Stonethwaite
A handful of farms, an inn and a campsite on Stonethwaite Beck, up a side valley off Borrowdale, where the Langstrath walk and the Coast to Coast head into the fells. Camping here means Stonethwaite Farm & Campsite by the beck; anywhere else needs the landowner's permission.
Ready for your day: the walks from Stonethwaite, the tops above it, and the bus to the start.
Daylight on 27 October: sunrise 07:04, sunset 16:48
The tops Decent on Castle Crag and Great Crag (Stonethwaite), the best of the 6 fells nearest Stonethwaite verdicts for 27 October
Choose from all 15 walksExplore the map
A walk can have more than one way to its start. Verdicts: the site’s scorer reading the weather on each top, not whether a walk suits you. Daylight: worked out for the centre of Stonethwaite; a latest start assumes a steady pace and an hour in hand before dusk, a computed time, not a guarantee. How we check →
First light
The sun reaches the Stonethwaite start about 09:05 in October · sunrise 07:42
From the terrain around the start (Copernicus GLO-30), mid-month · how we work it outThe last bus
From Rosthwaite, opposite Longthwaite road end:
Towards Keswick (78): Tuesday to Sunday 20:03.
As timetabled from 27 October to 1 November · checked against the operator’s timetable, 7 September · the bus mapA day from Stonethwaite
On the fells
Verdicts for 27 October, lowest fell first:
- Castle Crag 290 m Decent
- Grange Fell (Brund Fell) 417 m Save it
- Great Crag (Stonethwaite) 449 m Decent
- Eagle Crag 523 m Save it
- Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot 551 m Save it
- Sergeant's Crag 571 m Save it
Mountain forecast
Met Office mountain forecast for the Lake District (opens in new tab)
The forecasters’ own words for the tops.Explore Stonethwaite
The walks from Stonethwaite on one map, with the fells above them, the buses that reach their starts, and where to park. Choose a walk to see how you reach its start; everything on the map is in the lists below it.
An overview, not a navigation map: carry a map and compass on the fell. Lines are simplified from our GPX; distances to a stop or landing are on foot, the others in a straight line. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, SRTM; map style © OpenTopoMap (CC-BY-SA).
The walks on the map
15 walks that start within 5 km of Stonethwaite, as Walks from Stonethwaite lists them, the ones you reach on foot first, then by bus, then by car; shortest first within each:
All 15 walks
Each filter reads the walk’s own card: how you reach the start is its lines below; effort is its band, the size of the day from the distance and the climb; length is its distance in the route pages’ length grades. One answer to each question; the map shows the same walks.
The Difficult Route up Eagle Crag
10.71 km · ~611 m up · ~3–4¼ h
Moderate effort Severe: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 46%.
Starts at Stonethwaite
- On foot from the village starts in Stonethwaite, within 1 km of its centre in a straight line
- By bus 78, 710 m walk from Rosthwaite, opposite Longthwaite road end
- By car park at Stonethwaite village (roadside, free)
Ullscarf, Eagle Crag & Sergeant's Crag
14.83 km · ~756 m up · ~4–5¾ h
Hard effort Severe: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 45%.
Starts at Stonethwaite
- On foot from the village starts in Stonethwaite, within 1 km of its centre in a straight line
- By bus 78, 430 m walk from Rosthwaite, opposite Longthwaite road end
- By car park at Stonethwaite lane (layby) (free)
The Bowder Stone
1.16 km there and back · ~16 m up · ~¼–½ h
Easy effort Moderate: navigation
Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground.
Starts at Bowder Stone car park, Borrowdale · Out and back
- By bus 78 at the start
- By car park at Quay Foot Quarry, Borrowdale (NT, paid)
Castle Crag from Rosthwaite
6.02 km · ~254 m up · ~1½–2¼ h
Easy effort Moderate: steepness and navigation
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 21%. Navigation: our judgement from the map and the route’s record; that stretch not walked.
Starts at Rosthwaite
- By bus 78 at the start
- By car park at Rosthwaite (NT, paid)
Black Star Brandreth and others
9.29 km · ~629 m up · ~2¾–4 h
Moderate effort Hard: steepness and navigation
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 33%. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground.
Starts at Honister Slate Mine
- By bus 77 at the start
- By car park at Honister Pass (paid, slate mine)
Great Gable from Honister Slate Mine
9.61 km · ~721 m up · ~3–4¼ h
Moderate effort Severe: steepness and navigation
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 45%. Navigation: our judgement from the map and the route’s record; not walked yet.
Starts at Honister Slate Mine
- By bus 77 at the start
- By car park at Honister (NT, paid)
Glaramara, Allen Crags via Stockley Bridge
9.74 km · ~826 m up · ~3¼–4½ h
Moderate effort Severe: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 50%.
