Elterwater and the Langdales

The delightful village of Elterwater, at the eastern end of the Great Langdale Valley on B5343, is a good stop for hikers. It's barely more than a cluster of houses around a village green, but from here you can choose from a selection of excellent circular walks. Great Langdale winds up past hills known as the Langdale Pikes towards Great End and England's highest hill, Scafell Pike. To the south, Little Langdale is another of Cumbria's most beautiful valleys with walks aplenty. At its head, the high passes of Wrynose and Hardknott lead west across wild fells to Eskdale and one of the most beautiful and remote lakes, Wast Water. Beyond that, at Ravenglass, the national park reaches all the way to the Cumbrian coast. Between the two Langdales are plenty more great walking opportunities over fells and past far-flung beauty spots such as Blea Tarn.