Stanley Ghyll Waterfall – Stanley Ghyll Trail loop from Eskdale

Hiking trails & Routes

Stanley Ghyll Waterfall – Stanley Ghyll Trail loop from Eskdale

Easy

4.9

(52)

276

hikers

Stanley Ghyll Waterfall – Stanley Ghyll Trail loop from Eskdale

01:21

4.69km

110m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 6, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Lake District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

923 m

St Catherine's Church, Lake District

Highlight • Historical Site

947 m

St Catherine's Church and Stepping Stones, Eskdale

Highlight • Religious Site

Everyone loves stepping stones

Tip by

1.75 km

Stanley Ghyll Waterfall

Highlight • Forest

This is a beautiful walk up through Stanley Ghyll which is a stunning gorge with a constant sound of tumbling waterfalls.

Tip by

1.93 km

Stanley Ghyll Trail

Highlight • River

Stanley Ghyll flows down from Birker Fell to the River Esk near Boot. There is a steep path which follows the stream and passes the spectacular Stanley Force.

Tip by

2.03 km

Stanley Ghyll Force Waterfall

Highlight • Waterfall

Stanley Ghyll Force on Birker Beck south of Eskdale is a 20m high waterfall in a dramatic narrow gorge.

Tip by

3.32 km

Stone Bridge Over the River Esk near Dalegarth

Highlight • Viewpoint

The River Esk flows through Eskdale. Lovely paths follow the banks, giving access to the river for paddling or just to enjoy the view. Bit rocky and rough but not far from the road and great fun for kids.

Tip by

3.60 km

Dalegarth Stone Bridge Swim Spot

Highlight • Viewpoint

epic swimspot. I wouldn't recommend jumping off the bridge, it's not quite deep enough. I have seen it done but don't try it yourself!

Tip by

4.11 km

Dalegarth Station – Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

Highlight • Settlement

Good shop, cafe & toilets available too!

Tip by

4.69 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

2.83 km

1.02 km

648 m

139 m

Surfaces

1.56 km

1.39 km

1.03 km

329 m

289 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (140 m)

Lowest point (50 m)

Weather

Tuesday 6 October

12°C

5°C

30 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 10, 2025,Dalgarth station to Stanley Ghyll

A great walk, just be careful with young kids because there are some thin paths with drops, the platform to the waterfall gives a great view of it, not for anyone who is scared of heights. The stepping stones over to St Catherine's Church are difficult to get across.

June 22, 2023,Stanley Ghyll Force – Stepping Stones loop from Dalegarth for Boot

So glad we did it anticlockwise. We did the stepping stones across the river and then discovered there is a bridge 200 yards along. All adds to the fun