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.
Peregrinating the North West and Beyond 