Lake District walks: Elterwater circle
We had one completely dry day on our recent Lake District holiday and we used it to do a beautiful circular walk starting in Elterwater village. First, we walked alongside Elterwater itself, with views across it to the Langdale Pikes.
The route then took us through fields and woodlands via two beautiful waterfalls, Skelwith Force –
– and Colwith Force.
Next to Colwith is this wishing tree, studded with small coins. Is this a peculiarly British practice? I know I’ve seen it before, but can’t remember if it was at home or abroad.
Continuing through more fields, our next discovery was the oasis that is High Park Farm. We were not expecting to come across a tea garden on our walk, but we were glad to enjoy a delicious lunch overlooking Little Langdale and the company of fellow hikers – and some beautiful Dutch Bantams. The farm is also a B&B and right on the Cumbria Way for anyone (not me!) considering a long-distance footpath.
After lunch, the walk descended past the spoil heaps of the disused Little Langdale Quarry. A pair of tunnels allows you to access part of it – Cathedral Cavern.
On the final part of the walk, we crossed the River Brathay by the 17th century pack-horse bridge – Slater Bridge – before climbing up the other side of Little Langdale from where we took a bridle path back down into Elterwater.
The walk is 7.8 miles with about 1200 feet of ascent – the route is on the excellent WalkLakes site – and I’m linking it to Jo’s Monday Walks. Why not pop along there to see where everyone else has been walking this week?
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
Hi Anabel, just been perusing your lovely blog – the pictures are gorgeous – and noticed the coin tree. Only other one I’ve seen was in the Fairy Glen at Rosemarkie.
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Thanks Jen! I know I have seen one somewhere else but can’t remember where. I’ve never been to Rosemarkie so it can’t be there!
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A lovely walk with so much to see, I can handle the 8 miles but not so sure about the steepness!
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It was reasonably gentle! More up and down than a continuous slog upwards. I’m not keen on steepness either.
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What beautiful photos! A wonderful location for walking!
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Thank you! The Lakes are always beautiful.
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My boyfriend is always trying to get me to go on walking holidays, but I remain unconvinced…I’m just not that keen on nature, and 4 miles is about my limit before I start whining about my feet hurting! I do like the looks of that cavern though!
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As a total couch-potato otherwise, I need to keep walking as my only form of exercise!
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Those are beautiful pictures, I am glad that you had a rain free day. I have never seen or heard of such a wishing tree before.
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It seems to be new to a lot of people – will now make it my mission to find more!
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Love the waterfalls, but – my goodness! – the cave is just breathtaking!
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Yes – and it’s the remains of a quarry! Not your average industrial landscape.
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