Starts at Seathwaite Farm · One-way: finishes 0.8 km from the start in a straight line
- By bus 78, 2.1 km walk from Seatoller, at National Trust car park
- By car start at Seathwaite Farm, Borrowdale (free verge)
Allen Crags & Glaramara
10.94 km · ~853 m up · ~3½–5 h
Moderate effort Severe: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 49%.
Starts at Seathwaite Farm
- By bus 78, 2.2 km walk from Seatoller, at National Trust car park
- By car park at Seathwaite Farm, Borrowdale (free verge)
Haystacks
11.21 km · ~792 m up · ~3½–4¾ h
Moderate effort Hard: steepness and navigation
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 31%. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground.
- By bus 77 at the start
- By car park at Honister Pass (paid, slate mine)
The Borrowdale Fells (Rosthwaite Fell round)
13.23 km · ~850 m up · ~4–5½ h
Hard effort Severe: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 45%.
Starts at Rosthwaite
- By bus 78 at the start
- By car park at Rosthwaite (NT, paid)
Castle Crag, Brund Fell & Great Crag
14.11 km · ~838 m up · ~4–5¾ h
Hard effort Hard: distance and steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the distance; the steepest sustained climb, about 31%.
Starts at Rosthwaite
- By bus 78 at the start
- By car park at Rosthwaite (NT, paid)
Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route
15.84 km · ~949 m up · ~4¾–6½ h
Hard effort Severe: exposure
Exposure: our judgement from the map and the route’s record; not walked yet.
Starts at Seathwaite (Borrowdale)
- By bus 78, 2.2 km walk from Seatoller, at National Trust car park
- By car park at Seathwaite Farm, Borrowdale (farm field, paid)
Seathwaite, Green Gable, Base Brown
15.85 km · ~960 m up · ~4¾–6½ h
Hard effort Severe: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 42%.
Starts at Seatoller, south-east field car park
- By bus 78, 820 m walk from Seatoller, at National Trust car park
- By car park at Seatoller, south-east field car park (paid)
Dale Head Hindscarth and Robinson
17.46 km · ~808 m up · ~4¾–6½ h
Hard effort Hard: distance and steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the distance; the steepest sustained descent, about 27%.
One-way: finishes at Keswick
- By bus 77 at the start
- By car start at Honister (NT, paid)
Honister to Keswick: over the Newlands fells
19.62 km · ~1057 m up · ~5½–7¾ h
Hard effort Severe: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 38%.
Starts at Honister Slate Mine · One-way: finishes at Keswick
- By bus 77 at the start
- By car start at Honister Pass (paid, slate mine)
The fells on the map
Verdicts for 27 October, lowest fell first:
- Castle Crag 290 m Decent
- Grange Fell (Brund Fell) 417 m Save it
- Great Crag (Stonethwaite) 449 m Decent
- Armboth Fell (Armboth Fell South Top) 475 m Marginal
- High Tove 515 m Save it
- Eagle Crag 523 m Save it
- Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot 551 m Save it
- Sergeant's Crag 571 m Save it
- Seathwaite Fell (Wainwright summit) 601 m Save it
- High Seat 609 m Save it
- Base Brown 646 m Save it
- High Spy 653 m Save it
- Grey Knotts 697 m Save it
- Ullscarf 723 m Save it
- Dale Head 754 m Save it
- High Raise (High White Stones) 763 m Save it
- Glaramara 783 m Save it
Buses and stops
The buses that call in Stonethwaite:
- The 77: seasonal, Saturdays and Sundays from 5 September 2026 to 1 November 2026; and on 15 listed dates, 7 September 2026 to 25 September 2026
- The 78
Their stops on this map:
- Bowder Stone, Grange: the 77 and 78 · stop pages: the 78 stop, the 77 and 78 stop
- Brandelhow Park: the 77 · stop page
- Bridge, Grange: the 77 and 78 · stop pages: the 77 and 78 stop, the 78 stop
- Bus Station (K), Keswick: the 77 and 78 · stop page
- Calfclose Bay, Ashness: the 78 · stop pages: one side of the road, the other side
- Cattle Grid, Hawes End: the 77 · stop page
- Cocklety How, Manesty: the 77 · stop page
- Croft Terrace, Braithwaite: the 77 · stop page
- Dalegarth Guest House, Hassness: the 77 · stop page
- Daleview Hotel, Keswick: the 78 · stop page
- Derwent Bridge, Low Portinscale: the 77 · stop pages: one side of the road, the other side
- Derwentwater Youth Hostel, Ashness: the 78 · stop pages: one side of the road, the other side
- General Store, Rosthwaite: the 77 and 78 · stop pages: the 78 stop, the 77 and 78 stop
- Green Road, Swinside: the 77 · stop page
- High Hill Garage: the 77 · stop pages: one side of the road, the other side
- Hillside, Low Portinscale: the 77 · stop page
- Hotel, Borrowdale: the 78 · stop pages: one side of the road, the other side
- Howe Lane end, Rosthwaite: the 77 and 78 · stop pages: the 77 and 78 stop, the 78 stop
- Lodore Hotel, Borrowdale: the 78 · stop pages: one side of the road, the other side
- Longthwaite road end, Rosthwaite: the 77 and 78 · stop page
- Mountain Rescue Point, Gatesgarth: the 77 · stop page
- National Trust car park, Seatoller: the 77 and 78 · stop pages: the 77 and 78 stop, the 78 stop
- Nichol End: the 77 · stop page
- Portinscale House: the 77 · stop page
- Stonethwaite road end, Rosthwaite: the 78 · stop page
- The Daleview Hotel, Keswick: the 78 · stop page
- Village Caf, Grange: the 77 · stop page
- Visitors Centre, Whinlatter: the 77 · stop page
- Youth Hostel, Honister: the 77 · stop page
Where the buses stop, not when: the stop and route pages have the timetables.
