Six Walks to do from Windermere…

Although Windermere isn’t surrounded by mountain hikes, the area is still a beautiful spot for lowland lake walks, exploring woodland trails and smaller hills. 

  • Gummer’s How 

Distance: 3km Time: 1 hour Difficulty: Easy

A little hill standing on the eastern shore of Windermere, Gummer’s How is a gentle hill walk with a short scramble to the top which offers beautiful views over lake Windermere. The route starts at the car park on the road opposite Fell Foot Park around 10 minutes away from Windermere village and follows a well signposted path to the summit.

  • Orrest Head 

Distance: 3km Time: 1 hour Difficulty: Easy 

A must-do hike when visiting Windermere, Orrest Head is a small hill famous for being the first Lakeland hike of famous author Alfred Wainwright. The hill sparked the writer’s love for the Lake District and its fells, inspiring him to ultimately relocate to the lakes and begin writing his legendary guidebooks. It’s easy to see why Wainwright was so inspired by Orrest Head; the summit provides a stunning viewpoint across Windermere lake and has a few benches to rest your legs and enjoy the view. The path to the summit begins at Windermere Village Tourist Information Centre and is clearly marked and easy to follow. 

  • Windermere Western Shore path to Wray Castle 

Distance: 12km Time: 3 hours Difficulty: Easy

To explore the western shoreline of lake Windermere, you can catch a ferry from Bowness to the start point nearby Ferry House. From here, a track leads you to the flat, lakeshore path, which finishes at Wray Castle. At the castle, you can enjoy a coffee and a cake before heading back to the start. If you don’t fancy walking back, you can return via one of the Windermere Lake Cruises.

  • Blelham Tarn 

Distance: 4km Time: 2 hours Difficulty: Easy

A remote walk away from the crowds, the circular hike to Blelham Tarn begins at Wray Castle, following a woodland trail rising up High Tock How finishing at the tarn and returning via the lakeside. The tarn is a tranquil place surrounded by active wildlife however the water often experiences blue-green algae blooms making it dangerous to swim in for both humans and dogs. 

  • Ash Landing and Claife Heights Walk 

Distance: 12km Time: 4 hours Difficulty: Medium  

An adventurous, elevated hike exploring the western shoreline of Lake Windermere alongside the dramatic viewpoint at High Blind How. The route starts at the National Trust Ash Landing car park and follows a footpath passing the ruins of Calife Station and through woodland eventually reaching High Blind How. The hills summit offers classic, stunning views over Windermere before dropping down to woodland and finishing along the waters shoreline. 

  • Wansfell Pike 

Distance: 11km Time 4 hours Difficulty: Medium

The nearest Wainwright to Windermere, Wansfell Pike can be reached via a long walk from the village, visiting Ambleside at the finish before returning to Windermere town. Starting at the visitor centre, head over to Orrest Head, dropping down the other side via Longmire Road into Troutbeck. Follow the path to Wasnfell Pike via Nanny Lane, taking in stunning lake and mountain views on the way! The steep descent from the summit into Ambleside passes by Stockghyll Force before reaching the village. Here you can grab some lunch and refreshment before heading back to Windermere. If you don’t fancy the challenging 11km hike back, you can catch the bus back.