A short circular walk through Uldale Plantation and Nannycatch Gate in Cleator, Cumbria. This hidden forest on the edge of the Lake District National Park, offers views of Dent, Flat Fell and coastal panoramas. The path includes rugged forest tracks through ancient pines and explores the secluded Nannycatch Valley, once a glacial drainage route. This little known walk is great for a Sunday morning stroll with the family and dogs.
Walk Information
- Distance: 4.2km
- Duration: 1h30
- Ascent: +145m
- Level: Easy; however the path to go down on the main track is steep.
- Car Park: Car park at the end of the Nannycatch Rd, CA23 2ER, Cleator
- Child friendly: The path going down towards the river is a bit steep. Not pushchair friendly.
- Dog Friendly: Yes – can have sheep and cows, one stile with a dog gate.
- Amenities: No toilet.
Our adventure
Between bad weather, birthdays and other friends parties, we didn’t really have a lot of opportunities to go hiking in June. However, one sunday morning we had nothing planned and the weather wasn’t too bad so we decided to go somewhere local for a walk. Most of the time when we want to hike nearby our house, we go to Ennerdale lake. That morning I wanted some changes so I suggested to Matt to try the forest on the side of Dent summit. We did Dent summit a long time ago and just before having Marcus I did a walk with my colleagues in that area but since then we hadn’t been to that little forest and valley. It is crazy to be honest as it is on the way to Ennerdale but we never stop.
Find our walk around Ennerdale water on this page.
We drove up to the little car park at the end of nannycatch road by the entrance of the forest. I had in mind to do the same walk as the one I did with my colleagues as Matt had never done it but I remembered that it was a bit too long. Instead we decided to walk on the forest track. We didn’t really have a plan in mind so we kept walking on this large forest track for a little while until Matt saw a path on the left going towards a little summit. Checking my map I saw that once at the summit there was another path that was going down and was joining the large path at the bottom of Uldale forest. So here we went.
Find our walk to Dent summit here.
The summit was easy to reach but the path going down was very steep. Definitely not one to do when it is raining or in icy conditions. But it was short and soon we were again on a large track. This path passing at the bottom of Dent summit and Uldale forest is nice. The area feels very secluded and it is never too popular. We soon reach the famous nannycatch gate to enter another remote valley between the other side of Uldale forest and Flat fell summit. The scenery was lovely and we had some great views on the sea in the far distance. There were several sheep and cows along the path which distracted Marcus and allowed us to reach the car park without too much complaints from a tired toddler. Rain started as soon as we drove away. It was a short but still a great walk with lovely views. It was definitely what we needed that Sunday morning.
Linking this walk to Jo’s Monday walk.
Final Thoughts
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Download the free PDF and GPX of the walk here
Join the Conversation
Do you know this walk? Have you completed this walk, or do you know any similar or close-by walks you recommend?
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Our Lake District Escapades 
Feels like ancestral memories call me there.
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Thanks Rebecca. It is a very isolated place.
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Wow! Beautiful pictures of the countryside.
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Thank you Lynette
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It sounds like a good walk to do if you don’t want to go too far. A shame it was so cloudy but you still got some good photos.
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Thank you Eunice. It is only 15 min drive from Whitehaven and not too popular so it is very nice.
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Jolie randonnée…(Suzanne)
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Merci Suzanne
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That’s a place I have never been to, I know of Dent but never been around there
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There are plenty of nice walks to do in that area and it is not too popular which is great. Maybe an area to explore when you come back to the Lakes.
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Lovely description Mél of a lovely quiet area, I’ve been over Dent a couple of times on the Coast to Coast walk, once in blazing sunshine and then in the rain! 😀
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Thank you Jim. Yes we have use the large Coast to coast path at the bottom of Dent during that walk. It is lovely with the sun indeed.
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How did the toddler manage the steep bits? And do you know the origin of the name nannycatch gate, Melodie? Thanks a lot- I’ve just spotted the link to mine xx
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He managed by being in the backpack that his dad carried 🤣🤣.
I have no idea about the origin of the name. Do you?
You’re welcome Jo.
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I thought he might have cheated like that! Poor Dad! I don’t but I have a friend who lives in Dent village who probably does. Easier to Google it xx
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🤣🤣🤣
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Les paysages sont très beau, avec ce beau vert 💚
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Merci Marion.
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I’m sure your little one loved seeing the sheep and cows. Glad to hear you managed to make it back to the car before the rain.
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He is definitely an animal lover.
We did planned well indeed.
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Une randonnée qui a l’air bien sympathique 🙂
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Elle est courte mais avec de magnifique vues ce qui est parfait.
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Je t’avoue que je préfère les randonnées courtes avec de belles vues d’autant que souvent mon père vient avec nous et il a une canne…
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C’est sur qu’en famille c’est mieux les petites randonnées. Mais je dois dire que ça me manque un peu les longues randonnées de 5-6h. Un jour quand bébé sera plus grand nous en referons.
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Thanks for allowing me to get lost in the beauty of the countryside as I allowed your sojourn adventure to wash over me!
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Thank you for your nice message.
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