During a wonderful trip backpacking the Lakeland Way in April this year, I took the opportunity to take notes of any issues along the route. Also, after further reflection, I’ve decided that a visit to Walna Scar Quarries is no longer part of the official route, but is now an optional diversion. There’s more about this decision further down this page.
Because of this change, the GPX files or PDF maps downloaded before 05.05.25 should be replaced with the following revised files:
Full GPX route of the Lakeland Way: Download
Day 10 – Coniston to Seathwaite
GPX route: Download
PDF maps: Download
Day 1 – Ravenglass to Wasdale Head
Ravenglass station footbridge
In 2024 Network Rail announced plans to fully refurbish the footbridge at Ravenglass station on the Cumbrian Coast Line. Although the footbridge is not on the LW route, anyone wanting to reach the start of the walk from Main Street will have to walk along the road and under the main-line bridge. Network Rail have worked with Cumberland Council to put in pedestrian diversion routes, with signage and safety barriers so people can still access both platforms during the work.
The much-loved footbridge, first constructed in 1849, was due to be repaired in autumn 2023 with the timber deck being replaced. However, when engineers started work on the bridge, they found the condition was worse than expected and so a full refurbishment and repair was needed.
Work began on site in February 2025, with the whole structure removed and transported to a repair facility to be worked on. This includes being fully repainted and restoring it to how it looked in its historic heyday. Doing this work away from the station means they don’t have to close the line and trains can continue to run. The footbridge will then be bought back to site and reinstalled at the station, with the timber deck replaced and safety checks carried out, and then reopened to passengers and the public.
In March this year, Network Rail gave an update stating that they aim to have the bridge back open this summer:
“The plan now is to work on the bridge offsite and reinstate the bridge in June over a weekend during planned engineering time, to hopefully minimise the impact on passengers. There will be some on-site work after this, such as replacing boards and screening.”
Stepping stones near St Catherine’s Church
Since I did an update of the stepping stones over the River Esk at St Catherine’s Church, in October 2023, I can now report that more of the large boulders have dislodged from their positions, making the crossing even more difficult than previously.
On this occasion I was able to cross due to the fact we’ve had a prolonged period of dry weather, resulting in the River Esk being very low. Some attempt has been made to position some smaller boulders between the larger steps, but in full spate the river is likely going to move these also.
It is not known if or when the large boulders will be put back in line, but a safe alternative route (purple) is to cross the river a little further upstream over Girder Bridge.
Day 7 – Patterdale to Troutbeck
Hayeswater Bridge
The footbridge over Hayeswater Gill was blown over during Storm Isha in January 2024.
“When water levels and flow are low the adjacent ford will be accessible for some bridleway users. An alternative bridge downstream can be accessed to the west-northwest close to the Filter House. We intend to replace the bridge as part of our bridge replacement programme during the summer of 2025.”
LDNPA
After long periods of rain the beck can soon become challenging, so the Lake District National Park Authority have suggested an alternative route over the lower footbridge and up the left side of the gill. However, we feel this route to be not very enjoyable as it firstly drops down from the main track resulting in loss of ascent, and on the other side of the gill the path is sketchy and boggy in places. Personally, I’d rather take off my boots and cross over at the ford where the damaged bridge was located.
After a few days of rain at the end of May 2025, we visited the area to check for possible crossing points. Jaclyn is seen here crossing the ford on its left side and was just able to do so without getting her feet wet. Please note though, this is only after a couple of days of rain.
Jaclyn is seen here crossing on the right side of the ford, and same again was just able to do so.
About 25 yards up the gill from the ford, some large boulders provide a slightly easier crossing. Until the footbridge is replaced in the “summer of 2025”, these are the only safe possible places to cross the beck other than the lower footbridge.
Day 9 – Grasmere to Coniston
Honesty boxes
Just as you approach the first set of houses in the village of Chapel Stile, some kind people have provided an honesty box with delicious homemade cakes. This of course is essential mountain fodder!
At High Tilberthwaite Farm there is an “honesty fridge”, providing cold drinks, ice creams, ice lollies, and chocolates. You can pay with cash or bank transfer (depending on signal).
Day 10 – Coniston to Seathwaite
Walna Scar Quarries
When the Lakeland Way was in development, the ruins of Walna Scar Quarries were certainly worthy of inclusion as a point of interest. However, the path that leads to them, the ‘higher traverse’, at certain times of the year is difficult to locate without the use of a GPX device. I have pondered over this since the walk was published in August 2023, and after many visits along this section and much reflection, I have now decided to make a visit to these quarries an optional diversion.
The main LW route does still leave Walna Scar Road, but this is only for a short distance to the lower ruins of the quarries. This provides the feet with some relief after walking the very rough and lengthy track all the way from the Coppermines Valley.
The lower ruins also provide a good spot for a late lunch, before continuing on your journey down into the Duddon Valley.
Duck boards in the Duddon Valley
So this happened on my Lakeland Way journey in April 2025!
After crossing the footbridge over Tarn Beck, a series of duck boards offer safety (apparently!) to avoid the swamp on the valley floor. However, some of the boards are now submerged by a few inches and are extremely slippery. In all my wisdom I thought I would step on the turf beside the boards, and stupidly not realising that this was just a raft, I ended up plunging up to my waist. The photo above shows where my right leg, my left arm and my biggest chin left an impression!
I left the scene smelling and looking like a monster from the bog of eternal stench! Thankfully, the River Duddon wasn’t too far away and I had a quick ‘strip n dip’ before going to the pub in Seathwaite.
Day 11 – Seathwaite to Boot
Conservation pigs
While walking through the Grassguards nature reserve, look out for these beauties churning up the ground beside the track. Be warned though, if Pepper spots you, he may follow you!
“Volunteers have been taking part in a restoration project at Hardknott Forest, in the Lake District, to replace non-native trees with a bio diverse habitat. Part of that includes using “conservation pigs”, which help to break up compacted soil and reduce invasive species.
Hardknott Forest is a 600 hectare (1,482 acre) conifer plantation which was planted in the 1930s, despite local opposition.
After consultation, Forestry England decided to restore the area to native habitats of oak and birch woodland, bogs and open ground. Pigs naturally churn up the ground and remove invasive species while foraging, making the area more suitable for planting trees.”
BBC News, North East and Cumbria
Day 12 – Boot to Ravenglass
Broad Oak to Waberthwaite
Although only a mile in length, this part of the Lakeland Way, between Broad Oak on the A591 and the village of Waberthwaite, is one of those sections that is potentially falling victim to neglect due to very little use. Stiles and bridges are weak, gates need maintenance and some parts are overgrown, but it is clear that some people do actually walk this way. These will most likely be local folk, including children doing outdoor activities from the nearby school in Waberthwaite.
Even though it is a ‘public right of way’ along this section, it is one of those situations where it will feel like you are walking through someone’s back garden and trespassing, and local folk, understandably, may be startled to see you passing through. Until the Lakeland Way becomes more established this will remain the case.
With all that in mind please pass through quietly, stick to the path, and keep dogs on leads at all times. As a reward, treats are available at the village shop in Waberthwaite.