Our drawing of the route, over road and path data from OpenStreetMap. It shows where the walk goes and what it goes through. It is not a survey and not a navigation aid — carry OS Explorer on the hill.
Ten miles and close to five hours up the quiet western shore of Windermere, through the Claife plantations to Latterbarrow's cairn and back past Wray Castle - forest track for much of it, so it drains well and works in winter. Start at the Ferry House on the west bank, reached by the Windermere car ferry from Bowness, which takes dogs at no extra charge and saves the long drive round by Newby Bridge. Almost all of it is enclosed woodland and track where a dog can be off the lead, there is lake access at High Wray Bay for a swim, but the two fields below Latterbarrow are grazed and the forest is worked - keep to the lead if machinery is out.
A large lakeshore resort between Windermere and Ambleside, with its own marina and watersports centre. Dogs are welcome nearly everywhere on the estate: the exceptions are the Winander Club, both hotel restaurants and the spa, so plan meals around a room service tray or the bar.
Two and a quarter miles and an hour, 100 metres of climb on a surfaced zigzag that was rebuilt to be manageable in any weather - the standard first view of the lake and worth the modest effort. It begins directly opposite Windermere railway station, which makes it the easiest Lakeland walk in the county to reach without a car; the station car park is paid and the free roadside spaces on Ellerthwaite go early. The lower path is fenced and good for a lead-free stretch, but the top field is grazed and the summit rocks sit above a sudden drop on the north side, so leads from the last gate; there is no water on the route, so bring some.
The other hill out of Windermere town, quieter than Orrest Head because it faces away from the lake. From the station the lane climbs east past Lickbarrow, then field paths lead onto open ground and a small reedy tarn sits in a fold below the summit. The 232m top gives the whole length of Windermere one way and the Kentmere fells the other. The ground is grazed the whole way once you leave the tarmac, so this is a lead walk from the last gate onwards regardless of the season.
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