Car parks and toilets
- Stonethwaite village (roadside, free) (free) · in Parking near Stonethwaite
- Stonethwaite lane (layby) (free) · in Parking near Stonethwaite
- Stonethwaite lane, south-west (layby) (free) · in Parking near Stonethwaite
- Rosthwaite, south-east field car park (paid) · in Parking near Stonethwaite
- Rosthwaite (NT, paid) (pay and display, National Trust) · in Parking near Stonethwaite
- Seatoller, south-east field car park (paid) · in Parking near Stonethwaite
Toilets near those car parks:
- Rosthwaite Village (free, accessible), about 32 m from Rosthwaite (NT, paid) in a straight line
Stonethwaite at a glance
Stonethwaite is a tiny, peaceful hamlet up a no-through side valley off Borrowdale, about seven miles south of Keswick on Stonethwaite Beck. It's a quiet, pretty corner of the valley — a handful of farms and cottages, an inn, a campsite and a footbridge — hemmed in by craggy fells and famous as a Coast-to-Coast halt. The dairy farm here is old enough to have been fought over by medieval monks (Fountains Abbey held it from 1195), and the peace has barely been broken since.
For walkers it's a gem: the Langstrath valley runs deep into the hills behind, the bold prow of Eagle Crag guards its head, and the low waterfalls of Galleny Force — the so-called "Fairy Glen" — make a magical spot on a warm day. It's genuinely small, with no shop, so it's one for peace and quiet rather than bustle.
Quick facts
| Where | A side valley off Borrowdale, Cumbria — ~7 miles south of Keswick, on Stonethwaite Beck; civil parish of Borrowdale |
|---|---|
| How to say it | "STONE-thwaite" (the -thwaite ending is Old Norse for a clearing) |
| Famous for | A quiet Coast-to-Coast halt, the Langstrath walk, Eagle Crag and Galleny Force ("the Fairy Glen") |
| Getting there | Off the B5289 (turn at Rosthwaite); the 78 Borrowdale bus stops on the main road, a short walk in; no station |
| Parking | Very limited in the hamlet — better to park at Rosthwaite or take the 78 bus |
| Dogs / weather | Dog-friendly walking; a wet, green valley — check the live fell conditions before the tops |
Why visit Stonethwaite?
Stonethwaite is about peace, scenery and walking. It sits at the mouth of the Langstrath — a long, wild, quiet glen that draws you deep into the hills — and it's a natural overnight on Wainwright's Coast to Coast, which climbs out over Greenup Edge towards Grasmere. Add Galleny Force, the rugged fells crowding the skyline, and the genuine away-from-it-all calm, and it rewards anyone after the quieter side of Borrowdale.
It's tiny, though: an inn, a campsite, a few beds and no shop. Come for the walking and the quiet; use Rosthwaite or Keswick for the rest.
Things to do
- Galleny Force ("the Fairy Glen") — a lovely set of low waterfalls and pools on the beck, a popular wild-swimming and paddling spot. It's unsignposted and the water is cold and can rise fast after rain — take real care, especially with children.
- The Langstrath valley — a beautiful, gentle walk up the quiet glen behind the hamlet, as far as you fancy.
- The Langstrath Inn — the hamlet's pub and the social heart of a walking day.
- The Coast to Coast — Stonethwaite is a classic stage; even a short way up Greenup gives a sense of the route.
