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Dalegarth Station
Directions
Walk out of the car park and turn left.
Follow the road down to a junction and turn left (signposted
'Stanley Ghyll and Dalegarth Falls). Follow the road over
a stone bridge (Trough House Bridge) crossing the River Esk.
Pass a small car park. The road now becomes a rough track.
Beside a gateway turn left, following the sign to Stanley
Ghyll, Birker Moor and Waterfall. Go through a gate where
the path bends left. Where several paths cross, continue straight
ahead to walk alongside a wall. Go through a gate into the
woods at Stanley Ghyll.
Follow the path across a plank bridge and continue up the
wooded gorge to a footbridge. Cross to the opposite bank then
walk up to a second bridge leading back to the right side
of the gorge. Go up to a third bridge, from where you will
gain your first sight of the falls. Cross the bridge and up
the rocky path to overlook the falls pool. Walk back a short
way from the bridge and, before the path goes down, take the
alternative path on the left leading uphill.
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Cross a small bridge and continue up some steps. As you approach
the head of that small side valley turn sharp right (hairpin)
and follow the narrow path to the top of the bank. This alternative
path offers cameo glimpses of Eskdale, through the trees,
and leads back to the main path at a T-junction.
Turn left onto the main path and re-cross the plank bridge.
Where the river sweeps right and the path sweeps left, continue
straight ahead through the trees. You will soon see a footbridge
on your right.
Cross the footbridge and go through a gate. Follow the path
straight ahead under the gaze of Hartley Crag. Cross a stream,
which brings you to a ford crossing the River Esk opposite
St Catherine's church. Go right through a gate and follow
the path alongside the river, veering right after a few yards
to mount the top of the bank.
Pass an iron and wooden bridge that crosses a gorge section
of the river and continue along the same bank. When you come
to a wall, turn right and climb up to another broader path.
Turn left and go through a gate. On the right is Gate Crag.
Follow the broad path parallel to a wall. Pass a line of conifers
enclosing a quiet pool. Go through a gate and over a footbridge.
Continue between stone walls until the path sweeps left and
passes in front of some cottages. Go over a cattle grid and
on down to cross a stone packhorse bridge (known locally as
Doctor's Bridge).
Turn right over the bridge and follow the short road back
to the 'main' Eskdale road. Turn left at the T junction and,
after about ¼ mile, turn right into a footpath signposted
' Stoney Tarn via Eel Tarn' (this is one of the possible routes
to Scafell). Follow the path up and, where it splits, take
the bridle path towards Boot. On the hill opposite (left)
you will see the cascade of Birker Force pouring down the
cliff face.
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