Nether Wasdale to Wast Water

Recommended by

Our view

"This walk takes in some of the delights of Cumbria's deepest lake, most magnificent screes and prettiest woods."

Walk directions

From the car park exit to the road and turn right. Cross the River Irt on a stone bridge, then turn left immediately on a stony track. The track leads through fields to Easthwaite Farm; skirt left around it on a secondary track, rejoining the main track just beyond.

Continue along the track through more fields, now tucked beneath the rocks of Irton Fell. After a slight descent, the track comes close to the River Irt then reaches the Wast Water Pump House at the foot of Wast Water. Water from the lake is pumped from here to Sellafield nuclear plant at seascale.

Beyond the pumphouse a narrow, undulating path follows the lakeshore to reach the foot of the Screes. You may wish to continue a little further just to get a feel for it, but then retrace your steps, past the pump house, to a little gate on the right leading to a narrow riverside path. Follow this by the Irt to Lund Bridge and cross over.

Go through a kissing gate then keep right on a clear path parallel to the river. This winds through Low Wood, bends left behind a little boathouse and continues along the lakeshore. The path approaches Wasdale Hall, a magnificent mansion now used as a youth hostel. Ignore branching paths to the hall and stay on the main lakeside path until it climbs slightly to a gate. Just above this you meet the Wasdale Head road. Here, you get a grand view over the lake towards the Screes, Yewbarrow and Great Gable.

Turn left along the road then, after about 300yds (274m), turn right along a wide stony track with a footpath sign. Follow this between High Birkhow Woods and Wasdale Hall’s long-abandoned walled gardens. Go over a stile at the end of the track to enter high pastures with the crags of Buckbarrow and Middle Fell away to the right.

The path begins as a faint grooved track, heading half left over a slight rise then bending back right towards a low rocky outcrop. From here it becomes well defined and winds downhill to meet another track at a T-junction. Turn left along this track, which aims southwest with the rocks of Ashness How to your left. When you see footpath waymarks to the left, you could make a short there-and-back detour to see Woodhow Tarn.

Otherwise continue straight ahead. Ignore another bridleway going right and follow the track ahead. It passes a cottage before veering left to the Nether Wasdale road. Turn right and then fork left (signed Santon Bridge). At the next junction the car park is a short way to the right.

View all directions

Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Well-defined paths and farm tracks

Landscape - Farm pasture, deciduous woodland, low moor

Dog friendliness - Can run free in Low Wood; on lead elsewhere

Parking - Car park in the woods, just north of Forest Bridge

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Cumbria Dog-friendly walks in Cumbria

About the walk

If you’re driving past Nether Wasdale, the chances are you’re on the way to Wasdale Head and thinking about the climb to Great Gable, or England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike. Nether Wasdale and its surrounding oak woods are pretty, but these narrow, twisting lanes and their enclosing stone...

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Cumbria's rugged yet beautiful landscape is best known for the Lake District National Park that sits within its boundaries. It’s famous for Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake, and Derwent Water, ‘Queen of the English Lakes', but other lesser-known areas in the south, such as the Lune Valley and the coastal towns, are secret gems of wide cobbled streets and rolling hills.