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View down a rocky river, lined by stunted trees in autumn colours, with green Cumbrian fells rising in the background
Hayeswater Gill above Hartsop, near Ullswater | © National Trust
Lake District

Hartsop to Hayeswater Gill trail

Hayeswater Gill runs down from Hayeswater Reservoir, which once fed into north-west England's water supply. From Hartsop village near Ullswater, follow the beck up to the reservoir on a circular walk surrounded by towering Lake District fells. Discover local mining and milling history as you go.

Total steps: 9

Total steps: 9

Start point

Hartsop village car park, CA11 0NZ, grid ref: NY410130

Step 1

From the car park, take the gate in the corner and follow the track past the sheep pens on your right. Proceed along the tarmac road with views of Grey Crag ahead and Hartsop Dodd to the right.

Step 2

After crossing the cattle grid, keep to the tarmac road and you will come to a gate. Once through the gate, follow the road until you come to the old filter house, which once filtered the water from the reservoir.

Step 3

Take the path below the filter house and follow it down to the beck (stream) coming down from Hayeswater.

Step 4

Cross the beck using the small footbridge and climb up to the main track ahead. Once on the track, if you wish you can carry on up to Hayeswater Reservoir, which is about a third of a mile (600m) away.

Step 5

If you don't carry on to the reservoir, turn back down the track and follow it down through a gate and to the bottom of the slope, passing an old hogg house as you go. After walking a short distance you will cross another bridge.

Step 6

A short distance after crossing the bridge, turn left down the field with the beck on your left. You will now see in front of you several stone piers, which supported a wooden trough carrying water to the wheel pit below.

Step 7

When reaching the wheel pit at the bottom of the field, you can see Myers Head Lead Mine – a walled structure across the beck. Turning right and keeping the beck on your left, follow the path until you come to a wicket gate in the wall.

Step 8

Once through the wicket gate, bear right and follow the drier grassy path over a little footbridge towards another stone structure. This is the old corn mill with the sandstone wheel still visible in the ground.

Step 9

Carry on past the corn mill and you will re-join the tarmac road with the sheep pens ahead. Follow the track back to the start of the walk and the car park.

End point

Hartsop village car park, CA11 0NZ, grid ref: NY410130

Trail map

Ordnance Survey map of the Hartsop to Hayeswater Gill trail
Map of the Hartsop to Hayeswater Gill trail | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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near Watermillock, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0JS

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