Name of walk	Elterwater and Skelwith Bridge
Date of walk	2012-04-30
Distance walked (miles)	6
Duration of walk	3 hours 0 minutes
Weather	Blue skies and sunshine
Peaks on walk	None
Walked with	On own
Parking	Free car park Red bank end of Elterwater

The Britannia Inn at Elterwater is closed at 10am, when I returned in the afternoon it was heaving with people.

Crossing the bridge over Little Langdale Beck.

Panorama looking down on Wilson Place Farm. You have to go through the farm yard.

This lamb was just on the path 25m from the farm, it was unresponsive, I could stoke its head. As I passed the farm, the farmer was in his shed, so I mentioned it to him. He said there had been a hard lambing last night, but hopefully it should pick-up by this afternoon.

The bridge over the River Brathay.

Panorama looking back up to Lingmoor where I was a couple of weeks ago..

And again from further away..

I `m looking back at High Park Farm....you go through this farm yard too.

I head off into the woods then take a sharp left when three tracks converge. This leads down to Colwith Force. The first thought that crosses my mind is "I want to climb down those ladders on the otherside!" There were no bridges up river, so I did a detour off up the Little Langdale Rd. Locating the area by taking the footpath on the other side of the river. I could get down the first ladder but the second one had a sheet of metal covering the first five or so steps, not unassailable, but risky to attempt if you are alone. Pity! The bottom looked to be a good lunch spot and an excellent viewpoint for the waterfall.

Waterfall

The river upstream.

Downstream from the falls..

I crossed the road and climbed over one of the more interesting stiles with a mini-swing-gate.

Skelwith Bridge. Just behind me is the cafe and shop "Chesters By The River". I stopped here for a coffee. They have outside seating on a balcony on stilts over the river.

I walked back to the otherside of the river. View of the cafe balcony.

I headed up stream through the bluebell woods. Only a few were out.

It is still a few weeks early for blubells.

About to cross Woodburn Bridge.

Skelwith Force reached by a couple of small bridges on the right. Woodburn bridge just ahead.

Looking back downstream.

I stopped by the river for lunch with a great view of the Langdale Pikes.

I shared my lunch with a Mallard!

Heading for Elterwater.

Elterwater.

Close up of the Langdale Pikes.

Elterwater Village ahead.

It was a warm day, I had only worn just a T-shirt, the forecast high winds were not apparent here. The walk is about six miles and takes roughly three hours. It is very gentle and easy to do.