Traveller's Guide to the South and Central Lakes

20 Skelwith Bridge to Elterwater Walk or Cycle Leave the traffic and crowds behind to discover the glaciated valley of Langdale. Follow the riverside path of the Cumbria Way to tranquil tarns and rushing waterfalls. Start/Finish: Bus stop in front of the Skelwith Hotel Distance: 3.2 miles (5km) return Time: 3 hours Height gain: 130m Grade: Easy Terrain: Well way marked valley bottom track Refreshments: Skelwith Bridge and Elterwater Maps: OS Landranger 90, OS Explorer OL 7; Walk down the side of the road from the bus stop (be careful on the roads) and head towards Chesters by the River. Head towards the café and you will pick up the public footpath signs for the Cumbria Way. Follow the footpath down by the river. Look out for the dramatic Skelwith Force on your left, before you meet a beautiful wrought iron bridge known as the Trevor Woodburn Memorial Bridge. Here the route 37 cycleway joins the path. Continue straight ahead, through the gate, into open meadow. The path continues to follow the river until it opens out into Elter Water. “Elter” is the Norse word for swan, and this reedy water is still home to swans and many other birds. Follow the path straight on and you will shortly arrive at Elterwater the village. From here you can either retrace your outward route, going downstream this time or catch the Langdale Rambler back to the start. The bus stop is on the village green outside the Britannia Inn, you could even pop in for some refreshments whilst you wait. Alternatively, for a longer route, you can continue on the Cumbria Way through to Chapel Stile or Dungeon Ghyll and catch the bus back from there. Elterwater Chapel Stile Skelwith Bridge BLEA TARN ELTER WATER G R E A T L A N G D A L E Dungeon Ghyll