Best route to Gillerthwaite from the South (A6, M6) or East (A65, A66) is via Keswick (or Keswick bypass).
Leave M6 at junction 40 (Penrith) and follow A66 to Keswick, or go through central lakes from junction 36 via A590-A591 to Keswick.
From the North (A7, A74, A69) go via Carlisle on A595 to A66, or through Cockermouth and over the roundabout to the A5086 Egremont road and join below at point 3.
PLEASE NOTE - some of these roads are not very coach-friendly, especially if you meet your alter-ego coming the other way!

• Bypass Keswick heading for Cockermouth on A66. 

• 12.5 miles from Keswick turn LEFT (South) at roundabout for Egremont A5086.
  Toilets and bar meals at the Lakeland Sheep & Wool Centre (if open). 
• Head south 6 miles, in Lamplugh, turn LEFT (not the 1st left) by row of cottages with street lamp. Signpost LOWESWATER 5, streetname CROSSGATES, and public phonebox on left.
  (Coach drivers should see the last paragraph below).
• In half a mile turn RIGHT then LEFT (staggered crossroads) for Croasdale. Go past the Inglenook Caravan Park where there is a small shop (if open). Some very sharp bends in the next 2 miles, then down steep hill (Cauda Brow) with more hairpin bends to T-junction. Turn LEFT.
• Into Croasdale (Crossdale on sign) other road comes from Ennerdale Bridge.
  Past the final public phonebox on left, follow road round to RIGHT.
• 2.5 miles to Ennerdale Forest and lake, over cattle grid, 200 metres to gate.
  End of public road (your Sat Nav may also finish here!). Bowness Knott car park on left.

THIS IS A WORKING FOREST, and there may be large harvesting and contractors' vehicles operating.
Occasionally there will also be other signs and obstructions to watch out for.

• Go through the gate - you are an authorised vehicle if you are visiting us.
  Please close the gate and observe the 15 mph speed limit. Rough forest track - mind your exhaust! Watch for pedestrians and don't create too much dust.
• 2 more miles to Ennerdale Youth Hostel, do a U-turn and return 100 metres.
  Bear left down Low Gillerthwaite track (see image), and seek out the Warden before unloading (Warden's flat is on the left).
  You may normally unload into the barn (large black doors on right), then please go through the gap to the car park, and park by the hedge.

If you are approaching from Cleator Moor or Kirkland via Ennerdale Bridge . . .
. . . from the school in Ennerdale Bridge, follow the signs towards Ennerdale Lake and Croasdale (or Crossdale, as one sign shows!). In the next mile, ignore the 2 right turns to Ennerdale Lake and the next right turn marked "Unsuitable for motor vehicles" (very narrow, rough, farm access road). Then after another meandering mile, enter Croasdale and follow the route above from point 5.

Coaches
Large coaches may have great difficulty navigating the sharp bends at point 4 above, down the LGFC access drive (see image) and in our yard. Coach drivers may prefer to stay on the A5086 and take the road via Kirkland and Ennerdale Bridge.
Your vehicle may be too long to turn around in our yard or car park - please consult the Warden before you set off. Coaches have been known to reverse down the track before now!