A waterfall walk through Eskdale
ESKDALE, CUMBRIA
WALK DETAILS
Start/finish: Dalegarth for Boot Rail Station, Eskdale, CA19 1TF
Distance: 3.5 miles (5.6km)
Difficulty: 4/5
Public transport: Train to Ravenglass then catch the La’al Ratty to Boot
Lying on the remote western edge of the Lake District, at the foot of the winding Hardknott Pass and the south-western flanks of Scafell, Eskdale remains relatively undiscovered yet is a perfect place for family adventures. The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway connects the village of Boot, in the heart of Eskdale, with the coast using heritage steam engines. Built a little over 100 years ago, it’s one of the oldest and longest narrow-gauge railways in England, known affectionately as ‘La’al Ratty’, meaning ‘little railway’ in old Cumbrian dialect. The line is 7 miles (11.3km) long – a 40-minute journey through spectacular scenery, which means you’ll have plenty of time to explore Ravenglass before jumping back on the train for the return trip.
This walk takes you alongside the River Esk, which is dotted with spots for paddling over the warmer months, and with views across to the series of waterfalls that tumble off the higher fells. There’s a good path either side of the river so an out-and-back amble works well for younger children. The full loop heads into the more rugged terrain on the opposite side of the valley, offering yet more adventurous walking.
1 Turn left out of Dalegarth train station and follow the valley road 820 feet (250 metres) to a lane on the right. Turn right and follow the lane to St Catherine’s Church beside the River Esk. Turn left here and follow the footpath alongside the river. You can cross the river over the footbridge at Gill Force to walk on the opposite side and make a shorter loop.
2 Continue along the riverside path until you reach the road just west of the Woolpack Inn. Turn right on to the road and then left at the Inn, following footpath signs to the left of the buildings and up into the fells.
3 At the junction, bear left, heading back towards the road, but at the next junction, where the left option would take you to the road, stay right and carry on past a house on your right. Bear left at the next house and follow the footpath along the top of the campsite to reach a bridleway.
4 Turn left and cross the bridge into Boot, passing the pub and carrying straight on until you reach a T-junction. Turn right here to return to the station.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO NEARBY
The campsite at Eskdale is excellent and very family friendly.
Jump on a steam train to Ravenglass or follow the winding lanes around to beautiful Wasdale. There’s a cafe at Dalegarth train station and a decent, family- and dog-friendly pub, The Woolpack, at the halfway point of the walk.
Stanley Ghyll Force, a waterfall to the south of the valley, and Eel Tarn and Blea Tarn, both to the north, are all beautiful, peaceful places to visit and are within easy reach of Boot.