Windermere Way
A 41-mile long-distance path in Cumbria which circumnavigates Lake Windermere, sometimes by the shore of the lake and sometimes in the surrounding hills. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SD 400 968
Distance: 41 miles (66 km)
Time: 16–20 hours
Duration: 3–4 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000):
OL7 The English Lakes – South Eastern Area
Summary
The Windermere Way is a 41-mile circuit of Lake Windermere in the Lake District. The route mostly follows footpaths and bridleways, though there are some short stretches of road walking. The walk circumambulates Windermere and includes just about all accessible lake shore paths together with ascents of the high points around the lake. The route is broken down into four sections that most people will manage in a day’s easy walking.
The Windermere to Ambleside walk starts at Bowness Bay and follows the lake shore northwards before ascending Orrest Head, dropping down again to cross Trout Beck, and then taking to the high fell tops, visiting Wansfell Pike, the highest point on the walk. Between Ambleside and Ferry House, the walk starts by climbing Loughrigg Fell, drops down again past Loughrigg Tarn onto a pleasant lakeside stroll by Wray Castle, and then climbs steeply again to give views from Claife Heights, finishing at Ferry Nab.
Between Ferry Nab and Lakeside, the route passes through Cunsey and winds along the western shore of Windermere, visiting High Dam at Finsthwaite before concluding at Lakeside Steamer Pier. The final stretch from Lakeside back to Bowness is the longest and doesn’t touch the lakeshore at all, but affords excellent views from Gummer’s How and lovely walking through the woods. The route connects with the Dales Way at Bowness and the Cumbria Way at Skelwith Bridge. (Source: Wikipedia)