An Exhilarating Walk with superb views.

Clothing: Waterproof jacket, sweater, hat, gloves walking boots/shoes
Equipment: O.S. map, compass, whistle, binoculars, emergency food
Refreshment stops: Elterwater and Skelwith Bridge
Conditions to be expected underfoot: tarmac, unmade tracks, steep paths with, occasional damp or muddy parts, grass

For printed directions, please ask at Skelwith Fold Reception. These are available for a suggested £1.50 donation which goes to supporting The Great North Air Ambulance.

1. On leaving Skelwith Fold Caravan Park Shop and Reception Area turn left then follow the red road to the barrier. Continue to the junction by the post box and turn right down the hill through Skelwith Fold.
2. At ‘Spy Hill’ pause to admire the magnificent views of the Langdale Valley and beyond. (There is a plaque showing the various mountains.) Continue down the hill to a junction and turn right. Follow along the narrow lane to the corner passing Skelwith Community Centre then on to meet the main road.
3. Walk straight on to the bridge and pause in the little refuge to admire the river. With great caution cross over and take the first turning on the left, pass some cottages on the right and Chester’s on the left then through the former slate works. The path continues with the River Brathay on the left towards Skelwith Force and then through a gate to the meadows and eventually arrives at a gate to some woods (Rob Rash).
4. Follow the path and eventually arrive at the village of Elterwater. Turn right, pass the Bowling Green and cross towards Elterwater Café. Then continue on passing to the left of the cafe to the cross roads in 100 yds. Cross the road and pass the car park. Continue up the lane and turn right at the top (there is a short cut on the right over three little bridges). Continue up the lane for 100 yds to a track on the right running roughly parallel to the road, it re-joins the lane in 500 yds near a bench. Walk along the lane, round a hairpin bend, and over a cattle grid.
5. Immediately fork right into High Close Arboretum. Follow the track to a gate (from where Loughrigg Fell can be seen on the skyline). Follow the track down passing a sign to Low Wood NT and keeping a metal fence on the right ignoring any turning to the left, continue down to a gate to a lane, turn left. After 200 yds fork right through a gate signposted Public Bridleway – Loughrigg Terrace, Rydal and Deerbolts Woods. Continue along the wide track to a metal gate, cross a small ford and immediately turn right up a stone pitched path that eventually arrives at the summit of Loughrigg Fell. Well done! The summit is situated on a grassed area with magnificent views in all directions! To add even more interest to your achievement open your map and pick out the lakes, mountains, passes and villages.
6. Leave the summit in a rough direction of 130 degrees towards a cairn and Lake Windermere. Turn right 50 yds before the cairn down a grassy footpath. Elterwater soon comes into view. The path soon becomes pitched then stone steps as it descends down to join another path and a wall at the bottom. Turn left through a gate and follow the path with a wall on the right and then a metal fence. A yellow way marker points right through a gate leading to a wide track. Turn left following the wide track above Loughrigg Tarn. Pass a camp site on the right and arrive at a gate and lodge. Go through the gate and turn right and pass by some cottages on the right. The lane leads down to join a road by a post box. Turn right and then left (signed Neaum Crag). The lane, which is steep in places, leads down to Skelwith Bridge. Carefully cross the road at the junction and retrace you route back to Skelwith Fold Caravan Park.

Hill walking can be strenuous and it is up to you to approach it with caution and if you are inexperienced, to do so under appropriate supervision. You should also carry appropriate clothing, equipment and maps and wear suitable footwear. Details given were believed to be right at the time of going to press but neither the author nor Skelwith Fold Caravan Park can accept responsibility for inaccuracies or mishaps. Please keep to public rights of way and observe the Country Code.