Home › Collections › Walks from Elterwater

Walks from Elterwater

33 routes and 10 fells within about 5 km of Elterwater, nearest first. Four walks start within 1 km of the village, among them Elterwater & Skelwith Force (7.6 km) and Lingmoor Fell from Elterwater (11.51 km). Each fell carries today’s conditions and the bus where there is one. Planning the trip? See the full Elterwater guide for parking, buses and where to stay.

Starting in Elterwater

Four routes start within 1 km of the centre of Elterwater in a straight line, nearer Elterwater than any other village.

Effort is the size of the day, from the distance and the climb; each route’s own page grades the steepness, navigation, exposure and ground underfoot, and names the hardest.

• Elterwater & Skelwith Force →Start 0 km away7.6 km~164 m~1¾–2½ hModerate: navigation🏞️ Easy & familyPlannedPark: Elterwater (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startA riverside walk from pretty Elterwater past Skelwith Force to the reedy shores of Elter Water, with the Langdale Pikes filling the skyline — gentle, varied and largely level.
• Lingmoor Fell from Elterwater →Start 0 km away11.51 km~489 m~3–4¼ hModerate effort Moderate: distance, steepness, terrain, navigation and exposurePlannedPark: Elterwater (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startThe best low fell in Langdale, and the one that shows you the valley properly. Lingmoor sits between Great and Little Langdale, so the Pikes rear up across the dale in front of you the whole way along the ridge. Side Pike at the far end throws in a famous rock squeeze. Half the effort of the big Langdale rounds and arguably a better view of them.
• Loughrigg Tarn & Loughrigg Fell →Start 0.1 km away9.75 km~382 m~2½–3½ hModerate effort Severe: steepnessPlannedPark: Elterwater (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startA big little walk: the classic loop taking in reed-fringed Loughrigg Tarn and the knobbly top of Loughrigg Fell, with one of the finest low-level views in the Lakes — Windermere, Grasmere and the Langdale Pikes all at once. Under 400 m of climb but one short, steep descent of about 46% over 250 m, endlessly varied, and grand for dogs.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest descent, about 46% over 250 m.
• Elterwater riverside loop →Start 0.1 km away4.25 km~91 m~1–1½ hModerate: terrain🏞️ Easy & familyPlannedPark: Elterwater (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startA short loop from Elterwater village, partly beside Great Langdale Beck — easy, pretty and quick, with the Langdale Pikes ahead. A gentle leg-stretch or a lazy family afternoon.

