Elterwater and Skelwith Bridge

Picturesque path

Picturesque path leading through farmland along route

This lovely walk along part of the Cumbria Way in the Langdale Valley is a popular one for visitors and local residents alike, thanks in part to the excellent food that is available along route. The walk starts in the tiny hamlet of Elterwater, named after the small lake that is close by.

It follows a well-maintained bridleway along the River Brathay, before arriving at the shore of Elterwater. It then leads on to Skelwith Bridge, with the option to turn back for a shorter, pushchair friendly walk, or continue to do a loop through picturesque farmland.

A significant portion of the walk is suitable for dogs to be let off the lead, and all of the establishments (pubs, etc.) we mention in this guide are dog friendly! During peak periods, however, you may find a significant wait for your food, as the area is very popular with walkers.

Quick Facts

Distance: 2.5 miles or 4 miles

Time: 2-3 hours

Terrain: Well-maintained bridleway to start, then farm tracks, country road, and woodland tracks

Suitable For: Dogs, Older Children, Younger Children (part of the route), Toddlers in Carriers, Most Pushchairs (part of the route)

Parking: Pay and display parking is available in Elterwater, Grid Ref NY 328048; National Trust members can park for free with a valid pass

Facilities: Toilets (20p charge), pub, and café at Elterwater; Café at Skelwith Bridge; Small tea room at Elterwater Park Guest house half way along the longer route

The Start of the Walk

Gate from the National Trust Car Park

Gate from the National Trust Car Park

To get to Elterwater, it is best to take the A593 from Ambleside towards Coniston, then at Skelwith Bridge turn right onto the B5343, signposted for Elterwater. If you are coming from the direction of Keswick, do not attempt to go via Grasmere Village, as most vehicles will struggle on those roads. After about a mile, take the turning left into Elterwater.

Follow the road through the village, passing the Britannia Inn on your right, and on the left, just before the bridge, you will see the car park. This car park does fill up quickly, and Elterwater village has restrictions on roadside parking, so it’s best to try and arrive early. A gate in the car park leads you onto the path that follows the river.

Following the River

Bench by the River Brathay

Bench by the River Brathay

Once through the gate, dogs can be let off the lead. You will now be on the Cumbria Way, a well-maintained bridleway that is flat enough for most pushchairs to manage (if you have a lightweight umbrella style pushchair you may struggle at times). The path follows the River Brathay as it meanders through the valley and leads into Elterwater. There are some benches along the way that make great resting spots, as well as plenty of opportunities for paddling, stone throwing, etc. in the summer. Ignore any paths that veer off to the left, and instead follow the main path until you reach a gate.

Elterwater

Elterwater Shore

Elterwater Shore

Go through the gate. Just beyond the gate there are some benches on your right and you can step down onto the shore of Elterwater. When this guide was produced the weather was poor, but on a dry day you will be rewarded with delightful views of the Langdale fells.

This is another excellent resting spot. You will then need to keep following the path, which is again re-joined by the river as it leads back out of Elterwater. You will come to another large gate that you will need to go through.

The Footbridge

The Footbridge

The Footbridge

Once you have gone through this gate you will find yourself in a more open field. Occasionally, you will find grazing animals here, so dogs may need to go back on the lead briefly. The path goes through the field, up a small hill, to a gate the other side. Go through this gate, and you will see a fork in the path with a footbridge leading to the right.

Take note of this footbridge, as if you are doing the longer walk you will return here and cross it. (Alternatively, you can cross it now, skipping the waterfall and Chesters at Skelwith Bridge if you choose). Dogs can be let back off the lead here, but do be aware that there are some steep drops. To continue to the waterfall and Skelwith Bridge, take the left hand fork.

Skelwith Falls

Skelwith Falls

Skelwith Falls

The path leads through a small wooded area with the river on your right. The path is much higher than the river, and there is a wooden fence separating you from the edge, but you should take care if you have small children or dogs. After a short distance, you will see an opening in the fence, with steps leading down to the falls.

