Shuttlebus parked up in Wasdale

Wasdale Explorer

The Wasdale Explorer Shuttle Bus will start again on 18th April and run until 21st September 2025 FREE of charge. 

If you have any questions please get in touch

Take the Wasdale Explorer and make your visit to Wasdale easier and better for the climate, the community and the landscape. Parking in the valley is very limited, but you can catch the shuttlebus to Wasdale Head. Wasdale Head is the starting point for walks to Scawfell, Scafell Pike, Great Gable and other fells as well as Wastwater. This year the bus will be running to Muncaster Castle and Gardens, providing links to this great historic  house. We've included more journeys that link up with Ravenglass train station, where there's lots of parking and you can travel to catch the bus along the scenic Cumbria Coast railway line.

Check train times before you travel on National Rail.

The bus is a 22 seat vehicle with space for a pushchair/folding wheelchair . Dogs are allowed on the bus.

Be Adventure Smart

If walking in Wasdale (and anywhere else!) please be adventure smart.

Ask yourself 3 questions before you set off:

– Am I confident I have the KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS for the day?

– Do I know what the WEATHER will be like?

– Do I have the right GEAR?

Note that there is no mobile phone or  WiFi coverage in many parts of Wasdale so please do not rely on your phone for navigation and we advise you to download or cache the bus timetable information below before you travel.

The Wasdale Explorer  Route

The bus departs from the bus shelter in the LDNPA car park just west of Ravenglass Station, before going to Muncaster Castle, picking up at the car park entrance, Holmrook, Gosforth (bus shelter in Petton Place), then travels to Nether Wasdale picking up wherever it is safe to do so. It then picks up at the car park in Nether Wasdale, travels to Wasdale Head via Bengarth junction picking up anywhere safe to do so including marked stops at the following: Opposite the entrance to Church Stile camp site, Greendale, Lake Junction signpost,  Overbeck car park, Road end of NT Wasdale Campsite and Wasdale Head Green.

Wasdale Shuttle Bus Timetable 2025

Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays 18th April to 21st September 2025

Operated by Reays Coaches Ltd.

Ravenglass, village car park, bus shelter0845 1045 12251355    
Muncaster Castle, car park entrance0850 1050 12301400     
Gosforth,  village bus stop,  Petton Place0900 1100 12401410     
Nether Wasdale, car park0920102011201220130014301450155016301730 
Wasdale Head, the  Green0950105011501250133015001520162017001800 
Wasdale Head, the Green0950105011501250133015001520162017001820
Nether Wasdale, car park1020112012201320140015301550165017301850
Gosforth, village bus stop, Petton Place 1140 1340   1710 1910
Muncaster Castle, car park entrance 1150 1350   1720 1920
Ravenglass,  Village Car Park, bus shelter 1155 1355   1725 1925

bus route

Read Phil's blog

Read about Phil's day out with his wife when they hopped on the shuttle bus for a visit to the Wasdale valley.

A flat bottomed valley with braken and trees on the hillsides

Guide to Wasdale, Wastwater, West Coast

Our guide to this dramatic valley has easy flat walking routes and hikes up some of the Lake District's highest fells. Where to hire bikes, where to camp and where to stay in Wasdale, Eskdale and Ravenglass.

Map showing walking routes from the Wasdale Shuttlebus - linking the lake to Nether Wasdale.

Wasdale shuttlebus parked up with mountains in background