La’al Ratty & Stanley Force, Eskdale

Stanley Force is a 60ft high waterfall deep in Eskdale Valley, accessed via a series of narrow footbridges and a path that winds through a gorge and ancient woodland. This walk takes you from Dalegarth Station up to the falls and back on a circular route.

It is suitable for dogs throughout and children aged four and up. The best way to reach Dalegarth Station is via La’al Ratty, the narrow gauge steam railway that operates between Dalegarth and Ravenglass.

La’al Ratty from Ravenglass

If you are heading into the depths of Eskdale, then it would be a great shame to miss out on a ride aboard the La’al Ratty. Also known as the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, this narrow gauge railway was once used to transport minerals from the valley to the coast, but today it is a popular tourist attraction.

Tickets cost £13.90 return for adults, £6.95 return for children 5-15 years, and children under 5 are free. Dogs cost £1.50. The return fare covers you to ride on the train as much as you like on that day. During the main tourist season, there are two or three trains per hour and the journey takes around 40-minutes.

The Start of the Walk – Dalegarth Station

If you decide to skip the ride on the Ratty you can park at Dalegarth Station. At the station you will find toilets, including baby changing facilities, a gift shop, and a café that has takeaway options and is dog friendly. Head out of the station onto the road and turn left, signposted for Boot Village. After about 50-metres you will see the Brook House Inn on your left. Turn right opposite the inn, signposted for St Catherine’s Church.

St Catherine’s Church

Follow the road, and you will pass a field and then through a selection of holiday homes. The road becomes narrower after passing through a large gate (usually left open). You can now let your dog off the lead. You will pass a footpath on the left signposted for Gill Force. Continue instead along the road, and you will eventually arrive at St Catherine’s Church. The church dates back to the 12th century, originally built by the monks resident at St Bees.

Stepping Stones

Follow the path around the church and you will see the river ahead of you. You now have two options. Directly ahead of you there is a stepping stone crossing over the river. These stones are fairly large, and most adults and older children will manage them very well. However, they are quite far spaced apart in places, and children under the age of six may need help to get across without getting wet.

The water is not too deep here, but you will end up with wet trousers if you miss the stone. Once across the stones, go straight over the path that runs along the river, instead heading up the bank, through the gap in the wall. It is signposted for Stanley Force.

Alternative Crossing – Girdar Bridge

If you don’t want to attempt the stepping stones, then at the river, turn left, following the signpost for an alternative crossing. Follow the path for about 250-metres, and you will see a bridge over the river. Cross the bridge, and turn right on the other side, following the path along the river. This will lead you to back to the stepping-stones. Turn left by the stepping stones, go straight over the path and up the bank through the gap in the wall, signposted for Stanley Force.

The Hole in the Wall

You will find yourself on an open patch of land with a wide grassy track heading straight ahead. Follow this path, and it eventually narrows, until it reaches a stonewall. There is a large gap in the wall for you to go through.

Once through the wall turn right, and follow the path as it begins to descend slightly. There are a number of small streams that run across this path with plenty of stones that allow you to cross without getting too wet. You will eventually come to a large gate that you will need to go through.

Crossing the Ghyll

Once through the gate, the path continues and eventually reaches a ghyll. There is a narrow bridge for you to cross or you could attempt some more stepping stones if you are feeling brave. Shortly after the bridge, you will reach a crossroads in the path. Turn left here, following the path as it leads up to the wall, and then starts to run along it, with the wall on the right hand side.

Through the Woodland

The path moves away from the wall and into more open woodland. You will pass a picnic bench on your left, and then pass a turning on your right. You will take this turning on the return journey. Continue following the path, as it leads you to the side of the ghyll. You will now follow the ghyll up through the gorge. The path becomes narrow at times and care should be taken where there are steep drops down to the water.

A Series of Footbridges

You will arrive at the first of three footbridges to cross. Each one gives delightful views of the water as the gorge gets steeper. At the second bridge, there is an additional waterfall flowing over the cliff at one end of the bridge. At the third bridge, before you cross, there is a lookout point that enables you to view the bottom of the falls.

A warning sign explains that the path ahead is very slippery, and you may wish to turn back here. Alternatively, cross the bridge and climb up the stepped rock, where you will be rewarded with a superior view of Stanley Force waterfall.

Returning Back – Alternative Path

If you prefer, you can now retrace your steps back towards the picnic bench mentioned above. However, if you would like a more circular route, go back across the last bridge at the top of the falls. Just after the bridge, look to your left and you will see a narrow path that leads up the side of the gorge, away from the main path, and under a heavily leaning tree.

Take this path, it will lead you up the side of another smaller ghyll that feeds into the larger Stanley ghyll. At the top, there is a stone slab crossing and some fallen logs that make for an ideal tranquil picnic spot.

Through the Woodland

Do not cross over the stone slab crossing, but instead, veer right, away from the ghyll. Follow the path as it leads you pass some large boulders, which again make for a great picnic spot. Continue on the main path, ignoring the small path that leads away from the boulders, and it starts to descend again. It can be muddy in places. At the fork in the path, turn right, and this will lead you back down to the main path along Stanley ghyll. Turn left onto this path.

The Gate onto the Track

Continue to follow the path along the ghyll. After a short distance, you will come to a turning on your left, and you will be able to see the picnic bench ahead of you in the distance. Take this turning, and it will lead you to a gate. Go through the gate and you will now be on a gravel track. Turn right onto the track. At the slightly staggered crossroads in the track, go straight on, although you may want to briefly explore the low level crags in the field to the left.

Return to Dalegarth Station

The track leads you to a large gate. Go through the gate and you will now be on a road and any dogs should be returned to their leads. Continue along the road, passing a car park, and crossing a bridge and, at the junction, turn right. After a few metres, you will arrive back at Dalegarth Station.