Ullswater Cumbria
Board a historic steamer then trace the lake shore on one of Wainwright’s most-loved paths.
DISTANCE: BOAT: 4.8 MILES/7.7KM | WALK: 6.6 MILES/10.7KM TIME: 4–4.5 HOURS LEVEL: MODERATE ASCENT: 198M TERRAIN:
After a relaxing boat journey, an undulating path skirts to the lake shore with some steep sections. Path is rocky and rooted in places.
Alfred Wainwright called this walk along Ullswater's south shore “the most beautiful and rewarding in Lakeland”.
Only accessible by boot or boat, the route meanders through woods and over hills with the rising skyline of the Helvellyn Range to the south.
1 ALL ABOARD
The cruises run by Ullswater ‘Steamers’ have been running for over 160 years, connecting various points along the lake’s 20-mile shoreline. The most southerly landing point is the quaint village of Glenridding – it’s here that this journey begins. Starting your day by boarding this historic ferry means you don’t have to worry about missing it at the end, so relax and enjoy the 35-minute boat ride to Howtown and the start of your walk. The views from the boat are fabulous. On the left shore is Glencoyne Wood, where Wordsworth saw those daffodils.
2 COOLING DIP
In need of sustenance? Disembark the Ullswater ferry at Howtown pier and head to the stone-walled Howtown Hotel tearoom (turn right on the road by the pier), serving sandwiches, soup, sausage rolls and cakes. To rejoin the way, take the track opposite the hotel turn-off.
Follow the signs to Sandwick. If you’ve worked up a sweat, you can jump off the rocks at Kailpot Crag and swim at Sandwick Bay. Follow the narrow, rocky, rooted path into Hallinhag Wood, passing three poetry-inscribed stones.
At Sandwick Bay, turn inland, crossing a beck to skirt Scalehow Wood. The path climbs as Scalehow Force waterfall gushes down, before curving right to the shore.
This straightish section to Silver Bay, another paddling point, gives expansive lake and islet views. Damselflies flicker above the water’s surface, and overhead you may spot nesting peregrine falcons.
One of the UK’s oldest herds of red deer roams the slopes of Place Fell; you’ll hear them bellowing later in the year in the rutting season.
3 LAST LEG
Turn right at Side Farm, across the green fields of the Patterdale Valley and over Grisedale Beck to the A592. To refuel, continue to the village centre for Helvellyn Country Kitchen’s burgers, wraps, salads, soup and sandwiches; Fellbites’ substantial sandwiches, including Cumberland sausage, or Let It Brew’s toasted baguettes, coffee, local ice cream and cake.