A view of the Eskdale horseshoe seen from
the south side of lower Eskdale

Introduction
Eskdale is one of those superbly varied valleys in the Lake District that offers the perfect blend of gentle scenery low down and dramatic mountains high up its valley. The entire Scafell massif can be explored from here without too much strain as can the Bowfell range. Erosion is much less of a problem here with the footpaths far less visible from a long way off. The UK's steepest road - over Hardknott Pass at 1:3 gradient - is also here.

Lower Eskdale seen a few minutes before dusk

In a golden sunset, Esk Pike Bowfell and Crinkle Crags

A test of your driving nerve

Scafell Pike and Ill Crag seen from the south

The approach to Scafell takes you over undulating moorland that tests your navigation reasonably well with plenty of undulations. The going from the south is quite boggy and the footpath isn't a motorway as would be expected for the second highest mountain in England. An approach up the Eskdale valley gradually takes you from the low level pastures up a dramatic gorge to Great Moss where the full grandeur of the Scafell Massif is revealled. Scafell is described in more detail in the Wasdale page.

Sellafield - a prominent view from the southern slopes of Scafell

The Langdale Pikes seen from the Eskdale Horseshoe

Upper Eskdale is one of the few dramatic valleys in England that remains untouched by the masses. As such, the footpaths beyond the lower gorge are faint and the valley has a distinctly wild feel about it. A good walk is the Eskdale horseshoe which takes in the Scafell Massif, Esk Pike, Bow Fell and Crinkle Crags. It passes right over the top of Wasdale, Borrowdale and Langdale making it feel a very central walk in the Lake District.

On the descent from Foxes Tarn

Looking down to Eskdale from Three Tarns near Bowfell

The Scafell and Bowfell range seen from the south

On the south side of Eskdale, Harter Fell is well worth a climb - the very summits require some handwork to get to their tops and are very satisfying. Harter Fell rises up prominently above a large expanse of moorland and thus commands some excellent views of the fells to the north and east and also the sea to the west. The moorland around Harter Fell has isolated tops including Green Crag. The ground is quite undulating here and in the mist, it provides an excellent opportunity to practice your navigation.

Green Crag on the south side of Eskdale

The Roman Fort near Hard Knott Pass

Harter Fell seen in Autumnal colours near sunset

Hard Knott and Border End provide some relaxing walks - if you have a car it's only a 150m climb from the top of the pass. Features of interest include 'the steeple' - a needle of rock about 15m high.

Other hills of interest are quite low in altitude but provide good easy strolls. Summits of interest include:- Mancaster Fell, Eskdale Fell (Great How) and Irton Pike.