Tongue Pot Walk Parking and Postcode: Parking area near the foot of Hardknott Pass, Eskdale Lake District CA19 1TH
Tongue Pot What 3 Words: ///stumble.encourage.mailing
Distance: Approx. 4.3 miles return
Ascent: 150m
Difficulty: Easy
Time: Approx. 1.5 – 2 hours (return walk)
If you love to seek out secret swimming spots in the Lake District, the Tongue Pot walk in Eskdale won’t disappoint. Tucked away among the captivating landscapes of the Eskdale valley, this is one of the most beautiful hidden gems in the Lake District. Discover gin-clear fairy pools, cascading waterfalls and dramatic fell scenery on one of the best Eskdale walks.
Directions for Tongue Pot
- Park in one of the roadside areas close to the old red telephone box at the foot of Hardknott Pass.
2. At the telephone box, veer left and follow the trail through Brotherikeld Farm and alongside the River Esk, on your left. Follow the well-marked trail through pretty woodlands and the Eskdale valley.
3. As you continue along the path, the valley opens up and you’ll reach a series of small waterfalls and plunge pools, perfect for cooling down on a hot day. While the path is generally flat, it does begin to gently incline and become rockier underfoot. It’s not a difficult walk but you do have to watch your footing in parts.
4. After approximately 750 metres, pass through a gate and continue across trickling streams. There are sections that get quite boggy at times, especially if you head off the path towards the river.
The further you walk, the more mesmerising the scenery becomes as you find yourself embraced by rugged peaks.
5. After roughly 1.5 miles, you need to clamber over a large stile on a stone wall. Unless you want to wander down to the riverside pools, keep straight on along the top trail.
6. The path soon descends towards the river and in another half a mile, you reach Tongue Pot. Lying beneath a large tree on the riverbank, the emerald pool is a shimmering oasis where you can enjoy a wild dip among one of nature’s most beautiful settings.
7. But that isn’t all! Just a bit further up from Tongue Pot is an old stone packhorse bridge and the stunning Lingcove Beck falls. This is one of the most magical Lake District waterfalls and an ideal spot for soaking up the views and taking a well-earned break.
8. If you continue across the bridge, you’ll find even more fairy pools and waterfalls that are great for a spot of Lake District wild swimming and escaping the summer crowds. This part is extremely boggy so be prepared to get your feet wet!
If you want to stay overnight, Eskdale campsite is a great place to get your head down. And there are several Eskdale pubs for wetting your whistle after your hike.
