The ‘Needs to Know’
Distance: 6.1 miles (9.7 km)
Time to walk: Roughly 3 hours at a slow pace
Difficulty: Fairly flat along the bottom of the valley & on a mixture of surfaces
Dog Friendly?: In this part of the world be aware of livestock
Parking: Seatoller National Trust car park
Postcode: CA12 5XN
what3words: stylists.scrubbing.talent
Public toilets: Cafes & pubs en route
Map of the route:
This is simply awesome walking country & I will be there in September 2026. This fabulous walk though has been done for me by, one of our members Zoe Whyman
Let’s Walk!
1. This walk was inspired by Andrew’s Walks but as we know the area quite well we added a couple of deviations for refreshments
The walk starts from Seatoller National Trust car park. The local bus also stops here. Turn left out of the car park, towards the Glaramara Hotel & turn right at the junction, towards Seathwaite…
2. Before you get to Seathwaite, at the bridge, the footpath leads off to the right, through a gate…
Follow the track along this stunning valley…
…& soon Seathwaite campsite comes into view
3. Make your way over 2 wooden bridges to your left, remembering to look back at the waterfall, which was in full flow as we had had torrential rain the night before…
4. Now walk alongside the campsite & through the farmyard…
…& turn right out of the barn where you’ll soon see the footpath sign
5. You’re now heading back along the valley towards Rosthwaite which sits on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Path…
The track is well used & easy to follow
6. At the end of the track, turn right on to the quiet lane towards Thornthwaite…
At the junction with the main road turn right
7. Walk along the path, now towards Stonethwaite – it was beer o’clock & refreshments at The Langstrath Country Inn were calling. And why not! 🙂
After a short while look out for the footpath to the right… this is looking back at the gate
8. Continuing across the fields, passing through Chapel House Farm & Campsite…
Never forget to keep looking back to see the views behind you.
9. Turn right & follow the quiet road into Stonethwaite, which is a dead end. At the end of the road you’ll see the pub however, as it was Monday they were unfortunately closed
We therefore retraced our tracks back to a very pleasant little cafe, serving coffee, cakes & ice creams through their front window. There are a couple of chairs & tables in their front garden so the diversion into Stonethwaite wasn’t wasted at all.
Once refreshed we headed back up the road & soon found our next footpath…
10. This footpath soon joined the lane again…
Turn right, heading to the junction with your next footpath which is signposted ‘Youth Hostel’ straight ahead
11. The next footpath, again off to the right, passes through some very lovely holiday cottages…
You’re now following the ‘Coast to Coast’ Path
12. The track is again well used & goes behind the first of Rosthwaite cottages…
Follow the signs…first to the right…
…& then to the left
13. The road now leads into Rosthwaite with another great cafe..
…& this time an open pub, reached by following the road to the right from the cafe & then right again
14. Back to the walk & from the cafe, turn left & follow the track…
There are some amazing bridges to cross in the Lake District & this is another one,,,
15. Now follow the track along the river…
…& eventually you come to Borrowdale Youth Hostel… another opportunity for refreshments
15. Once refreshed, continue along the track, following the river. At times there is a bit of a scramble over rocks, with a handy chain at one point, but nothing too onerous…
The path eventually leads behind the Glaramara Hotel with a short up & down through a gate in the wall. Head back to the car park
So that’s it…a fabulous walk in a stunning part of the country. I’m looking forward to doing it in September so…
Go Walk!