Borrowdale, Rosthwaite, Seatoller

This medium difficulty walk takes you through historical locations and affords wonderful views, from the fine woodlands of Borrowdale, the pretty hamlet of Seatoller or the views from Castle Crag.

1. Turn right out of the car park, or go on along the lane if you have arrived by bus, to pass the Flock In Tearoom, once a stable for Yew Tree Farm. It was set up specially for walkers and the goodies on sale will please all the family, either at the beginning or at the end of the walk - or both. Stroll on along the walled way and follow the track as it winds right and continues with the river to your left. Cross the cobbled New Bridge and bear right, ignoring all other paths.

2. Take the right of two gates and carry on beside the river. Follow the path as it leads you to a kissing gate into the fine deciduous woodland below Castle Crag. Stroll on along the clear rough path and continue where it passes through large hillocks of waste from earlier slate quarrying. Ignore a left turn and, just beyond, take the next left, where there is a signpost on the right. Stride this left turn as it climbs gently through more slate waste, softened by birch and moss, and then winds left and right to pass a low cave, which you ignore. Go on, following the winding path, to come to a deep extensive cave on your left. This was Millican¹s living quarters. Here you might spot the faint writing by the entrance. Then climb round some boulders, on the right, to see the little upper cave, called the ‘Attic’ by Millican.

3. Return along the same path and, at the signposted junction, go ahead in the direction of Grange. At a gap in a cross wall, pass through and turn right to descend the pitched path to come beside the river once more. Go on to go through a gate. A few steps along, turn left to walk the bridleway in the direction of Seatoller.

4. Idle through the glorious woodland and then cross Broadslack Gill by a footbridge. Go on to pass through a gate to emerge from the trees. Then the roughly reinforced track, once the old road to Rigghead Quarries, begins to climb. Continue up past a vast area scree to your left, with the slopes of Low Scawdel to your right. Just beyond the scree is a large cairn and here leave the track, left, to take a grassy path that continues and then soon turns left and begins to ascend the crag. Half way up a little path, right, leads to a seat and a plaque commemorating Agnes, the widow of Sir William Hamer. Continue up the slightly rougher way to climb a ladderstile.

5. Turn right and walk along beside the fence on your right to come to another ladderstile. Do NOT climb this but note it for your return. Turn left to climb a clear path onto a flattish area with a cairn. Beyond, you can see the zig-zag path that ascends the huge slag heap. Much of it has a low wall to one side or the other but there are two very short stretches where there is no protection. This short challenging path brings you to another flat area and the ruins of old quarry huts. To the left is a large quarry, open to the sky. Follow the narrow path that goes on, winding round a tree and climbing up a brief slope, to come to another flat area. Keep on the good path that keeps well away from the edge of the quarry and leads to the delightful grassy summit. Here you will want to sit, relax and enjoy the wonderful view.

6. Return to the stile you particularly noted (not the first one you come to). Climb over and take, on the right, a stile over a fence. Walk on alongside the fence, on your left, and follow the delightful way until it eventually deposits you at the brow of the old quarry road. Go on along the track until you reach a waymark where the track swings right and a narrow path goes on gently descending. It is this left branch you need to follow. Cross a couple of streams on stones and go on down to cross the two bridges over Tongue Gill.

7. Carry on along the pleasing path, with wonderful views up Greenup Gill. At a cross of tracks, press on ahead along the narrower path. Cross the footbridge over Scaleclose Gill and carry on along the airy path. On reaching two gates, take the one on the left, for Seatoller. Continue down the permitted way to pass through a kissing gate on the right of the path. Follow the clear descending path as it winds downhill, with Johnny Wood to the left. Go on steadily down to join the road at Seatoller. Turn left to visit, or pass, the Seatoller Barn on the left and the Yew Tree cafe and bar on the right. A few metres along, turn left into the NP car park, where there are toilets.

8. Leave the car park by the far top corner and go on to climb a stile. Turn right and walk on. Go through the gate in the wall on your right and continue on, with a wall to your right. Pass through a gate into the lower part of Johnny Wood, where magnificent oaks shade the way. Follow the track until it ends at the edge of River Derwent. Here wind slightly left to clamber over scattered boulders. Look for the chain set in the rocks that helps you to balance. And then the good path emerges again and beyond a gate you continue, with Borrowdale Youth Hostel to your left and the river to the right.

9. Just before the entrance gate to the hostel, take the wide track, left, in the direction of Rosthwaite. Keep parallel with the river to take a small kissing gate and beyond walk on along the glorious fenced path. If the river is low, cross it by the large stepping stones (watch out for the awkwardly tilting one when you are nearly across). If these are under water, continue to cross New Bridge and return by your outward route to the village.

Getting there

Parking: Rosthwaite's National Trust pay-and-display car park.

Public transport: To reach Rosthwaite’s National Trust pay-and-display car park, take the B5289 from Keswick and continue south through Borrowdale. Turn right at the start of the village. Beyond this car park is another in front of the village hall (£2 all day, at the time of writing). There is an excellent bus service from Keswick, through the valley. Alight at the start of the village, cross the road and continue along the right turn in the direction of the car park.