Skelwith Bridge – Skelwith Force – Elterwater – Slater Bridge – Cathedral Cave – Colwith Force – Skelwith Bridge

Distance: 10.7 km
Total Ascent: 226 metres     
Time Taken: 2 hours 40 minutes
Start Time: 10:15
Weather: Overcast, some mizzle. 3ºC
Finlay’s Wainwright count: 18/214 (0 new this walk)

Route map with GPX Download.

I thought the weather was supposed to be better today (perhaps it was better elsewhere?) and I had planned on going higher but looking at the clouds and the mizzle I didn’t think it was worth getting up onto the fells. I have had this circuit in my back pocket for a while and for just such a day and especially when it is not holiday season as it seems to be so popular around Skelwith these days. It was a great little walk, a bit damp at times but the scenery, as ever, was beautiful. I do wonder what I have unleashed in Finlay as I had him jumping stiles and when he got the hang of it he showed he can jump over them without even touching – yikes!

Almost as soon as the walk started from Skelwith Bridge I was at Skelwith Force falls. The falls were if fine form today with plenty of water flowing over them. I left Finlay tied to the fence a little further up the path, the slippery rocks were too dangerous to risk taking him down there, plus of course he would no doubt pull me in with him!

The clouds were really low down passing Elter Water with not a lot in the way of views. It was, however, very quiet and I suppose it is not often you can say that about this popular area.

Approaching Elterwater village. From the village there is a steep climb up towards Little Langdale on a rough track and I passed two for three walking groups on the way up there.

The view from the top of the climb looking across the misty trees and, as so often, it always seems to be brighter ‘over there’!

Little Langdale Tarn with very low cloud down on the Coniston fells.

The path down to Slater (or Slater’s) Bridge.

Down at Slater Bridge – again, all was very quiet in this area. Not too far now to Cathedral Quarry.

Inside Cathedral Cave.

Colwith Force, again the falls were in good flow. Not far from here back to Skelwith Bridge – a great finishing point with a coffee and cake from Chester’s. On the way back from Colwith Falls I passed 3 people who were walking along playing loud music, oblivious to their surroundings. I cannot understand some people, but then again I am old!