Boredale runs in a northerly direction for a distance of 4.5 km from its head at Boredale Hause to its convergence with the valley of Martindale. It is a thinly populated valley with the structures of Garth Heads, Howsteadbrow, Nettleslack and Boredale Head being the only inhabited buildings in the valley.
Boredale stream runs northward for 4.5 km from its source at Boredale Hause to where it meets the Martindale valley. The area is relatively isolated with only a few homes scattered along the valley floor at Garth Heads, Howsteadbrow, Nettleslack, and Boredale Head.