More walking routes within about 5 km

• Slater Bridge & Cathedral Cave →Start 1.8 km away2.2 km~92 m~½–1 hModerate: navigation🏞️ Easy & familyPlannedBus: 516, 2.2 km walk from Elterwater, opposite The Britannia InnA short loop from Little Langdale over the slate Slater Bridge and up to Cathedral Quarry, a disused slate quarry on National Trust land. The Trust warns of unprotected sheer drops, deep water and a chance of rockfall at the quarry, and asks visitors to bring a torch. The Trust says there is no parking at the quarry itself; this walk starts beside the Three Shires Inn, whose car park is for its customers. Uneven, rocky ground in places.
• West of Grasmere →Start 2.7 km away15.44 km~863 m~4½–6¼ hHard effort Hard: distanceWalked March 2025Park: Red Bank Road, Grasmere (W&F, paid) · Bus: 555, 320 m walk from Grasmere, opposite Heaton Cooper StudioSix tops on the rough ground west of Grasmere — Tarn Crag, Codale Head, Sergeant Man, Blea Rigg, Swinescar Pike and Silver How — in 15.4 km with 863 m of climbing. Hard for length, moderate for steepness; about 4½–6¼ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the distance; the steepest sustained climb, about 24%. Terrain: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• Grasmere to Easdale Tarn →Start 2.7 km away9.52 km~237 m~2¼–3¼ hModerate effort Moderate: distance, steepness, terrain and navigation🏞️ Easy & familyWalked June 2024Out and back · Park: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startA valley walk from Grasmere village up Easdale to its tarn, ringed by crags: 9.5 km and 237 m, with no summits. The path climbs beside Sourmilk Gill, and the becks rise fast in spate, so take care at the crossings. The ground round the tarn is boggy and rougher; elsewhere it is good paths and lanes, muddy in places. If you bring a dog, keep it close near sheep.Terrain: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 24 September 2026.
• Grasmere lake circuit →Start 2.7 km away5.67 km~95 m~1¼–1¾ hModerate: navigation🏞️ Easy & familyPlannedPark: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startA gentle circuit of Grasmere lake from the village — easy field paths along the eastern shore and undulating woodland on the west, with the fells reflected in the water and Wordsworth's Grasmere all around. About 3½ miles, almost no climbing.
• Helm Crag & Far Easedale →Start 2.7 km away15.93 km~870 m~4½–6¼ hHard effort Hard: distance and steepnessWalked January 2025Park: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startFrom Grasmere along the ridge above Far Easedale — Helm Crag's rocky top first, then Gibson Knott and Calf Crag — and round the head of Greenburn to Steel Fell. A long day at 15.9 km, and the head of Easedale can be vague in cloud.Navigation: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• Silver How from Grasmere →Start 2.7 km away5.06 km~311 m~1½–2¼ hEasy effort Hard: steepnessWalked in partPark: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startA loop of about 5.1 km from the middle of Grasmere with about 310 m of climbing: out through the village and up public footpaths onto Silver How, then down the steep Grasmere side of the fell and back into the village along Red Bank Road.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 28%.
• Castle How & Lang How - Birketts →Start 2.7 km away10.91 km~490 m~3–4 hModerate effort Hard: steepness and navigationWalked in partPark: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startLang How, Swinescar Pike and Castle How on the knolly ground above Grasmere — 10.9 km and 490 m, stages averaging about 10% with a 33% descent over 250 m, and rated hard to navigate among the hummocks. Just about 3–4 hours.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest descent, about 33% over 250 m. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• Stone Arthur from Grasmere →Start 2.7 km away6.82 km~528 m~2¼–3 hModerate effort Hard: steepnessWalked July 2023Out and back · Park: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startThe steep little top above Grasmere, out and back in 6.8 km with 528 m of climbing. Easy for length, navigation and exposure — it is the gradient that makes it, rated hard. About 2¼–3 hours.Measured from the GPX track: the distance; the steepest sustained climb, about 27%. Exposure and navigation: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, Calf Crag, Steel Fell and Tarn Crag →Start 2.7 km away20.82 km~950 m~5¾–7¾ hHard effort Severe: distanceWalked June 2024Park: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startThe full Far Easedale horseshoe from Grasmere, and a longer, wetter day than Helm Crag alone suggests. The true summit — the Howitzer — needs an exposed scramble, and beyond Gibson Knott the ground turns to peat hags and bog that stay wet in all seasons, with Brownrigg Moss the hardest crossing of the day.Exposure and terrain: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• Alcock Tarn from Grasmere →Start 3.2 km away4.48 km~320 m~1¼–2 hEasy effort Severe: steepnessPlannedPark: Broadgate Meadow car park, Grasmere (paid) · Bus: 555 at the startA short, steep loop of about 4.5 km from Grasmere to Alcock Tarn, with about 320 m of climbing: out of the village over the River Rothay and Greenhead Gill, along the hillside on a permissive path, steeply up to the tarn, and down a public footpath to Greenhead Gill and back into the village.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 36%.
