This walk starts from the Roman fort, Hardknott Castle, and crosses grassy slopes to reach Eskdale Needle, a dramatic 50-feet rock formation. The route then makes a short climb to the summit of Hard Knott before visiting Border End. After descending to the brow of Hardknott Pass and a brief walk, west, along the pass, a delightful path returns you to the fort. A final reason for visiting Eskdale is that the cuckoos have arrived.

Park in the layby at the foot of the path that leads to the fort, grid reference 219014.

If this is full there are other laybys nearby or use a favoured parking area at Jubilee Bridge, grid reference 213012, though this involves a considerable climb to reach the fort.

1 From the parking area, walk up the path to the fort. Here spend some time exploring, making full use of the information plaques. Then leave the fort by a gap in the wall in the top north-east corner. Bear a little left to pick up one of several paths that take you towards, but not up to Border End, the bulky fell ahead. Where the main path turns away, right, at the foot of Border End cliffs, go on ahead, keeping roughly parallel with, but well away from, the edge of the slopes down into lonely Upper Eskdale. Pass through a gap in a very short wall. Beyond, there is no direct path. Instead go ahead on trods that take you around damp areas and rock strewn ground, finding the easiest way.

2 Eskdale Needle remains hidden for much of your approach route but after roughly half a mile from the fort you can see it well up the slopes below Hard Knott. Head on, remaining low, crossing narrow ridges and small streams before winding up to sit beside the Needle for a well-earned break. Before setting off for the summit of Hard Knott, don’t forget to take some pictures.

3 Climb up above the Needle, keeping it on your left, winding half right on an indistinct path and then sheep trods up a gill. Near the top curve around left to join a good path that has traversed the wide high-level ridge. Keep left and in a few steps, take a small path, right, which leads up for a very short way through the low crags of the pyramidal top to the summit cairn (1,803-feet). Enjoy the dramatic view. Return down to the obvious path and bear right across the ridge, which can be boggy on either side. Follow the path to the cairn on Border End from where there is a splendid view down the Eskdale Valley.

4 Return down the path and follow it as it descends to a stream, which you cross. Follow the stream down and curve around a large crag. Go through a small wall and drop down a wide, steepish way to arrive at the huge cairn on the summit of Hardknott Pass. Walk right, continuing with the cairn to your right, using the grassy verge on the left. At the top far corner of a huge bend a signpost directs you, right, away from the road. After a muddy and indistinct start, it climbs a little to becomes a good grassy path. Carry on through the bracken and follow the path where it bends left to cross a wide sheep pasture towards the wall of the fort. Here descend left before it to reach the Bath House and then on to the road and down to your vehicle.

Information

Distance: 4.5 hard miles

Time: 3-4 hours

Height gain: 1,240-feet

Terrain: Few distinct long paths, but many little ones. Wonderful views - don’t forget your camera.

Map: OS Explorer OL 6

Refreshments: The Woolpack, Eskdale.

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.