Boot, in Eskdale, is in one of the best walking locations in the Lake District, with many excellent routes starting directly from the doorstep.
Here are 10 of our favourite dog-friendly walks, on the door step, close, or just a short drive, from our luxury cottages, ranging from gentle riverside strolls to full mountain adventures. This is just a few, there are of course many more for you to explore.
Greg Poole – Owner, Bridge End Farm Cottages
1. Boot to Stanley Ghyll Waterfall
Woodland, streams and a spectacular waterfall. Mostly shaded.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km)
2. River Esk & Lingcove Bridge and Waterfalls
Beautiful riverside walking with plenty of places for dogs to paddle. This walk takes you past Tongue Pot which is one of the very best wild swimming spots in the Lake
District.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6–8 miles. Drive to the foot of Hardknott Pass to shorten this to 3 to 4 miles.
3. Boot to Burnmoor Tarn and onto Wasdale Head and the famous Wasdale Head Inn
Quiet fell paths, tarn views and far fewer people than central Lakes. This walk takes you past the historic Peat Huts, the Neolithic and Bronze Age stone circles on the moor above Boot, past Burnmoor Tarn and down to Wasdale Head. On the right is the dominating Scafell massif.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 9 miles return, 4.5 miles each way.
4. Harter Fell from Boot
Superb panoramic summit straight from your cottage. Dogs generally manage this well. This was one of Alfred Wainwright’s all time favourite hikes for the 360 degree panoramic views and the fine view looking down on Hardknott Roman Fort.
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Distance: 7 miles
5. Scafell via Eskdale
One of England’s finest mountain walk without the crowds found on Scafell Pike.
Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 10–12 miles if starting from the car park beyond the Woolpack Inn before Wha House Bridge 5-6 miles
6. Scafell Pike via Wasdale
A popular route up England’s highest mountain and very busy on summer days. Start early to avoid the crowds and take plenty of water
Difficulty: Hard
Distance: Drive to the car park near Wasdale Head
7. Hardknott Roman Fort & Pass
Combine dramatic scenery with the ancient Roman fort near Hardknott Pass. The Fort has lots of interesting and informative display panels. Step out of the north gate and about 20 metres ahead is a stunning view of England’s highest mountains. Walk through the east gate and onto the flat parade ground. Super atmospheric.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4–5 miles or less than half a mile if you drive to the car park near the fort
8. Circular walk to Blea Tarn high on Boot Bank
Ideal morning or evening walk. Head across the bridge, up onto the fell and when you get to the historic peat huts turn left onto the path to Blea Tarn. Have a swim or dip your feet in the tarn. Return via the zig zag path to the train station and back to Boot
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 3 miles
9. Eel Tarn and Stony Tarn
Woodland, farmland and lovely valley views with relatively gentle gradients. Walk around Eel Tarn and return to Boot or head onto to Stony Tarn, circuit this and return to Boot.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 2.5 miles round trip to Eel Tarn and 5–6 miles round trip to Stony Tarn
10. Drigg Sand Dunes & Beach. Also Seascale Beach
Around 20 to 25 minutes’ drive away, offering miles of dog-friendly sand and dunes. Both the beaches are huge and often windswept.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: About 10 miles by car to Drigg and about the same to Seascale
Best walks by type
- Best easy walk: Stanley Ghyll Waterfall
- Best half day walk: Burnmoor Tarn
- Best three quarter day mountain: Harter Fell
- Best full day challenging hike: Scafell from Eskdale
- Best place for a swim: Tongue Pot on the River Esk before Lingcove Bridge.
These walks give you a good mix of meadows, woodland, rivers, tarns, historic sites, beaches, open moorland and classic Lake District mountain scenery, all within easy reach of Bridge End Farm Cottages, Luxury Dog Friendly Cottages in the Lake District.
