Walk 2355 - printer friendly version

Blea Tarn & Eskdale Green Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 6.5 miles / 10.6 km

Ascent - 1100 feet / 333 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference NY172006
Lat 54.394115 + Long -3.276745
Postcode CA19 1TF (approx. location only)

Eskdale is one of the quieter valleys in Lakeland. It offers some beautiful scenery with low fells set against a backdrop of high fells including the Scafells. This Lake District walk begins with a moderate ascent to Blea Tarn from the small village of Boot before continuing down the ridge of low fells towards Eskdale Green. The return is along the Esk valley and includes Gill Force waterfall.

Parking in the village of Boot is at a premium. However there is a large car park at the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway station (Grid ref. NY172006) where a fee may be payable if you do not use the trains. However you can return from Eskdale Green by train omitting the valley walk as described. From the station, exit onto the main valley road and turn left. Walk along this road to Brook House where you go left into the village. At the end of the tarmac lane continue ahead on the signed bridleway climbing steadily across the fellside.

Reaching the open fellside (Grid ref. NY176017) go through the gate in the intake wall. Continue to follow the track and bear left at the first fork. This track continues for some way and used to service mine workings in the area. Eventually the track becomes a path and this followed to reach Blea Tarn, which is on your right. Continue around the shore to join the path coming up from Beckfoot and continue to reach Siney Tarn where care is needed to avoid the boggy areas.

After Siney Tarn, the path follows the northern edge of Sineytarn Moss before veering southwest to reach a wall. The path continues alongside this wall, which is on your left, to reach a gate in a fence. Go through the gate and take the higher path, which leads to the right of a derelict barn. Continue ahead on this path as you descend into Eskdale to cross the railway and reach the road (Grid ref. NY146998). If you are returning by train then turn right for Eskdale Green station otherwise go left along the road. Turn left at the road junction and then right down the path (Grid ref. NY152000) to the River Esk.

Cross the river and turn left along the bridleway. At first this follows the river but soon enters woodland. Passing Dalegarth Hall on your left you cross a footbridge (Grid ref. NY173001) over Stanley Gill to regain the banks of the Esk. Continue upstream to reach a bridge (Grid ref. NY176002). Cross this and follow the path alongside the river downstream towards the chapel. Turn right in front of the chapel along a track, bearing right at the first junction. At the next junction (Grid ref. NY175008) turn left along the lane back to the start.

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