Rosthwaite to Galleny Force, AKA the Fairy Glen

Borrowdale is a walkers’ paradise and for those with younger children it offers numerous possibilities for adventure without having to climb the fells. This walk is best taken in the summer, when you can take advantage of the warmer weather and take a plunge into one of the pools that sits below the Galleny Force waterfall.

The walk starts in Rosthwaite and follows the Cumbria Way past the hamlet of Stonethwaite, following the Stonethwaite Beck to Galleny Force. The area around the force is known locally as Fairy Glen, and once there, you will see why. It is a magical place, with plunge pools in deep gorges, and boulders and trees for climbing. The first half of the walk can be completed with an all terrain pushchair.

The Start of the Walk – Leaving Rosthwaite

To get to the car park at Rosthwaite, take the B5289 from Keswick to Borrowdale. When you arrive at Rosthwaite look for a turning on the right, with a blue “P” sign for parking. The car park is a short distance down this road on the right hand side. Once parked, walk back along the road you came in by to the B5289. At the B5289 turn left (towards Keswick) and then after a short distance turn right onto the track.

There is a pubic footpath sign for Stonethwaite, and a sign for the Hazelbank Hotel. Walk along the track to the bridge and go over the bridge. At the end of the bridge, there is a crossroads, with the drive straight on leading to the hotel and the path crossing over the road. Turn right onto the path and you will now be on a level track following a wall on your left and the beck on your right.

The Cumbria Way to Stonethwaite

You are now on the Cumbria Way. After around 300 metres, you will come to a gate across the path. Go through the gate and head right along the path. The path now becomes enclosed by walls either side, and drops down slightly, before the track then widens and becomes less enclosed and there is another gate to go through.

There are some lovely views of the fells during this section of the walk. You will then come to a turning on the right (signposted for Stonethwaite) and a gate straight ahead (signposted for Grasmere). If you want to do a shorter walk, you can begin the walk here and park at Stonethwaite, but parking is limited. Continue straight ahead through the gate.

Following the Path

Continue to follow the path as it leads through the valley. Eagle Crag stands proudly in the distance. Go through a gate and pass a turning on the left for a smaller path (leading to Dock Tarn). Go through an additional gate, following the path at all times.

Beware of grazing livestock as the path crosses through fields. Go through two additional gates and, beyond the second gate, the path becomes uneven (all terrain pushchairs will probably need to be carried) as it crosses the base of a shallow ghyll that leads into the beck (with a water gate on your right).

The Fairy Glen

Go beyond the water gate and the path becomes level once more. Ignore the path on the left and continue straight on. The path then turns sharply right, dropping down to a wooden bridge. Go over the bridge and before continuing straight on along the path, drop down to your right off the path down to the beck, where one of the deep pools that form the Fairy Glen will now be visible.

The water that runs through the gorge is waist deep and perfect for swimming in. The Galleny Force waterfall is further up stream and best accessed via the path on the other side of the beck, that you will now head to by continuing on the main path. All terrain pushchair users will need to go back the way they came at this point.

The Bridge Over the Beck

Return to the path and follow it as it winds up through the ferns. Use the stepping stones to cross over a small stream that flows over the path. The path continues to follow the beck which will now be on your right, with several large boulders between the path and the beck. The falls are along here, but best viewed from the other side.

Beyond the falls, the path drops down to join the side of the beck. After a short distance, you will come to a gate on the right that leads directly onto a wooden bridge across the beck. There is metal fence (used to gather sheep) that you will need to walk around to get to the gate. Go over the bridge and turn right.

The Other Side of the Beck

Follow the path, going through a gate. You will now be on the other side of the beck. The waterfalls are visible from this side of the path and there is more access to the pools for swimming. Continue along the path as it gently drops down along the side of the beck. You will then come to a fork in the path, with a large boulder in the middle. Take the right hand fork and after a short distance you will come to a gate to go through.

Heading to the Campsite

Beyond the gate, the path briefly levels out and closely follows the beck on the right. You will then come to a short, steep section over some boulders that you will need to climb up to get to the gate at the top. This can easily be managed by toddlers who are confident walkers providing they are monitored carefully. Go through the gate at the top and the path drops down again on the other side to re-join the beck. Continue along the path and the campsite gate will be directly ahead of you.

Arriving at Stonethwaite

Go through the campsite gate and walk straight through the campsite (it is a public footpath so access is permitted), and go through the gate at the other end, taking you into an open field. Walk through the field following the path, to a gate the other side. Go through the gate and continue through the second field.

At the end of the second field, there is another gate, leading you onto the road adjacent to the Langstrath Inn at Stonethwaite. The inn serves real ale and snacks throughout the day, as well as lunches and evening meals.

Returning to Rosthwaite

Go past the pub and follow the single track road. It is very quiet as it is only used to access the inn and the campsite. Follow the road until it ends at a crossroads. Go straight over onto another single track road. This ends at some houses with a gate to the right of the houses. Go through the gate and join the path at the other side. Go through a second gate, taking you into a field, where dogs need to be on the lead. Follow the path along the top of the field and go through the gate at the end on your right.

The track continues through another field with houses in the distance. There is another gate at the other end to go through, taking you into a third field. Again, follow the well-worn path to the gate on the other side that will bring you out onto a track in Rosthwaite. Turn right, then left, and then right again past Nook Farm. You will come out by the Flock-In Tea Room. Turn right here to return to the car park.