Tag: Elterwater

Trollers Gill and Grimwith Reservoir – A beginner’s gill scramble in the Yorkshire Dales

Trollers Ghyll (or Trollers Gill) is a narrow limestone gorge in the Yorkshire Dales, England, near the village of Appletreewick. The ghyll (a Northern English term for a steep valley or ravine) has a mysterious reputation tied to local folk
The gorge is said to be haunted by trolls, hence its name. According to legend, it is home to a fearsome barghest—a supernatural black dog with glowing red eyes, often associated with death and misfortune. Some stories also link the ghyll to mythical goblins and other eerie creatures, adding to its reputation as a place of mystery.
This walk will take you on a 10.5 miles hike from Grimwith Reservoir with some scrambling in the Ghyll. It is ideal for those who are learning to find their feet on rocky and uneven terrain as well as the most seasoned hikers as the views are maginificient.

Stats

Difficulty	Moderate+
Length	10.7 mi – 17.2 km
Total elevation	1,394 ft – 425m
Highest point	1,211 ft – 369m
Walking time	4h10
Terrain	mostly hiking paths, river, and Footpath
Equipment	Good boots, it can get muddy in Places and you will also be walking on the river’s bed-rock The water may be high in places. Enough water to last you for 4 hours. Plenty of snacks as there are no facilities en route. a good map or gPS

View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)

Send me a message on social media or email to request the GPX file, AllTrails or other apps.
Click here for Komoot Link

Getting there

Driving: Free car-parking at Grimwith Reservoir – You could also start the walk at Stump Cross Caverns to start and/or finish with their cafes
Public transport:
Unfortunately, this walk is not accessible by public transport

Watering Holes

Cafe at Stumpcross Cavern – c. Mid-way if starting at Grimwith or at start / finish if you opt to start from there
A very cosy licensed cafe with a view .
It produces its own ale and bitter. Also a great place to stop for cake, sandwiches, soup or coffee.
Beer garden for the summer and cosy fireplace in winter.
Open Wed-Sun from 10:00-17:00 (18:00 on Sat & Sun)

Make a week-end of it – Where to stay and eat

This walk is ideally placed in a beautiful part of the Yorkshire Dales where you will find plenty of other walking routes.
And close to some of the prettiest villages in the Yorkshire Dales: Grassington, Burnsall, Appletreewick etc.

For camping and glamping: Howgill Lodge
It offers 4 luxurious and romantic log-cabins with wood-fired private hot-tubs and magnificent views from their private patio area.
Of course all lodges comes with full ensuite bathroom and kitchen.
47 Grass tent pitches with or without electric hookups.
And 19 gravel pitches for motorhomes and caravans with electric hookup.
An award winning campsite. With outstanding shower facilities,
The farm is also home some alpacas. And close to two excellent pubs

For a romantic experience: Howgill Lodge wood cabins

For self-catering options: 4 Skyreholme Mill Cottage
It accommodates 6 in 3 bedrooms (King, double and twin)
2 nights minimum booking

For a cosy stay: Orchard House B&B – Hebden
A small B&B in the village of Hebden. They have a double with private bathroom and an ensuite twin room.
Reasonably priced for the area. It is a peaceful place where you can escape everyone and everything.
And Hebden has a cracking village pub.

For a luxurious experience: The Devonshire Fell Hotel – Burnsall
A 4 star luxury hotel in the beautiful village of Burnsall.
The restaurant serves exceptional food.

February 1, 2025

Lingmoor Fell – An easy Wainwright with a pint and phenomenal views – Cumbria

Lingmoor Fell, although quite low offers some of the best views in the Lake District. It includes the Coniston range with the distinctive Wetherlam and the iconic Langdale Pikes.
It is an isolated fell, and as we were in Elterwater, we did it as a quick up and down.
But you could use another route to include fat-man squeeze and/or Blea Tarn.
It doesn’t require any technical skills but as there are an array of paths at the start, do not forget your map or GPS. The actual summit is also known as Brown Howe.
The Langdales are at the heart of Lake District and simply paradise for walking, hiking, cycling or climbing. You can easily make a week-end of it. But don’t expect the facilities of Ambleside or Keswick.

