Borrowdale
This circular walk explores the beautiful Borrowdale area of the Derwent Valley in the Lake District National Park. It's a popular area for walkers with lovely scenery, riverside paths along the River Derwent and views over Derwent Water to enjoy.
Start your walk from the National Trust car park at Seatoller near Seatoller Bridge. From here you can directly pick up a section of the Allerdale Ramble long distance trail. Follow the path north and it will take you past High Scawdel to Castle Crag, the smallest hill in Alfred Wainwright's Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. This area is very pretty with nice woodland trails and great views over the surrounding fells and lakes. The route continues around the woodland of the crag before turning south towards Rosthwaite. You enjoy a nice riverside section along the Derwent before a short woodland section returns you to Seatoller.
Postcode
CA12 5XN - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsBorrowdale Ordnance Survey Map 
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Borrowdale Open Street Map 
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Borrowdale OS Map 
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Borrowdale Open Street Map 
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Pubs/Cafes
The Glaramara House hotel in Seatoller is in a stunning location. There's wonderful views of the Borrowdale Fells from the lovely outdoor seating area in the spacious grounds. It's the perfect place to relax after a long walk on a warm day. Indoors there's a cosy resident’s lounge with a log fire and a spacious bar. They do very good food and also provide top quality accommodation if you need to stay over. You can find the hotel just to the east of the National trust car park on the Honister Pass at postcode CA12 5XQ. From here you can also enjoy a climb to Thornythwaite Fell and Glaramara mountain.
The Borrowdale Gates Hotel is located in Grange, just south of Derwentwater. The hotel is in a lovely spot and includes a terrace and some pretty gardens with fine views of the surrounding fells. During the colder months, open log fires are lit in the lounges all day, providing warmth and cosiness for reading and drinks. The restaurant is open to non residents and includes panoramic windows offering captivating fell views to complement the imaginative menu. It's a fine place to enjoy a meal and then stroll around the pretty gardens surrounding the hotel. You can find the Borrowdale Gates in Grange at postcode CA12 5UQ. The hotel is located very close to two other walking highlights of the area. A short stroll south will take you to the Bowder Stone.The giant stone stands at a height of about 30 feet (9.1 m) high and weighs around 2000 tons. There is a 19th century staircase which you can climb to the top. Also nearby is Castle Crag, a popular local climb which offers more fine views over Borrowdale from the summit.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
If you would like to extend your walk then you can continue north along the Allerdale Ramble and the Cumbria Way to Derwent Water. The waymarked trail runs along the western side of the water to Keswick.
You can also climb Scafell Pike from Borrowdale by heading south to Seathwaite. It's a popular route to the summit, taking in the famous Corridor Route.
Just to the north east of Castle Crag you will find the lovely Lodore Falls. The pretty falls are another highlight of the Borrowdale area. They are located at the south eastern end of Derwent Water.
Also nearby is Watendlath Tarn where there's woodland trails, waterside paths, an old packhorse bridge and a National Trust tea-room. Our Circular Walk from Rosthwaite will take you up to the tarn and also visits Dock Tarn and the Stonethwaite Beck. It starts from the National Trust's handy car park at Rosthwaite as does the Langstrath Valley Walk.
On the western side of Derwent Water is one of the best climbs in the Lake District at Catbells.
The climb to the distinctive fell of Glaramara starts from the Seatoller car park. From the summit there are wonderful views of the Borrowdale Valley, Derwent Water and Skiddaw.
Another highlight is the climb to Styhead Tarn and Sprinkling Tarn which includes a visit to the Taylor Gill Force Waterfall.
On the eastern side the climb to Walla Crag is another highlight of this lovely area.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Seatoller viewed from High Doat
Castle Crag
Quarry, Castle Crag. Looking to the Crags of Low Scawdel
Castle Crag Summit with cairn above rock mounted war memorial
Descending into Seatoller from the Honister Pass. The helmeted schoolgirls were about to go "canyoning" in Hause Gill and were being briefed by their instructors.
River Derwent, Borrowdale. View of the River Derwent from the path near the Chinese Bridge, Derwent Water is just beyond the trees, Skiddaw is in the background.