^^mWesiKe to 'TiM'astfnater, 141 



before we had fairly resolved our perplexities, and got once 

 more upon the rough but welcome descent into Langdale by 

 Rosset Gill' 



AMBLESIDE TO STRANDS AND WASTWATER, BY 

 WRYNOSE AND HARDKNOTT. 

 (25 miles). 

 There are three routes from Ambleside to j^ttattbg. First, 

 by the steamer to Lake Side Station, thence by the rail- 

 way through Ulverston to Drigg or Seascale, at which 

 places carriages may be obtained to take travellers on to 

 Strands. Secondly, by Coniston and Broughton and Esk- 

 dale ; visiting on the way Stanley Gill, — the grand waterfall 

 of the district ; — a distance of thirty-two miles. Thirdly, 

 the shortest, (that which we are about to describe,) by Cockley 

 Beck ; but it is fit only for good walkers, in fair weather. 

 There is no reason, however, why ladies should not achieve 

 it by taking ponies or a car, which they will quit in the steeper 

 and rugged parts. ^ 



* It is a great pity the road over Wrynose Gap is not made more 

 passable for conveyances, as it is by far the shortest route to Eskdale, 

 Wastwater, and indeed all the north-v^^estern part of the district, from 

 Ambleside and Windermere ; the materials are all at hand, and a very 

 little expense would render what is at present, and what in other districts 

 would be intolerable for any use, into a good carriage-road equal to that 

 over Kirkstone Pass. The people of the district are, however, so wedded 

 to old crags and so loath to spend their money, even in what would so 

 obviously improve their property, that we suppose it will be for the 

 strangers to teach them what is the law and their duty. One of the best 

 things that could come to the Lake District would be the formation of a 

 society for the purpose of insisting on the proper management of ancient 

 roads like this. There can be no doubt the magistrates would heartily 

 co-operate with hotel-keepers and others who might take this work in 

 hand. This road over Wrynose and Hardknott is perhaps the oldest in 

 the district ; and, within the memory of living man was the highv/ay 

 from London to Whitehaven ; and, when we look at the map, it is ob- 

 vious that a good road in that direction might still be of great value ; 



