Steam to the Hills [Ravenglass] - National Park Guided Walk

Steam to the Hills [Ravenglass] - National Park Guided Walk

A 6 hour volunteer-led guided walk that starts on a steam train up the Eskdale Valley and returns across Muncaster Fell. Some rough terrain.

By Lake District National Park Authority

Date and time

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:00 - 16:00 GMT+1

Location

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Station

Railway Station Ravenglass CA18 1SW United Kingdom

About this event

  • Event lasts 6 hours

Start point: Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway (La'al Ratty) Station

Length: 13.3 km (8.3 miles) with 314m (1030ft) of ascent

Time: 6 hours (approx.)

Walk grade: 5 (see grade description below)

The railway journey on the historic narrow gauge railway takes us through spectacular scenery along the Eskdale valley. The challenging walk leaves Dalegarth along the Eskdale Trail and passes archaeological remains from different eras including a Bronze Age burial cairn and the remains of a Tudor longhouse. The route then climbs to Muncaster Fell and onto its summit on Hooker Crag. Finally we walk down to Muncaster Castle and follow a trail back to Ravenglass which passes a Roman Bath house. On a clear day the views of the mountains and the sea are first class.

We will be catching the 10:25 Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway (La'al Ratty) train from Ravenglass to the terminus at Dalegarth.

You will need to purchase your own train ticket(s), preferably online in advance. The cost for the train is £16 for adults and £11 for children.

The fells can be wet and boggy. The walk has detours to avoid the worst parts, and most of the walk is on reasonable paths and tracks.

Grade 5 walks are our most challenging full day walks which involve going onto the fell summits. These walks require a good level of fitness and full walking kit appropriate for the weather conditions. Some people may find walking poles useful. You may encounter sustained climbs up some steeper sections. The surfaces can be rough and uneven, with rocky or muddy sections, irregular steps, stiles or narrow gates and gaps.

Participants will need to dress appropriately for the terrain and weather and bring a packed lunch.

Your confirmation email will include full details - please read it carefully.

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Grade descriptions

All our walks are graded from 1 to 5, to ensure you can choose the walk that’s right for you. But what does each number mean? The grades are based on a combination of factors including: terrain, accessibility (gates, stiles, path width), gradient, length, duration, total ascent and highest point.

Families are welcome on all of our walks, but not all are pushchair friendly so please read the route descriptions.

Grade 1

Walk length: 3 – 7 km (1.8 – 4.5 miles)

Approximate duration: 1.5 to 2.5 hours

Grade 1 walks are easy and accessible walks that go at a leisurely pace and follow generally flat or rolling paths with gentle hills. The paths are wide, firm and have no barriers to access such as steep sections, steps or stiles. The walks are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

See all Grade 1 walks

Grade 2

Walk length: 3 – 5 km (1.8 – 3.1 miles)

Approximate duration: 2 to 2.5 hours

Grade 2 walks are around villages and are focussed on a tour of historical and other points of interest. They may include some short ascents and descents. The path surface might be pavements, earth, grass or stone and – while generally firm – it may have some loose or uneven sections, or be soft underfoot after rain. You may also encounter steps, gates and narrow sections. Most of our grade 2 walks are very suitable for families, and some are pushchair friendly (please check route descriptions).

See all Grade 2 walks

Grade 3

Walk length: 4 – 8.7 km (2.5 – 5.5 miles)

Approximate duration: 2.5 to 5 hours

Grade 3 walks may include some moderate ascents and descents. The path surface might be earth, grass or stone and – while generally firm – it will have some loose or uneven sections, or be soft underfoot after rain. You will also encounter steps, gates or stiles and narrow sections. Most of our grade 3 walks are suitable for families.

See all Grade 3 walks

Grade 4

Walk length: 6 – 12.5 km (3.7 – 7.8 miles)

Approximate duration: 4 to 6 hours

Grade 4 walks are generally full day walks that include hilly ground and require a reasonable level of fitness. You might encounter climbs up some steeper sections. The surfaces may be rough and uneven, with rocky or muddy sections, and you may also find yourself walking up irregular steps, over stiles or through narrow gates and gaps.

See all Grade 4 walks

Grade 5

Walk length: 7 – 13 km (4 – 8 miles)

Approximate duration: 4 to 6 hours

Grade 5 walks are our most challenging full day walks which involve going onto the fell summits. These walks require a good level of fitness and full walking kit appropriate for the weather conditions. Some people may find walking poles useful. You may encounter sustained climbs up some steeper sections. The surfaces can be rough and uneven, with rocky or muddy sections, irregular steps, stiles or narrow gates and gaps.

See all Grade 5 walks

Locations

We have guided walks across the Lake District National Park, from Keswick, Ullswater, Thirlmere and Buttermere in the Northern Lakes, to Windermere, Coniston, Grasmere, Ambleside, Hawkshead, Eskdale and Ravenglass in the Southern Lakes.

Donate to the National Park

All our walks are free to book. If you wish to make a donation to give back to the National Park, you can do so via the Lake District Foundation.