It's a gentle stroll along the well made path back to Elterwater.
Where we may just enjoy a pint or two before heading back home