Six Walks to do from Ravenglass…
Due to Ravenglass being a coastal town in the Lake District, walks from here can range from stunning seaside hikes to big, craggy mountain days! The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway (locally known as La’al Ratty) provides endless opportunities for hiking in the area, using the stops to explore the area between Ravenglass and Dalegarth. Wainwright even wrote a guidebook called ‘Walks from Ratty’ describing 10 walks that can be enjoyed from various points on the railway. Here are a few to get you started…
Ravenglass coastal loop
Distance: 4km Time: 1 hour Difficulty: Easy
Explore the shores of Ravenglass on this short, easy loop for all the family. The route starts from the village’s main car park and heads towards the Roman Bath House, following a footbridge over the main railway line. Here, you will pass a playground where your little ones can have a play! Continuing on, a footpath passes through a campsite before reaching the impressive Roman ruins. Take the road towards Knott View and Newtown later joining the Cumbrian Coastal Way. The path soon loops back round, following the beach back to Ravenglass car park.
Ravenglass to Muncaster Castle Circuit
Distance: 7.6km Time: 2 hours Difficulty: Easy
This a great scenic walk starting at village of Ravenglass, exploring the Roman Bath ruins, Muncaster Castle and Muncaster Mill before returning to the coastal village. The route starts at the car park just past the Ravenglass railway bridge and follows good paths and tracks across fields ending at Muncaster Castle and St Micheal’s Church before returning. The footpath passes The Ratty Inn beside the Ravenglass station providing the perfect pint reward when you return!
Miteside Halt
Distance: 3km Time: 1 hour Difficulty: Easy
For a short, relaxing hike away from the crowds, catch the train to the Miteside Halt station and follow farm tracks and ancient footpaths, which have connected local farms for centuries. Some of the road in the route, including The Old Vicarage and Crag Farm represent the age and past of the roads. Start the route from the station and take the public footpath to Gasketh, then on to Moorgate, Cuddys Fields and Wood End before retuning in a loop back to Gasketh.
Parkgate Tarn from Murthwaite Halt
Distance: 5km Time: 2 hours Difficulty: Medium
Grab the train from Ravenglass and visit the Murthwaite Halt station to begin a picturesque hike up to Parkgate Tarn. The route follows farmland and woodland trails from the station before reaching the tarn. The tree lined tarn sits in the woodland of Irton Park. If you packed your swimwear, have a dip in the lake and picnic in the woods before heading back and catching the return train to Ravenglass.
Dalegarth to Ravenglass
Distance: 12km Time: 4 hours Difficulty: Medium
For a little challenge, grab the train from Ravenglass to Dalegarth and save yourself the return fair by walking back to Ravenglass village! The route follows the Eskdale Trail and is well signposted all the way back. You can choose to visit Stanley Ghyll Waterfall before heading through stunning woodland and alongside the river Esk. There are a number of pubs on route for a break and refreshment stop!
Scafell Pike from Eskdale
Distance: 8.6km Time: 4 hours Difficulty: Medium
When staying in Ravenglass, why not tackle England’s highest mountain? From Ravenglass, you can take a ride on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway all the way to end at Boot. This route is one of the quietest ways up to the summit of Scafell Pike through the unspoilt valley of Eskdale and Great Moss. The route follows a secluded path alongside the River Esk to Great Moss in Upper Eskdale and climbs beneath Heron Crag. Once gaining height and passing the rocky gorge that carries the river Esk, the Scafells appear on the skyline. At Green Crag, the path follows through marshy ground before scrambling up to the summit of Pen. A further climb up Rough Crag from is required before you reach the summit of Scafell Pike. Return the way you came back to Dalegarth and catch the return train to Ravenglass.