Walks & fells from Stonethwaite
The walking is rugged and rewarding:
- Eagle Crag and neighbouring Sergeant's Crag — the bold crags guarding the head of the valley; a fine, steep little round.
- Great Crag and Dock Tarn — a lovely walk over to the hidden tarn, with the option to carry on to Watendlath.
- Glaramara, Rosthwaite Fell / Bessyboot and Ullscarf — the bigger fells ringing the valley.
- The Langstrath valley walk and the Coast to Coast over Greenup Edge toward Grasmere.
Check the live "Best Fells today" conditions before you head up. Explore Stonethwaite, above, lists the fells on its map.
The walks from Stonethwaite are in Explore Stonethwaite above, on one map and in a list you can filter by how you reach the start.
Places nearby: Galleny Force · Rosthwaite · Borrowdale · Seatoller
Where to stay
The hamlet has an inn, a campsite and a few rooms. The Langstrath Country Inn has comfortable rooms as well as its bar and restaurant; there's bed-and-breakfast at farms such as Yew Tree Farmhouse, and Borrowdale cottages nearby.
Stonethwaite Farm & Campsite is the well-known riverside campsite — and worth knowing the recent history: it was closed for a spell (under previous arrangements, after problems with safety and the environment), and has reopened under new management for the 2026 season (bookings roughly late March to late September), with new rules (no guests' own fire pits; rentable campfire bundles instead). It changes from year to year, so check the official Stonethwaite Farm & Campsite site before you travel; the long-established Chapel House Farm Campsite nearby is a good alternative.
Food & drink
The Langstrath Country Inn is the hamlet's pub — meals, real ale and rooms, and the obvious place for an end-of-walk pint or dinner (check opening before a special trip). There's no shop in Stonethwaite, so stock up in Rosthwaite (half a mile away) or Keswick.
Getting there & parking
Without a car: The nearest stations as the crow flies are Windermere (21 km away) and Ravenglass (25 km away); the 77 and 78 stop at Rosthwaite, opposite Longthwaite road end, 0.7 km from here in a straight line. The 77 runs until 1 November 2026, the last day of its season. The bus map has every stop we hold.
Stonethwaite lies off the B5289, up a short no-through lane signed from Rosthwaite, about seven miles south of Keswick. There's no railway station. Parking in the hamlet is very limited, so it's best to use the car park at Rosthwaite and walk the half-mile in, or take the 78 Borrowdale bus from Keswick — it stops on the main road by the Stonethwaite turn, leaving a short, level walk to the hamlet.
Parking near Stonethwaite
Toilets, food and shops near these car parks
Cafes: Peathouse Tea & Coffee Shop (opens in new tab), The Flock-in (opens in new tab)
All the car parks around Stonethwaite on the parking map →
Straight-line distances from the centre of Stonethwaite. We publish whether a car park charges, and who runs it, but never the price — tariffs change and a stale one is worse than none, so check the sign or the operator’s own site on the day.
Vehicles are left entirely at their owner’s risk. We list places people park; we cannot vouch for any of them. Judge it on the day: take valuables with you, leave nothing on show, and if a spot feels wrong when you get there, park somewhere else.
Can you stay overnight?
- Rosthwaite (NT, paid) — run by National Trust, which does not permit overnight parking. “We don't allow overnight parking due to the impact on nature and wildlife, staff resource and visitors.” (checked 2026-08-05)
These are the land managers’ and the council’s own published rules, quoted. Where a car park is not listed here we have found no published rule for it, which is not the same as permission.
Getting there across the Lake District: Buses · Parking map · By train · By boat
Practical & nearby
It's fine dog-walking country; facilities are minimal (no shop). Easy outings from Stonethwaite take in Rosthwaite (half a mile), Seatoller and Grange-in-Borrowdale, the Bowder Stone, Watendlath over the fell, and Keswick and Derwentwater down the valley.
Frequently asked questions about Stonethwaite
Is the Stonethwaite campsite open?
Sources: Stonethwaite Farm & Campsite (official) (opens in new tab)
Why did the Stonethwaite campsite close?
Who runs the Stonethwaite campsite now?
Sources: Stonethwaite Farm & Campsite (official) (opens in new tab)
Can you camp by the becks and pools up Langstrath?
Sources: Lake District National Park Authority: wild camping (opens in new tab) · National Trust: wild camping in the Lake District (opens in new tab)
Where do you park in Stonethwaite?
How do you pronounce Stonethwaite?
Where is Galleny Force (the "Fairy Glen")?
What are some walks near Stonethwaite?
Is there a pub in Stonethwaite?
Events across the Lake District
Planning a trip around a show or festival? See our Lake District events & festivals guide for what's on near Stonethwaite — traditional Lakeland sports, agricultural shows and seasonal events, month by month.