Beautiful walks in the Windermere area
There are several picturesque walks that can start at St John’s Lodge. One of the finest in Windermere is the spectacular Orrest Head – considered to be one of the Lake District’s most perfect viewpoints. Other walks take you to the tumbling waterfalls at Millerground and Sherriff’s Walk and the Lake Shore.
Orrest Head – (round trip of approx 1 hour, 30 mins)
Stroll up through Windermere village until you reach the Queens Pub, then follow the road to the right and walk to the top of the hill.
Cross the main road (A591) and you’ll see The Windermere Hotel and on the left a sign for Orrest Drive.
Follow Orrest Drive up the hill through the delightful woods and you’ll see rooftop views of Windermere village, the lake and surrounding fell views.
The gentle climb to the 239 metre peak has a paved footpath to make it easy for everyone.
The view is simply breath-taking. On a clear day, you can see the full length of Lake Windermere to Langdale, and even Scafell Pike!
Sheriff’s Walk – (round trip of approx 40 mins)
You have only to walk out of the hotel and cross the road to the enchanting and romantic woodland walk that is Sheriff’s Walk.
Go through the wooden gate that leads you along a footpath into Sheriff’s Walk. There you’ll find a walk along a cascading stream.
Keep following the stream and veer off right to find a bench that overlooks a waterfall.
Sheriff’s Walk links with other the roads and paths around Lake Windermere and Bowness village.
Bowness Bay – (round trip of approx 1 hour)
Turn left out of St John’s Lodge for a stroll down Lake Road and through the bustling village of Bowness.
Bowness boasts a variety of boutique shops, wine bars and traditional country inns. Only a few minutes further will bring you to the shores of Lake Windermere at Bowness Bay, where you will find boats for hire and steamboats to take you on a lake cruise with outstanding scenery.
You can feed the swans and ducks on the shore or treat yourself to an ice cream and admire Lake Windermere and the fells from the grassy fields and benches around The Glebe.
Brant Fell – (2-3 miles depending on route, beautiful views!)
Turn left out of St John’s Lodge and walk down to Bowness village. Turn left opposite Costa Coffee and head steeply up Brantfell Road.
At the top of this road go through the gate and continue up the hill. Magnificent views of the lake start here.
At the next gate turn right and follow the level path. This path leads you goes through another gate and climbs a small rise, where the view changes to the southern half of the lake.
Cross the stile and climb through the field for more magnificent views.
Millerground – (5 mins in the car and then a round trip of approx 1 hour)
Take your car or bike to Bowness and turn right at the mini roundabout in the centre of Bowness and onto the A592 signposted for Ambleside.
Continue along the A592 for 1 mile until you get to a small car park for 6 cars, on your left. Park and take the wooden gate into woods.
The winding path takes you through gorgeous woodland, past waterfalls, winding paths and onto peaceful lake shores with views of the mountains beyond
Watch out – the sunsets can take your breath away!
More ambitious walks in The Lakes:
The Lake District National Park has walks for every ability from ambles around lakes to high fells, ridge walks and scrambling. For beautiful mountain trails and rugged peaks, you’ll find guides and maps in the following links:
www.wainwright-walks.co.uk/wainwrights
www.golakes.co.uk/adventure-capital/walking-guides-download.aspx
