Route: Wastwater from Nether Wasdale
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 4th May 2017
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 7.1 miles
Weather: Sunny
I parked in the attractive little village of Nether Wasdale ‘Copeland’s best kept small village’, and walked out of the village heading east along the road, crossing Cinderdale Bridge and Forest Bridge before turning off to follow the track to Easthwaite
After passing through the farm I arrived at the foot of Wastwater, a wonderful place. In order to cross the River Irt I retraced my steps and crossed Lund Bridge to enter Low Wood, where the bluebells were showing well. A beautiful path skirts around the wood and then hugs the shore of Wastwater. The views along the lake are of classical beauty, which is why I recommend that the walk is followed in an anti-clockwise direction – in order to keep the views in front of you as you progress
After passing by Wasdale Hall I arrived at the lakeshore road. The road section lasts until Buckbarrow is reached but is not a chore as it’s a quiet road and the scenery is outstanding all the way
The return leg took me back through the fields to Nether Wasdale to end a superb low level walk
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)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Red squirrel in the garden before I set off to Wasdale this morning
The start of the walk from Nether Wasdale 'Copeland's best kept small village'
I follow the lane out of the village, which is bedecked with bunting in readiness for a May Day festival
Whin Rigg and Illgill Head
I follow the track to Easthwaite
Bluebells in the adjoining woodland
Easthwaite ahead
The Screes, which plunge into Wastwater
Looking across to Yewbarrow at the head of Wasdale
The track continues beyond Easthwaite...
Low Wood and The Screes
I make a short detour to the point where Wastwater flows out along the River Irt
The boathouse at the foot of Wastwater
Wastwater
I retrace my steps and join a path beside the River Irt
I cross Lund Bridge and enter into Low Wood
I pass by the boathouse again
The path winds around the edge of the wood
Bluebells in Low Wood...
A wonderful view to Wasdale Head
I continue along the shoreline path, with Low Wood on my left
That view again
I pass by Wasdale Hall
Beyond the foot of the lake I keep to the shoreline path, with a superlative view ahead of me...
The path ends and I follow the road
The Screes...
...and an artist painting them
The classic view to Wasdale Head, at which point I have to turn inland
I follow the road in the direction of Gosforth
Heading towards Buckbarrow
A view back to The Screes
Further along the roadside section
The Screes again
I leave the road at Buckbarrow
The path passes through Buckbarrow
A delighful path runs between dry stone walls
Looking back to Buckbarrow...
I continue through the fields
Looking back
Looking across to an old barn
Gnarled old tree
I pass through Church Stile Farm and Holiday Park to return to Nether Wasdale
Back in Nether Wasdale - St Michael's Church, and the end of a fantastic walk
