Brothers Water


The Brothers Water walk starts from Cow Bridge, a turn off the A592. The Cow Bridge car park is easily missed if driving south from Patterdale because Brothers Water is not visible until it is too late. If the road has a left bend away from trees and towards open ground then look for either of two tracks on the right at the bend. Going north from the Kirkstone Pass, the car park is easily seen just beyond Brothers Water.

The path is wide but not completely smooth and it is just over one mile to Hartsop Hall, where we retraced our steps back to the car. One other option is to go around the back of Hartsop Hall and take a path across fields to Sykeside Campsite and the Inn at Kirkstonefoot.

The weather on the 5th March 2020 was absolutely perfect with blue skies and snow on the mountains. 		  Hartsop village 11:12 Looking towards The Knott, 2423ft and snow-covered


Path and Jenny 11:07 Path with my wife   The photograph on the left gives some idea of the path and the fact that my wife could easily do the walk with crutches after a knee operation shows how easy the walk really is.


You can leave the path to walk on the beach but may find it difficult to rejoin the path further on, without retracing your steps. 		  The Beach 11:14 Hartsop Dodd, 2028ft left and Middle Dodd, 2106ft centre


Hartsop with Brock Crags beyond 11:15 Hartsop Village is largely hidden but Brock Crags are clear   Brothers Water 11:34 Brothers Water


Satura Crag and Rest Dodd 11:37 Satura Crag and Rest Dodd with snow   Hartsop Village buildings 11:39 Hartsop Village buildings seen more clearly


High Hartsop Dodd and ridge to Dove Crag 11:49 High Hartsop Dodd behind the tree and distant snow covered ridge to Dove Crag and beyond


The whole walk from Cow Bridge to Hartsop Hall and back took us about two hours. We were walking more slowly than usual because of my wife's use of crutches and my stopping to take photographs also slowed us down so it could be done much more quickly.

The footpath is broad and firm with no difficult bits at all. We can thoroughly recommend it. 		  Jenny opens the gate at Hartsop Hall 12:12 Jenny Opens the gate at Hartsop Hall


Editor: Peter J. Cosker   peter@the2coskers.com   other Lake District walks   Updated: 08/09/2021