Route: Langdale
Area: South Eastern Lake District
Date of walk: 15th January 2014
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 7.5 miles
Ascent: 800 feet
Plan A this morning was to climb Helm Crag, but on the way past I couldn’t see the foot of the fell, let alone its top. It was misty and drizzling so I had to resort to Plan B – not with reluctance as a low level walk in Langdale is always beautiful whatever the weather
I parked near Skelwith Bridge and joined the Cumbria Way to walk along the banks of the River Brathay. The river was running very high following all the recent rain
When I reached Elterwater I turned south to head through Sawrey’s Wood and across Little Langdale. The last leg of the walk took me past Colwith Force and Skelwith Force, both of which were in good form and roaring like lions
The photos below reflect the fact that the weather was unremittingly gloomy – low mist, constant rain and poor light, but I’d enjoyed the walk all the same
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
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This is why I drove past Helm Crag without stopping
The start of the walk near Skelwith Bridge
A very full River Brathay
Elterwater
As far as Bonnie is concerned, the more water the better
Further along the Cumbria Way, Langdale Beck
Approaching Elterwater - sadly, the fells can’t be seen
Crossing Elterwater Bridge
The weir, Langdale Beck
Sawrey’s Wood
The lower slopes of Lingmoor Fell
Walking across Little Langdale
The ford is unfordable but there’s a bridge to the right
High Park, looking towards Lingmoor Fell
Colwith Force
Skelwith Force
and again
The River Brathay from the footbridge just beyond Skelwith Bridge
Back in Birk Rigg Park, from where I’d started the walk
The River Brathay again
A last look at the river before getting back to the start
