This walk is ideal for pretty much any weather! It starts from the picturesque village of Elterwater, takes in the near-by Baysbrown Wood, onto the base of Lingmoor Fell then back towards Elterwater along the Langdale Valley, alongside the Great Langdale Beck. It has the added advantage of starting from near the Britannia Inn in Elterwater and passing Wainwright's Inn in Chapel Stile; so no need to go thirsty!
There is a convenient if small car park in the centre of Elterwater which makes an ideal start point for this walk.
From the car park, turn left over the bridge that spans the Great Langdale Beck. If there has been heavy rain, the power and volume of water cascading underneath the bridge produce some impressive rapids.
Take the first turning to the right just past the Eltermere Inn. Follow the tarmac road around to the right, quickly passing a path that leads away to your left, and up onto Lingmoor Fell.
The road skirts the base of Lingmoor Fell and Sawrey’s Wood, climbing surprisingly steeply.
With Yew Crags to your right hand side, the tarmac road gives way to a wide track and enters Baysbrown Wood. The gaps in the tress give tempting glimpses of the fells on the opposite side of the Langdale Valley.
Coming out of the wood, you have a clear view across towards Chapel Stile before skirting behind Baysbrown farmhouse (I think). You will also see a well established camp site below.
The path picks up a stone wall to your left and arcs gently downhill towards Oak Howe. Be wary of the cattle that sometimes graze here.
Follow the path to the right, around Oak Howe (the left hand path takes you out into the Langdale Valley) and start to head back towards Chapel Stile.
Keep the Great Langdale Beck on your left and follow the path towards the camp site which will be on your right. Cross over the beck on the bridge, taking care on the cattle grid. Be wary of camp site traffic as you follow the track to the right, and rather than going onto the road, continue to the right, on the path that goes through Thrang Farm.
The path then goes behind the delightful Chapel Stile School buildings and meets the road just before Wainwright’s Inn. (If tempted, I can thouroughly recommend the lamb!) At the end of the inn’s car park facing the road, to the right is a gate; go through the gate and over the foot bridge that crosses the Great Langdale Beck.
Take the path to the right, perhaps taking some time to relax by the edge of the beck as it widens out before dropping over the recent restored weir.
Follow the path around the base of a slate slag heap; the unwanted material from the Elterwater Quarry on the hill above you. As the path rises through a wooded area, you will see the beck picking up power as the water is forced into increasingly narrow channels between ancient rocks.
Going up a steep incline, the path joins the quarry road. Turn left onto the road and head back towards Elterwater.
There are some fine views of the surrounding fells; in front of you (right to left) of Park Fell, Loughrigg Fell and Loughrigg itself.
The road then drops down back into the village of Elterwater. Turn left onto the bridge and the car park is on your right .... and the Brittania Inn is on your left.
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