Elterwater to Chesters by the river circular walk
A low-level, easy walk with cake, coffee and beautiful views
This Elterwater walk is my favourite of them all. As a child, I’d visit the Lake District with my family and often stay in the village of Elterwater or the neighbouring village of Chappel Style.
This walk is an accessible and gentle low-level walk to Chesters by the River, perfect for the days when the mountain tops are covered in clouds or you fancy something a little lighter on the feet. Chesters by the river has a fantastic selection of food, cakes, warm drinks and other snacks making it a great place to visit at the halfway point of this walk.
Parking in Elterwater can get quite busy, so a top tip is to get their early in the day and park at the Elterwater National Trust car park (postcode: LA229HU)
Total Distance: 5km
Location: The route starts and ends in Elterwater
Where to stay: Ambleside, Rydal and Grasmere are close to the start and finish, providing plenty of places to park, camp or stay
The Elterwater to Chesters by the river walking route
OS Route map for walk from Elterwater to Chesters
This walk is a flat 3-mile round trip with lovely views of the surrounding countryside.
You can park in the Elterwater National Trust car park, which is conveniently located next to the start of the walk.
Starting in the village of Elterwater (a short drive from Ambleside), the walk begins on a well-maintained National Trust footpath. You’ll follow the river for most of the route and have plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the view. The path is surrounded by greenery, fields, sheep and has stunning views of the Langdale Pikes, which are a group of impressive fells in the region.
The route also passes by the incredible Skelwith Force Waterfall (picture below), where when the water is low, you can climb on the rocks that overlook the falls.
The final stretch of the walk takes you to Chesters By The River, a beautiful farm shop and café that is surrounded by stunning views of the countryside. The café is known for its locally sourced homemade lunch, wood-fired pizza and classic cakes. No exaggeration, the food is fantastic! You can sit outside and enjoy a well-deserved meal or if the weather is poor, there is plenty of inside seating.
For those looking for a longer walk, you can continue along the footpath past Chesters By The River and onto the neighbouring village of Colwith. This will add an additional 2 miles to the walk and take you through some beautiful woodland and open fields. There is also a longer loop that takes you into the Langdale Valley and provides the opportunity to explore the famous Cathedral caves near Slater's Bridge.
Overall, the walk between Elterwater and Chesters By The River is a fantastic option for those looking for a moderately challenging walk with stunning views of the Lake District. Whether you're a seasoned walker or just starting, this route is sure to impress and leave you wanting to explore more of this beautiful region.
Upon your return to Elterwater, stop for dinner and a drink at the Britannia Inn. They have a selection of their own beer brewed by their sister company, the Langdale Brewing Company, with water taken from the Langdale Valley.
If you fancy a longer walk, there is a lovely circular walk through the Langdale valley, starting and ending in Elterwater with a stop off at Chesters.
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Chesters by the River Ambleside- a fantastic assortment of yummy foods
My favourite view - looking out over Elter Water at the Langdales
Things to plan on your walk from Elterwater
This walk is fairly flat and easy, so unlike other long walks in the lakes, you can travel lightly. As with any walk, it's important to plan ahead and be prepared for the conditions.
It's essential to bring appropriate clothing and footwear including sturdy walking boots and a waterproof jacket + warm layers and sunscreen if needed.
Walk start Location
The walk can be started in either the village of Elterwater or from Chesters by the River located by Skelwith Bridge. There are small car parks at both locations. However, they get full very quickly, especially when the weather is good. Elterwater has a National Trust car park (don’t forget your card) that is located at the start of the route.
View of the Langdales from Elterwater
Kit list for when out walking in the Lake District
As mentioned, it's essential to bring appropriate clothing and footwear for your hike. Here's a list of essential items to bring:
Sturdy walking boots with good ankle support
You can get a decent pair of boots from Cotswold Outdoors, Mountain Warehouse or Blacks. You don’t need to spend a load of money, but anything with ankle support should do the job. I have the Scarpa Rush TRK Gore-Tex boots and they are fantastic!
Waterproof jacket and trousers - even in the summer, taking a waterproof jacket that offers protection from the wind is key
You don’t need to spend a lot of money, but if you are going to be hiking often then investing in a good waterproof may be a good idea
Warm layers (fleece, hat, gloves) - gloves come in handy when navigating rocky sections and the route turns into a scramble
I have both hat and gloves from the brand SealSkinz and they are fantastic
Map and compass (and the ability to use them)
Food and water
Kendal Mint Cake is my favourite snack for any walk and is a famous snack still made in the Lake District
Sunscreen and Bug Spray
First aid kit - a small mix of plasters, Savalon (for bites and stings) and antiseptic wipes will do
Mobile phone (with a full battery) + portable charger.
I recommend any Anker Power Bank as they are reliable and well made. I use the USB-C 10,000 maH with 20W model. It charges my phone and watch when wild camping and is a great lightweight option.
