Rutter Force walk - walks from Hoff

Route: Rutter Force

Area: Eden Valley

Date of walk: 22nd May 2016

Walkers: Andrew and Gilly

Distance: 6.0 miles

Ascent: 500 feet

Weather: Mostly sunny

The Eden Valley, being adjacent to the Lake District, doesn’t get the number of visitors it deserves. The scenery may not be as dramatic as its better known neighbour, but it’s stunningly beautiful – and quiet

I decided to visit Rutter Force having noticed it in a walking guide by Vivienne Crow ‘Walking in Cumbria’s Eden Valley’, one of the Cicerone guides, and which I’d highly recommend to anyone planning a walk in this area

Following the route described in the book, we parked in Hoff (which consists of a pub and a few cottages) and followed a path along Hoff Beck to Rutter Force, an idyllic spot as will be seen from the photos which follow. From there we walked through more glorious countryside to the wood known as Hoff Lunn

We emerged from the wood onto the B6260 and walked along the roadside for about 15 minutes to arrive back at the start. The roadside section is the only defect in an otherwise perfect walk, as drivers tend to travel along the road at quite high speeds. There wasn’t much traffic but it was intrusive – never dangerous though as there’s a wide grassy verge most of the way.

Don’t let this put you off, it’s a very small price to pay for a walk of the highest quality and one which we thoroughly enjoyed

Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)