Stats

Difficulty	Moderate
Length	5.5 mi – 8.8 km
Total elevation	1,460 ft – 445m
Highest point	1,538 ft – 469m
Walking time	3h00
Terrain	mostly hiking paths, footpath and road
Equipment	Good shoes, it can get muddy in places. Enough water to last you for 3 hours. Plenty of snacks as there are no facilities en route. a good map or gPS

View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)

Lingmoor Fell is an isolated fell, and as we were in Elterwater, we did it as a quick up and down.
But you could use another route to include fat-man squeeze and/or Blea Tarn.
It doesn't require any technical skills but as there are an array of paths at the start, do not forget your map or GPS. The actual summit is also known as Brown Howe. — Send me a message on social media or email to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link

Getting there

Driving: There are a few laybys (Free) outside Elterwater but do get there early
Public transport:
From Preston: Train to Oxenholme then train to Windermere then bus to the Britannia Inn (c. 1h50)
From Lancaster: Train to Oxenholme then train to Windermere then bus to the Britannia Inn (c. 1h40)
From Carlisle: Train to Oxenholme then train to Windermere then bus to the Britannia Inn (c. 2hrs)

Watering Holes

The Britannia Inn – Elterwater – at the end of the walk.
A cosy and traditional Cumbrian pub and Inn. Muddy boots and paws are welcome and there.
Outdoor seating in the summer and roaring fireplace in the winter
The food is rustic and uses fresh local produce, I particularly like the minted South Lakes lamb Henry. They offer no less than 6 kinds of Cumbrian ales.
The kitchen is open from 12:00 to 14:00 for lunch, 14:00-16:00 for soups and sandwiches and 17:30-20:30 for supper every-day.
Lanty Slee – Elterwater
Not technically on the route but a few steps outside the village.
Fuel up with a full English breakfast before the walk (Opens at 10 am).
Or if pub grub and ale are not your thing; you will find a selection of fine wines and spirits as well as a tapas menu as well as American fayre (12:00-21:00)
The Eltermere Inn – Elterwater
For a traditional finer dining experience or a delicious Sunday roast. It also offers some pub classics and everything is made from fresh, local ingredients/
It remains a traditional Cumbrian Inn and welcomes muddy boots and paws.
With outdoor seating in the summer and roaring wood-fire in the winter.

Make a week-end of it – Where to stay and eat

Elterwater is a great base to visit the Langdale Valley. Wether you are into walking, hiking, cycling or climbing you won’t be short of activities to do in the area.
The village has a pub and a cocktail bar as well as a range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.
But do not expect facilities you would find in Ambleside or Keswick. This is the perfect destination for outdoor pursuits; not for shopping or pub crawling.

For self-catering options: There is a range of cottages in Elterwater and Chapel Stile to accommodate various budgets, styles and size. I am happy to make recommendations by email.

For the budget conscious: The YHA has sold its property but the new owners kept it as a hostel.
With private and shared room for 2 to 6 people, it has 38 beds in total.
A self-catering kitchen, cosy lounge, drying room, lockable cycle storage, electric bike charging and bike washing facilities.
You don’t have to self-cater as the hostel also offers: full English breakfast, packed lunches and home-made suppers using fresh and locally sourced ingredients.
The hostel can also be booked as a venue for full use; starting with 10 people in winter.

For a cosy stay: The Britannia Inn – Elterwater
The Inn has ensuite double and twin rooms and rooms with external bathrooms.
Part of the family run pub, this would make a lovely cosy stay in the heart of the Langdales.

For a romantic experience: The Eltermere Inn – Elterwater
Offers a dozen bedrooms all individually furnished and ranging from Super Luxury to cosy rooms.
Starting at just over £150 per double room on a B&B basis, this is not bad value for the area.
But week-end stays are 2 nights minimum.
With a bar and on-site dining room, the menu is a mix of pub-classics and finer dining. All prepared with fresh and local ingredients.

For a luxurious and spa experience:
Elterwater has two 4 star spa hotels.
I have not visited them and will let you do your own research.

For large group and charities: Weirside
This is a large self-catering and self-cleaning cottage.
Accommodates 20 people in 2 dorms.
And works out at £10 to £15 per person per night.
Its goal is to provides a place to focus on personal and social growth, whether as a retreat, working with young people on leadership or team building, or as a place to reflect on our own ability to influence the common good in the communities from which we come.

January 18, 2025

Great and Little Langdale – A low level Lake District walk with 4 pubs, 1 swim and a Cathedral

About 11 miles of stunning scenery in the Lake Districts. Low-level walk from Elterwater via The New Dungeon Ghyll and Old Dungeon Ghyll, Blea Tarn, Cathedral Cave and Little Langdale. 4 pubs along the route, Blea Tarn is perfect for a swim and Cathedral Cave a unique place to explore.