• Side Pike and Brown How from Blea Tarn →Start 3.3 km away4.6 km~311 m~1¼–2 hEasy effort Hard: steepnessPlannedPark: Blea Tarn (NT, paid) · Bus: 516, 2.4 km walk from Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
• Blea Tarn (Little Langdale) →Start 3.3 km away2.66 km~34 m~½–1 hEasy: distance, steepness, terrain, navigation and exposure🏞️ Easy & familyWalked May 2024Park: Blea Tarn (NT, paid) · Bus: 516, 2.4 km walk from Old Dungeon Ghyll HotelA short, lovely loop around little Blea Tarn, with the classic view of the Langdale Pikes mirrored in the water — one of the most photographed scenes in the Lakes for very little effort.
• Langdale Horseshoe →Start 3.7 km away20.9 km~1770 m~7–9½ hSevere effort Severe: distance and steepnessPlannedPark: Stickle Ghyll (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startThe full Langdale Horseshoe — fifteen tops and 1,770 m of ascent. The Langdale Pikes, Bowfell, the whole Crinkle Crags ridge and Pike of Blisco in a single round. It is long, rough, and the Crinkles will try to lead you down the wrong side. Do not start it late.Terrain: our judgement from the map and the route’s record; not walked yet.
• Langdale Pikes Round →Start 3.7 km away12.12 km~884 m~3¾–5¼ hModerate effort Severe: steepnessWalked June 2024Park: New Dungeon Ghyll (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startA grand round of the Langdale Pikes and the fells behind them. From Great Langdale it climbs past Stickle Tarn to Sergeant Man, loops over High Raise and Thunacar Knott, then takes in Pavey Ark (by the walkers' line, not Jack's Rake), Harrison Stickle, Pike of Stickle and Loft Crag before dropping back to the valley. It's a simpler line than my previous version, which added Blea Rigg — boggy on the approach from Sergeant Man. Handily, there are toilets at the car park at the end.Hazard notes checked by Lee McCoy: Sergeant Man (14 June 2026), High Raise (High White Stones) (14 June 2026), Thunacar Knott (14 June 2026) and 4 more; they draw on Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team.
• Stickle Tarn from New Dungeon Ghyll →Start 3.7 km away3.75 km~397 m~1¼–2 hEasy effort Severe: steepnessWalked June 2024Park: Stickle Ghyll (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startA short, steep loop of about 3.75 km from New Dungeon Ghyll in Great Langdale to Stickle Tarn, under Pavey Ark, with about 400 m of climbing: up beside Stickle Ghyll to the tarn, and back down by a different path, crossing Mill Gill and Stickle Ghyll on footbridges near the end.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 37%.
• Rydal Water & Rydal Caves →Start 3.8 km away6.46 km~216 m~1½–2¼ hModerate: steepness and navigation🏞️ Easy & familyWalked May 2023Park: Pelter Bridge, Rydal (paid) · Bus: 555, 2.3 km walk from Rydal, at White Moss CommonA 6.46 km loop round Rydal Water from Pelter Bridge, with a short there-and-back to Rydal Cave above the south shore and the Coffin Route home under Nab Scar. Low-level, with one short rougher stretch near the cave. The 555 stops beside the loop at White Moss Common, and the route map and GPX are further down.
• Fairfield Horseshoe →Start 3.9 km away16.92 km~1009 m~5–6¾ hHard effort Hard: distance, steepness, navigation and exposureWalked April 2023Park: Pelter Bridge, Rydal (paid) · Bus: 555, 2.3 km walk from Rydal, at White Moss CommonOne of the classic Lakeland rounds and a fine first big horseshoe. From the car park at Rydal it's a steady climb, hard rather than moderate on the pull out of Rydal (about 30% at its steepest), with only a minor amount of scrambling — my kids, then 7 and 10, managed it, though they found it a long day. You can easily start from Ambleside instead: stock up at the shops on the way out and finish at the Royal Oak for a well-earned pint. The full round takes in eight Wainwrights, nine tops with Heron Pike’s north top (a Birkett), with Fairfield's broad summit the high point and Windermere laid out behind you on the descent.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 30%; the steepest descent, about 30% over 250 m. Exposure: graded by Lee on the ground.
• Rossett Pike, Allen Crags, Great End and more →Start 4.3 km away17.95 km~1212 m~5½–7½ hSevere effort Hard: distance and steepnessPlannedPark: Old Dungeon Ghyll (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startA five-summit traverse of the high central ground, taking in Rossett Pike, Allen Crags, Great End, Esk Pike and Bowfell. The 1,212 m of ascent is spread over 17.9 km, but the steepest sustained descent is about 34% and the rock underfoot barely lets up. Around 5½–7½ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest descent, about 40% over 250 m. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• Esk Pike and Great End →Start 4.4 km away17.69 km~1103 m~5¼–7¼ hHard effort Hard: distance and steepnessPlannedPark: Old Dungeon Ghyll (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startEsk Pike and Great End, the two big tops at the head of Eskdale, reached by a 17.7 km round with 1,103 m of climbing. It is a long, rough mountain day with steep sections, the steepest about 29% on the way down around the 13.8 km mark, and both navigation and exposure are rated moderate. Allow around 5¼–7¼ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 29%. Exposure, terrain and navigation: our judgement from the map and the route’s record; not walked yet. