Situated between Eskdale and the Duddon Valley is a delectable area of water, Devoke Water. It is a fisherman’s paradise, very quiet and surrounded by low lying hills. It is a special place.
Hidden away on Birker Fell to the south of Eskdale lies Devoke Water. It is the domain of fishermen, bird watchers and in fact anyone wanting to experience some peace and solitude. I visited the higher ground of Water and Rough Crag to the north principally for the lovely views up Eskdale and on to the Scafell range. Being near the marvellous Duddon Valley also helps.
Devoke Water itself is a large tarn nearly one mile in length which houses brown trout and perch for the connoisseur (fishing rights from Millom Anglers) .It is possibly the largest tarn in the Lake District. I only say possibly as there is sometimes some dispute as to when a tarn becomes a lake with a slightly arbitrary height measurement used.
As well as offering an excellent short walk Devoke Water has a number of ancient bronze age settlements and surprisingly the most radio active brown trout in the country (for no apparent reason). However for the walker it is the peaceful surroundings and great views which attract – something unusual on such a large expanse of water.
A full week or long weekend’s walking holiday either in the Duddon Valley or Eskdale would be superb. Enjoy short walks like this with longer such as Scafell or Dow Crag.
After crossing the stream at the inflow of Devoke Water at its west end head directly north up Water Crag. It is trackless, as is the crossing to Rough Crag.
Just got back from this. Was filthy and brilliant. Very boggy on the first leg, but well worth the views from Rough Crag at the end. Even up in the low cloud base it was a great walk.
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