The Langdale Valley may need no introduction: one of the most popular (and beautiful) locations in the entire Lake District. Wherever you are in Langdale, the views are immense, and only get better as you journey down the valley. Small, knobbly hills such as Lingmoor and Silver How rise to the gnarly grandeur of Crinkle Crags and looming Bowfell, via the intriguing Langdale Pikes. This run takes you into the valley from Elterwater at low level, mainly using the Cumbria Way which comprises some track and some rocky path with a more fell-like character. From Oak Howe onwards the view of the Pikes opens up ahead until finally at New Dungeon Ghyll you can see the entire end of the horseshoe. At that point you’ll have to turn your back on the big stuff and return along the valley on lovely tracks and paths through woodland – perhaps inspired to come back another day and explore some of those peaks.
Distance: 10.1km
Elevation: 178m
Highest point: 128m
Time: 1 – 1.5 hours
Parking: National Trust car park, Elterwater
Public transport: 516 bus from Ambleside (a few buses extend to Kendal, but all connect with the 555 in Ambleside).
Terrain: 21% road, 56% track, 23% path, 0% fell
Route GPX: click here
1. From the National Trust car park in Elterwater, turn left onto the road, cross the bridge and turn immediately right onto a smaller road. Continue on this for 400m until ‘footpath’ signs guide you down a gravel path to the right.
2. This path continues alongside the river for 300m. When the main path swings left, continue ahead up a small rock step to reach a footbridge. Cross this and go through to reach the main road.
3. Turn left onto the road and run past the Wainwrights pub, then turn left onto a stony track. This track bends to the right to take you past the back of Langdale Primary School, turning into a tarmac drive. Pass the buildings and go through a small gate onto a walled path.
4. After 100m the path exits onto a track, follow this to the left, over a bridge and a cattle grid. The track bends immediately right to pass through the Baysbrown Campsite. This good (partially concreted) track continues through fields for 1km.
5. On reaching a bridge to your right, do not cross this, but follow the track as it bends to the left, past Oak Howe farm. Immediately after the buildings, at a three way junction, follow the sign for Old Dungeon Ghyll onto a path which becomes stonier underfoot. After 1.2km on this path, a gate leads to a shallow, mainly pitched descent towards Side Farm.
6. Cross the small footbridge towards the farm and follow the farm track out across the beck towards the road. At the road, turn right and run for 150m to reach a small car park at the right – go through this to access another track.
7. This flat, well surfaced track carries you back in the direction you have come; continue for 1.6km until a junction shortly before the road. Go right here, passing through first a single, then a distinctive double gate, then a further gate to reach another track across fields. Turn right on this and continue to reach the bridge that you didn’t cross earlier.
8. Cross the bridge, turn right, and briefly re-cover earlier ground to return to Oak Howe Farm. This time, at the path junction, take the left option.
9. This good path undulates through woodland for 1.2km before reaching Baysbrown farmyard. Go through the yard, exiting through a metal gate to a small road. The road continues through woodland for another 1.6km – ignore all paths and tracks left and right until eventually you reach a T junction almost opposite the Eltermere Hotel.
10. Turn left here and run down the road; in 250m you will reach the bridge you crossed at the very start of the run; cross this to return to the car park.
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