Wastwater & Low Wood
Bench Looking over Wastwater
With only one road into Wasdale valley that is accessed via the western edge of Cumbria, Wastwater is one of the more difficult lakes to reach. Those who do tend to make the journey here are generally more concerned with ascending Sca Fell Pike, with Wasdale Head being the favoured start point. Consequently the lake is one of the quieter places to visit in the Lake District, particularly outside of the main tourist season, when you may find you are one of only a handful of people in the entire valley.
Whilst Wasdale Head is the focus point for so many, this walk is around the opposite end of the lake, closer to the village of Nether Wasdale, where you will find friendly pubs offering shelter and good food. Suitable for most people, the walk is a great one for dogs who can roam freely through the woodland, whilst children will delight in the carpets of bluebells that coat the woodland during May. There are also some brilliant picnic spots, including a purpose built shelter at the walk’s start and end point.
Quick Facts
Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 1-2 hours
Terrain: Narrow, quiet road, level woodland track, grassy path
Suitable For: Dogs, older children, younger children, babies and toddlers in carriers, all-terrain pushchairs with two adults (small stepped section will require carrying)
Parking: Limited spaces at layby on lake road (Ref NY 149 051); Additional laybys with spaces are available further along the road towards Wasdale Head
Facilities: None on route; Nether Wasdale is approximately 2-miles away from the start point, which has two pubs that serve food
The Start of the Walk
Wastwater from the Hiker’s Shelter
The walk begins on the narrow lane that runs along the western side of Wastwater. To access it, follow the signs for Nether Wasdale from Gosforth (on the A595). Drive through Nether Wasdale, which will then bring you to the lake. Approximately two miles from Nether Wasdale there is a layby on the right (Grid Ref NY 149 051) with parking for 4-5 cars. The layby is overlooked by a stone hiker’s shelter which makes it easy to identify.
If there is no room here, you can find additional parking further along the road at various points. Once you have parked walk back along the road towards Nether Wasdale. It is a quiet road with very slow moving traffic and grazing sheep, so children should be supervised and dogs kept on a lead.
Leaving the Road
The Path Leading off the Road
After a short distance, the road turns sharply right, and on the left hand side on the corner of the turn there is a signpost denoting a public footpath. Turn here, and after a few metres you will come to a gate in a wall, that you will need to go through. On the other side of the gate there are approximately six stone steps to descend, so if you are using a pushchair you will need to carry it down. The path leads through a small copse before arriving at a grassy field with the lake shore on your left. There are often sheep grazing in this area so dog owners should be aware.
The Youth Hostel
Bench Looking over Wastwater
The path leads along the lake shore through the field, and you will then arrive at another gate. Go through the gate, and dogs can now be let off the lead. Follow the path, passing a bench overlooking the lake which makes an ideal resting point. You will then arrive at another gate. Go through this gate and you will find yourself in the grounds of Wasdale Hall, a youth hostel. There are occasionally dogs in the grounds, so depending on the behaviour of your dog you may wish to put it back on the lead at this point.
Entering Low Wood
Bench Looking over Wastwater
The path continues to hug the shore of Wastwater as you pass Wasdale Hall on your right, easily identified by its half timbered exterior. You will then come to another gate that brings you into Low Wood. Once you are through the gate, dogs can be let off the lead once more. The path maintains its course along the shore of Wastwater, and you are now at the very southern end of the lake. There are benches along the shore offering up plenty of picnic opportunities. This is also a great place for paddling, but do be aware that the shore drops quickly into deep water.
Meeting the River Irt
The Boathouse and Pumping Station
Continue to follow the path along the lake shore. The woodland on your right is rich with bluebells during the late spring. You will shortly see a small stone hut ahead of you, marking the point where River Irt feeds into Wastwater. The path turns right in front of the hut. After a short distance you will come to a fork in the path. Take the left hand fork to continue following the water’s edge, now the River Irt. Across the river you will be able to see a pumping station and a boathouse.
Through the Woodland
The Fork in the Woodland Path
The path then leads slightly away from the river up through the woodland, where again, in May, you will be able to see plenty of bluebells. You will then come to another fork in the path. Take the left hand fork. This will then lead you to a stone wall with a small gate to go through. If you have a pushchair, you may need to remove your child and collapse it to get it through, depending on the its size.
Following the River
Bridge over River Irt
On the other side of the gate you will find yourself once more at the edge of the River Irt, now much narrower. There is a stone bridge directly in front of you. You do not need to cross this bridge, but it is a good spot for a game of pooh sticks if you have children. Instead, turn right to follow the path that leads between the river’s edge and a stone wall. It can be muddy here following wet weather. After a short distance you will come to a wooden gate that you will need to go through.
The Kissing Gate
The Kissing Gate
Once you are through the gate you will be in a small open field. You will be able to see if there are any grazing sheep here, and if so, dogs will need to be put back on the lead. Directly ahead of you at the top of the slope you will see some farm buildings, which is where you need to head to. At the top of the field there is a black metal kissing gate. Again, if you have a pushchair you will probably need to collapse it and carry it through here. The gate leads back onto the road.
Return to the Car Park and Nether Wasdale
The Road Along Wastwater
Once through the gate turn right on the road. This will take you back to the start point. Dogs will need to be kept on a lead here. Alternatively you could choose to walk to Nether Wasdale by turning left, and the village is approximately one mile away. There are two pubs in Nether Wasdale. The Screes Inn will accept dogs in the bar but is not child friendly. It serves hot food in the evenings, but does not offer lunches. Directly opposite, The Strands Inn is also a micro brewery and serves lunches and evening meals every day. It has a children’s menu, baby changing facilities, and welcomes dogs and walkers with muddy boots into the bar area.