New Dungeon Ghyll to Elterwater

Overview

About New Dungeon Ghyll to Elterwater

Why go

Varied valley walk with fell views, woodland, quarry, and river scenery
A genuine one-way route with transport links at both ends
No high-fell summit commitment despite a strong mountain setting

Heads up

Steep uneven middle section is tougher than the low-level label suggests
Wayfinding through the farm and quarry needs care

This is a good low-level way to see the upper Langdale valley without committing to a summit day. The changing sequence is the point: rugged fell walls and open pasture give way to woodland, working-farm scenery, old slate-quarry workings, and a riverside finish. The quarry and valley views make the route more varied than its distance suggests, while the walk stays below the high fells.

Parkwolf’s verdictThe payoff

Map & elevation

The route

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Full map

Elevation70–150 m

TrailheadNew Dungeon Ghyll to Elterwater54.44830, -3.08773

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Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Start at the New Dungeon Ghyll car park off the B5343, postcode LA22 9JX. Use the back of the car park for the route access and do not confuse the starting point with the nearby bus stop or the separate Stickle Tarn path. Elterwater village is the finish, so a return journey or a second vehicle is needed for a round trip.

Best time to go

Clear weather gives the best views into the surrounding valley, while the woodland and quarry sections still provide interest in less dramatic conditions. Spring through autumn is the most straightforward season. After wet weather, the steep tracks and farm sections can be muddy, and winter brings shorter daylight, ice, and more difficult footing.

Safety

The route changes from firm track to steep, uneven paths and farm tracks after the Great Langdale Beck footbridge. The 1:5 climb into Hag Wood and 1:6 descent toward Baysbrown Farm can be slippery. Follow signs carefully through the quarry, watch for quarry traffic, and take care at the river and road bridges. Livestock are present in the fields, and there is no dependable shelter on the route.

8 active Lake District alerts

ClosureChapel Stile footpath closed for retaining-wall riskMentions Chapel Stile, referenced in this guidePart of Footpath 543030 between Chapel Stile and Baysbrown campsite is closed because a retaining wall beside the path could collapse and material it supports could fall across the footpath.Official details
CautionGreat Langdale Beck bridge restrictedMentions Great Langdale Beck, referenced in this guideBridleway 543049 over Great Langdale Beck near Oak Howe is restricted to walkers because one bridge beam has begun to sag and could fail.Official details

See all 8 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Lake District Tour Guide

Your drive to New Dungeon Ghyll to Elterwater, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Lake District National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

Recorded for this trailhead

Langdale Pikes and Stickle Tarn

0:00 / 1:15

“You're approaching Stickle Ghyll at New Dungeon Ghyll, the starting point for walks up to Stickle Tarn and the Langdale Pikes.”

Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Lake District Tour Guide.

Hiking New Dungeon Ghyll to Elterwater

The routeThis is a 3.

This is a 3.61-mile point-to-point walk, measured one way from the back of New Dungeon Ghyll car park to Elterwater village. The opening section follows the valley track for about 1.6 km, then turns onto a field-edge path, passes through gates, and crosses a footbridge over Great Langdale Beck. The route finishes through Hag Wood, Baysbrown Farm, the quarry, and the wooded riverside before entering Elterwater.

How it feelsThe start is firm and relatively gentle, but the walk is not uniformly easy.

The start is firm and relatively gentle, but the walk is not uniformly easy. After the footbridge, expect steep sections, uneven ground, farm tracks, and a short climb into Hag Wood followed by a steep drop to Baysbrown Farm. The route is classed as for some, with a challenging middle section. Allow about 2.5 hours at a normal walking pace with brief stops.

Logistics and dogsUse the car park at New Dungeon Ghyll as the starting access and arrange transport back from…

Use the car park at New Dungeon Ghyll as the starting access and arrange transport back from Elterwater if you leave a vehicle at the start. At Wainwright's Bridge, stay on the same side of the river to continue toward Elterwater; crossing takes you toward Chapel Stile. Dogs can use the public paths, but keep them close and on a lead around livestock. Where open-access rules apply, seasonal short-lead requirements may also apply.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Lake District

All Lake District wildlife maps

81 sightingsRed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

13 sightingsEurasian OtterMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

76 sightingsOspreyMost seen around 8 AMSighting map

51 sightingsEuropean BadgerMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

233 sightingsMute SwanMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

176 sightingsGrey HeronMost seen around 7 AMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Lake District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.