Eskdale

The Walks
Eskdale is one of those superbly varied valleys in the Lake District that offers the perfect blend of gentle scenery low down and dramatic mountains high up its valley. The entire Scafell massif can be explored from here without too much strain as can the Bowfell range. Erosion is much less of a problem here with the footpaths far less visible from a long way off. The steepest road gradient - over Hardknott Pass at 1:3 gradient - can be tackled here though that's not really a hiking theme.





The approach to Scafell takes you over undulating moorland that tests your navigation reasonably well with plenty of undulations. The going from the south is quite boggy and anazingly the footpath isn't a motorway as would be expected for the second highest mountain in England. An approach up the Eskdale valley gradually takes you from the low level pastures up the dramatic gorge before levelling out at Great Moss where the full grandeur of the Scafell Massif is revealled. Scafell is described in more detail in the Wasdale page. Upper Eskdale is one of the few dramatic valleys in England that remains untouched by the masses. As such, the footpaths beyond the lower gorge are very faint and the valley has a distinctly wild feel about it. Take a visit, you might like it!



There are other numerous fells worth exploring.

On the south side of Eskdale, Harter Fell is well worth a climb - the very summits require some handwork to get to their tops and they are thus very satisfying. Harter Fell rises up prominently above a large expanse of moorland and thus commands some excellent views of the fells to the north and east and also the sea to the west. The moorland around Harter Fell has isolated tops including Green Fell. The ground is quite undulating here and in the mist, it provides an excellent opportunity to practice your navigation.

Hard Knott and Border End provide some relaxing walks - if you have a car it's only a ~150m climb from the top of the pass. Features of interest include 'the steeple' - a needle of rock about 15m high - best viewed rather than ascended! Other fells of interest are quite low in altitude but provide good easy strolls to kill time. Summits of interest include:- Mancaster Fell, Eskdale Fell (Great How) and Irton Pike.



Travel
Trains can be caught to Ravenglas from where you can use the narrow gauge railway to get to Boot.

Pubs
There are plenty in the valley including one called the Woolpack Inn next to the Eskdale Youth Hostel