Pushchairs will not make it down here. Young children will need assistance and close supervision. Dogs will need to be supervised and kept on the lead if you feel they may go over the edge. It is slippery in places, so do take care. That being said, it is certainly worth heading down to take a closer look at the falls. Head back up to the path to continue along the route.

Turning Point for the Shorter Walk

The Path through the Woodland

The Path through the Woodland

Once you have returned to the path from the falls, you have three options. Turn right to continue a little further along the path and you will arrive at Chesters in Skelwith Bridge. This is a popular café / shop that serves great food with seats overlooking the river. There are takeaway options, as well. Chesters will take dogs, but it gets very busy, even out of peak season.

You can also turn left at this point and retrace your steps back to Elterwater. You will need to do this if you are using a pushchair. To carry on the longer route, turn left and return to the footbridge, this time crossing over it to follow the path through the woodland.

The Woodland Walk

Sign at the Junction

Sign at the Junction

The path winds up through a small woodland and dogs are fine to be off the lead here. You will pass a small house on the left, before coming to a junction in the path. Go straight ahead, following the signs for Colwith Bridge. You will then come to a wooden kissing gate, that you will need to go through.

A Series of Gates

Path Leading to the Farm Track

Path Leading to the Farm Track

Once through the gate, your dog will need to put on the lead, as you will now be in open farmland and will likely encounter grazing sheep. The path leads to a farm track. Turn right onto the track. This will take you down to Park House – a farm. The path leads you around the farm buildings, to the first of two metal kissing gates.

Go through the first gate, then along the narrow path round the back of the buildings, and then through the second kissing gate. You will then be in another field, with a track leading through it. Walk through the field, following the track, and you will then arrive at another, larger gate, that you will need to go through.

Muddy Boots Barn

Muddy Boots Barn

Muddy Boots Barn

Once through the gate, the track leads up a small hill, towards the Elterwater Park Guest House. There is another gate to go through, and you will find yourself in the courtyard for the guesthouse. On the left hand side, there is a barn that has been converted into a tearoom, named Muddy Boots Barn.

This is a small, cosy, and very informal tearoom, with a bell that alerts the owners of your presence. You can buy hot and cold drinks, including beer, as well as a small selection of cakes. It’s a lovely place to stop, especially if you are dealing with poor weather, and dogs are, of course, welcome.

Crossing the Wall

The Wall Crossing

The Wall Crossing

Continue through the courtyard to the other side, cross the drive way for the guest house and there is a path leading off through the field, clearly marked with a Cumbria Way marker. Follow this path down through a field and you will come to a boundary with a stile with a separate dog gate that you will need to go over.

Continue to follow the path on the other side and you will come to another stonewall. This time the crossing is a series of steps built into the wall. They are narrow and slippery when wet. Once over the wall, you will find yourself on a short, narrow path, with a hedgerow either side, enclosing the path. You will see a gate at the other end that you will need to go through.

Farmland with a View

Path Leading through Farmland

Path Leading through Farmland

Once through the gate, you will find yourself on a drive way for another farm building. Directly opposite, there is a kissing gate leading onto a field. Go through the gate and follow the path through the field. If the weather is clear, you will be rewarded with views of Elterwater and you will be able to see the path you walked on over the other side. At the end of this path, there is a another stile with a dog gate to cross over.

Return to Elterwater

Looking Back up the Steps

Looking Back up the Steps

Once over the stile, you will be above the River Brathay once more. A series of steep steps takes you down to the river through woodland, before arriving at a wall with built-in stone steps. There is a road the other side. Turn right onto the road (a fairly quiet country lane with slow moving traffic), crossing a bridge, and at the junction, continue straight on.

Continue along the road for a short distance, and look out for a gate on the left hand side with a path signposted “Elterwater, Avoiding Road”. You can then walk through the woodland with dogs able to roam freely, before briefly re-joining the road just outside of the village of Elterwater. In Elterwater, both the Britannia Inn and the Elterwater Café allow dogs, and serve hot and cold food, including children’s items.