Stats

Difficulty	Moderate to strenuous (Distance and total elevation)
Length	11 mi – 17.7 km
Total elevation	2,785 ft – 849m
Highest point	1,109 ft – 338m
Walking time	2h40
Terrain	Paths, roads and footpaths
Equipment	No technical sections on this walk but you will need closed shoes or boots to keep you comfortable for 11 miles ! If you like to swim, don’t forget your swimsuit and towel for Blea Tarn

View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)

Getting there

Driving: There are 3 car parks in Elterwater but all fee-paying. But there is a free car park at Stickle Ghyll
Public transport:
From Preston: X8 bus to Ambleside Interchange then bus 516 to Dungeon Ghyll (c. 1h55)
Contact me for other routes

Watering Holes

The Walkers Bar at the New Dungeon Ghyll – Langdale – c. 2.7 mi into the walk (c. 1h15 mins)
Belongs to the Red Cat Pub company.
Muddy boots and paws friendly.Has a beer garden for the summer and open fire in winter
Excellent ales. and the food is locally sourced. Gastro-pub rather than classics.
The kitchen is open all day Friday and Saturday from 12:00-21:00 and Sunday 12:00-20:00. Check the website of FB page for weekdays opening hours.
The Climber’s bar at the Old Dungeon Ghyll – Great Langdale – c. 3.4 mi into the walk (c. 1h30 mins)
The Original Inn the Langdale Valley, has hosted an array of Everest Climbers on their training and still family owned.
Without a doubt, my favorite in the area. Muddy boots and paws are more than welcome.
If you are looking for luxury, do not stop. But walkers, hikers, mountaineers, fell-runners and any other hard-core outdoors enthusiasts will alway feel at home (and be welcome as much)
Some outdoors seating in the summer and roaring open-fire in the winter.
The food is home-cooked and very fairly priced. Soup and sandwiches for lunch (12:30-17:00) and pub classics, including excellent pies for supper (17:00-20:00 Sun to Thurs and till 20:30 Fri & Sat)
As the owner is a keen musician; there are open session every Wednesday at 19:30
The Three Shires Inn – Little Langdale – c. 8.6 mi into the walk (c. 3h55 mins)
An independent traditional Inn. Muddy boots and paws are welcome.
Outdoor seating for the summer and roaring fireplace in the winter,
Good selection of ales from Cumbria and food made with local produce.
The kitchen is open 12:00-14:30 and 17:30-20:00
Expect sandwiches and pub-classics at lunch and gastro-pub type dishes in the evening.
The Britannia Inn – Eltermere – At the end of the walk
A wonderful family run traditional Inn. Welcoming muddy boots and paws.
Cask Mark ales and delicious home-made food.
Beer garden for the summer and roaring open fires in winter.
Kitchen is open from 12:00-14:00, Soup and Sandwiches 14:00-16:00 and dinner 17:30-20:30

Make a week-end of it

The Langdales are in the very centre of the Lake Districts.
Unlike Ambleside or Keswick, you won’t find a wide range of shops and restaurants.
But still plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy for a full week-end.
Needless to say, there are numerous walks from low level to mountain hikes taking in Harrison Stickle, Pavey Ark or Crinkle Crags.
But there also are disused quarries with caves; the most famous being Cathedral Cave. And plenty of good spots for wild swimming. Blea tarn is easily accessible and if you want to climb up; Stickle tarn is a wonderful place to take a dip.

For the budget conscious: Eltewater Hostel in Elterwater has shared dorms and private rooms.
It only sleeps 38 people in total. And can be booked as a group.
Should the weather let you down; there is a drying room.
It offers both breakfast and home-cooked evening meals as well as a self-catering kitchen.
And being so close to town; there are a couple of pubs within walking distance.

For comfort: The Old Dungeon Ghyll in Great Langdale
My favorite hotel in the whole of the Lake District area. A family run business with Olde Worlde character.
The rooms are very cosy and some have amazing views. Each room is different but not all rooms are ensuite.
Breakfast is always included in the price. And I am told that it now has has super-fast wifi. (The last time I was there, the wifi was very spotty and the phone signal in the Valley is mostly non-existent.
Dogs are welcome to stay for a small supplement.
For food and drinks, check the details in the section above. Again, one of my favorite but best suited for outdoor enthusiast (with a plus if you enjoy music) than someone looking for luxury and glamour.

For Camping: Great Langdale Campsite offers grass pitches for tents, hardstanding pitches with electric hookups for camper vans and Owned by the National Trust, it is family friendly and well equipped.

For groups: The Great Langdale Bunkhouse – behind the New Dungeon Ghyll
Sleeps 18 divided into 3 twin rooms and two rooms of 6 (all bunk beds).
Equipped with biomass central heating and hot water with powerful showers.
Separate male and female shows and toilet facilities.
There are no self-catering options but a tavern, the New Dungeon Ghyll and Stickle Barn on its doorstep.

August 13, 2024