ELTERWATER was known to the Viking settlers as Elpt Vatn, which translates as Swan Lake.

It is usually the first of the lakes to be visited by wintering whooper swans and the graceful mute swans are resident.

The small, shallow stretch of water around three quarters of a mile in length, is never deeper than 50-feet and its bordering vegetation is ideal bird habitat. This is an easy walk with wonderful views of the Langdales and only very gentle undulations. Those who enjoy waterfalls - and who doesn’t? - will find not one cascade but two, adding to the many fascinating features you will find on this walk.

How to get there: From the A593 between Ambleside and Coniston reach Skelwith Bridge. Turn westwards on to the B5343 to Elterwater. There is a pay and display car park and also a large open space close to the Britannia Inn.

There are plenty of picnic places en route but the Britannia Inn is a popular hostelry, much more attractive now than it was in the 19th Century when it was an alehouse used by the workers in the local quarries and large gunpowder works, the latter one of the largest in Europe.

1 Begin at Elterwater village where you will find plenty of evidence of the old gunpowder and charcoal industry. Any timber can be used to make charcoal but the highest quality comes from the Juniper bush, which grows well in this area. By the 18th century the industry was in full swing and did not close down until the 1920s. Head out of the village towards Great Langdale Beck. Turn left at the bridge and follow the right bank. Above you are the wonderful backdrops of the Langdales. Look out for the spinning galleries, built out on stone steps from cottages to increase height in order to catch the last rays of sunlight.

2 Turn left over a bridge and follow a narrow road for about half a mile.

3 Look out for a sign opposite Fletcher’s Wood, leading off to the right. Who was Fletcher you might ask? In medieval times every male needed to be able to use a bow and arrow. We still have surnames such as Bowman and Archer while a Fletcher was a skilled artisan who fixed the feathers on to the flights of arrows.

Continue along the obvious and undulating path through stiles and gates. Cross a minor road and then the River Brathay.

4 After the Brathay, turn left along a footpath signed to Colwith and Skelwith. Cross over a minor road. The route passes through trees to Colwith Force, the latter word simply being the old Norse word for waterfall. There are few approaches to beat Colwith. The path descends to a 65-feet cascade set in a rocky ravine and sheltered by trees. Colwith, until 1974, formed the old county boundary between Lancashire and Westmorland.

5 Follow the obvious track signed Elterwater to reach Skelwith Bridge.

6 Turn left and then right through a slate workshop and along a narrow track to another impressive waterfall. What Skelwith lacks in height (only 20-feet) it more than makes up for in volume. Water from the Langdales crashes down to join the Brathay on its way to Windermere. The iron and wood footbridges provide excellent places to stand close to the water and enjoy the sights and sounds. You cannot, however, cross these bridges because they are only viewing points.

7 Keep the river on the left and follow an undulating track with spectacular views of the Langdales straight ahead. This is also the place to see the resident mute swans gliding gracefully from Elterwater and along the river. Pass through gates and stiles amid woodland and look at the beauty of Elterwater, which unfolds before you. Follow a solid track. Cross a substantial wooden footbridge and follow an easy stretch of level walking leading back into Elterwater village.

Map Reference: OS Explorer OL 7. Car park at GR 331048.

Length: 5 miles Time: allow 2½ hours 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.