Location Guide Eskdale

The Eskdale valley is one of the quieter locations in the Lakes owing to its remoteness, but it’s one of the most spectacular, as Stuart McGlennon explains

- Stuart McGlennon

THE Lake District is full of spectacular locations, though for sheer ruggedness and remoteness the Eskdale Valley takes some beating. Alfred Wainwright described Eskdale as ‘One of the loveliest of Lakeland’s valleys, descends from the highest and wildest mountains in the district to the sands of Ravenglass in a swift transition from bleak and craggy ridges, to verdant woodlands and pastures watered by a charming river.’

The valley is notable for being one of few major valleys in the Lake District not to have its own lake, although several tarns are perched above the valley sides including Devoke Water, which is the largest tarn in the Lake District.