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• The Tilberthwaite Birketts →Start 4.4 km away5.26 km~307 m~1½–2¼ hEasy effort Hard: steepness and navigationPlannedPark: Tilberthwaite (paid) · Bus: 505, 3.5 km walk from Monk Coniston, at HallA short loop of about 5.3 km from Low Tilberthwaite, with about 310 m of climbing: up the public footpath beside Tilberthwaite Gill, across open ground over four Birketts, Blake Rigg, Haystacks, Hawk Rigg and High Fell, then round below Great Intake and down by Blake Rigg Gill.
• Crinkle Crags, Cold Pike, Pike of Blisco →Start 4.4 km away13.78 km~1025 m~4¼–6 hHard effort Hard: steepnessPlannedPark: Old Dungeon Ghyll (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the start
• Wetherlam by Birk Fell →Start 4.4 km away8.22 km~633 m~2½–3¾ hModerate effort Severe: steepnessPlannedPark: Tilberthwaite (paid) · Bus: 505, 3.5 km walk from Monk Coniston, at HallA loop of about 8.2 km from Low Tilberthwaite, with about 630 m of climbing: on to Birk Fell, steeply up beside Wetherlam Edge to the top of Wetherlam, down the broad ridge to the south, and back to Low Tilberthwaite by the path beside Tilberthwaite Gill.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 39%.
• The Old Dungeon Ghyll Pub Walk (Great Langdale) →Start 4.4 km away6.61 km~106 m~1½–2 hModerate: navigation🏞️ Easy & familyPlannedPark: Old Dungeon Ghyll (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startAn easy, near-level loop of the Great Langdale valley floor from the Old Dungeon Ghyll, walked entirely beneath the Langdale Pikes — Pike o' Stickle and Harrison Stickle rearing up on one side, Bowfell and the Band on the other. Barely a hundred metres of up-and-down across 6.6 km, so it's a proper leg-stretch with all of the drama and almost none of the grind — and it begins and ends at the pub.
• The Royal Oak Pub Walk (Ambleside) →Start 4.7 km away5.94 km~68 m~1¼–1¾ hEasy: distance, steepness, terrain, navigation and exposure🏞️ Easy & familyPlannedPark: Ambleside, Rydal Road (paid) · Bus: 555 at the startAn easy, near-level amble from the heart of Ambleside out along the River Rothay and back — parkland, riverbank and quiet lanes beneath the wooded flanks of Loughrigg, with barely 70 m of climbing across 6 km. A gentle leg-stretch to bookend lunch at the Royal Oak.
• Loughrigg Terrace & Rydal Water →Start 4.8 km away10.71 km~288 m~2½–3½ hModerate effort Moderate: distance and navigation🏞️ Easy & familyWalked in partPark: Ambleside, Rydal Road (paid) · Bus: 555, 1.6 km walk from Ambleside, at Scandale BridgeA terrace walk from Ambleside over Loughrigg's southern slopes to the famous Loughrigg Terrace view down Grasmere, then past Rydal Cave and back under Loughrigg. Easy-moderate, with a little climbing and some rougher ground.
• Ambleside, Todd Crag, Rydal Cave →Start 4.8 km away10.38 km~394 m~2½–3¾ hModerate effort Hard: steepnessWalked in partPark: Ambleside, Market Place (4 on-street bays) · Bus: 555 at the startThe classic Ambleside circuit of Loughrigg Fell — up through Rothay Park and over Todd Crag past Lily Tarn, across the undulating top to the summit trig point, then down to Loughrigg Terrace above Grasmere and back along the fell's flank via Rydal Cave. Low in height, big in views, and the best-value 10 km in the central Lakes.
• Ambleside to Rydal, with Refreshments and Stepping Stones →Start 4.8 km away6.21 km~78 m~1¼–2 hEasy: distance, steepness, terrain and navigation🏞️ Easy & familyWalked in partOut and back · Park: Ambleside, Market Place (4 on-street bays) · Bus: 555 at the startAn out-and-back of about 6.2 km from Ambleside to Rydal along Under Loughrigg Road, the lane on the far side of the River Rothay from the main road. Cross Miller Bridge, pass the stepping stones over the river without crossing them, cross at Pelter Bridge into Rydal, where Rydal Hall’s Old School Room Tea Shop is mapped just off the line, and come back along the lane. Almost all surfaced lane and bridleway, with about 80 m of climbing.
• Stock Ghyll Force →Start 4.9 km away1.92 km~89 m~½–¾ hModerate: navigation🏞️ Easy & familyWalked April 2026Park: Ambleside, King Street (paid) · Bus: 555, 810 m walk from Ambleside, at Hayes Garden CentreA short woodland loop from the middle of Ambleside to the 70-foot Stock Ghyll Force in its steep-sided gorge — at its thundering best after rain, and easily tacked on to a town visit.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 12%.
• Ambleside over Miller Bridge →Start 5 km away3.16 km~162 m~¾–1¼ hEasy: distance, steepness and navigation🏞️ Easy & familyWalked April 2023One-way: finishes at Pine Rigg · Start: Ambleside, Low Fold (paid) · Bus: 555, 350 m walk from Ambleside, at Hayes Garden CentreA short one-way walk of about 3.2 km from the centre of Ambleside, across the River Rothay at Miller Bridge and up the bridleway towards Loughrigg, finishing near Pine Rigg. Town pavements, then a surfaced lane and a compacted bridleway, with about 160 m of climbing. Lee walked it with family and a pram in April 2023.

Fells within about 5 km

• Silver How →1.9 km away394 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusMarginal · 53 · rated on 27 OctoberDrySilver How at 394m (1,292ft) is a delightful, rocky little summit above Grasmere and Chapel Stile, its summit giving one of the finest views of Grasmere and the surrounding fells from any low-level viewpoint in the district.
• Loughrigg Fell →1.9 km away335 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusMarginal · 40 · rated on 27 OctoberSummit likely clagged inLoughrigg Fell at 335m (1,099ft) is one of the most beloved and visited fells in the Lake District, a complex heathery mass rising between Ambleside, Grasmere and Elterwater.
• Lingmoor Fell (Brown How) →2.5 km away470 m~2½–3 h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsLingmoor Fell at 470m (1,542ft) is a heathery ridge between Great Langdale and Little Langdale, its summit giving one of the finest aerial views of Great Langdale available from any low fell.
• Black Fell →3.4 km away323 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusDecent · 68 · rated on 27 OctoberDry, firm underfootBlack Fell at 323m (1,060ft) is a small, heathery summit above Tarn Hows, its top giving fine views of this most popular of Lakeland beauty spots.
• Nab Scar →3.7 km away450 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusMarginal · 54 · rated on 27 OctoberDryNab Scar at 450m (1,476ft) is the steep, rocky escarpment directly above Rydal Water.
• Blea Rigg →4 km away542 m~4¼–5½ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsBlea Rigg at 542m (1,777ft) is a craggy, complex ridge above Easedale and Langdale, giving excellent views down into Great Langdale from its rocky summit.
• Holme Fell →4.4 km away316 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusDecent · 66 · rated on 27 OctoberDry, firm underfootHolme Fell at 316m (1,036ft) is a delightful, craggy little summit above Yewdale near Coniston, its rocky outcrops of Uskdale Gap and Ivy Crag providing surprisingly varied and interesting walking for such a modest height.
• Heron Pike (Rydal) →4.5 km away612 m~4¾–6 h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsHeron Pike at 612m (2,008ft) is near the southern end of the Fairfield Horseshoe ridge above Rydal, its rocky summit giving excellent views across Windermere and south to Morecambe Bay.
• Helm Crag →4.5 km away405 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsHelm Crag at 405m (1,329ft) is one of the most famous and distinctive summits in Lakeland — the jagged, rocky outline known as 'The Lion and the Lamb' visible from Grasmere below.
• Stone Arthur →4.8 km away504 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsStone Arthur at 504m (1,654ft) is a craggy rock outcrop on the ridge above Grasmere, its small but distinctive summit giving one of the finest low-level views over Grasmere and Rydal Water in the whole district.

2 of the fells here are rated good to climb on 27 October — see live conditions →
A prediction from our daily fell score, not a guarantee — always check the mountain forecast before you go. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (opens in new tab).

Distances are straight-line from the centre of Elterwater — ‘within ~5 km’ means as the crow flies, not that the walk necessarily starts there. Always plan your own route and check the bus before you travel.