A day’s walk including a climb up Latterbarrow, ferry to Bowness and a cruise back down Windermere to Waterhead.

Clothing: Light waterproof/windproof jacket – depending upon the weather conditions, strong shoes or walking boots
Equipment: O.S. map, compass, whistle, binoculars
Refreshment stops: The Drunken Duck, The Outgate Inn, Bowness, cruise boat & Waterhead (many places!)
Conditions to be expected underfoot: tarmac, unmade tracks, loose stone, occasional damp or muddy parts, grass

Please check that the Ferry and Cruise boats are operating before you leave!
Ferry (015395) 54200
Windermere Lake Cruises (015394) 43360

For printed directions, please ask at Skelwith Fold Reception. These are available for a suggested £1.50 donation which goes to supporting The Great North Air Ambulance.

1. On leaving Skelwith Fold Caravan Park Shop and Reception Area turn left. Follow the red road to the barrier, through the gate (ignore the path to the left) and on to the junction (by the Post Box). Turn left up the hill and follow the lane towards Hawkshead and The Drunken Duck.
2. Cross the road and follow the lane (signposted Hawkshead and Ferry) for one mile to Outgate. Cross the main road to the Public Footpath gate to the right of the Inn. Continue along the footpath passing through four gates. The fourth gate leads to a meadow (signposted Hawkshead 1¼ miles.) Head down the meadow then up towards a gate leading into a wood. Follow the path through the wood to a gate. Look straight ahead to a telegraph pole, gate and stile, head over the field towards that gate, through a field towards a second gate and stile and down towards a farm. Pass through a gate and turn right. Shortly to pass through another gate leading to Loanthwaite Lane. Turn left for about half a mile to the junction. Turn Left and continue to the footpath sign to Latterbarrow on the right. Go through the gate and follow the rough path up the incline.
3. Where the path divides and take the path to the right. (There is a little scramble here!) The path crosses a very small wooden bridge then winds round a gentler incline roughly parallel to the wall on the right. Ignore the temptation to take any path to the left until reaching a stile. Do not cross the stile but take the wide, uphill, path that leads to the summit of Latterbarrow where your efforts will be rewarded by some wonderful views!
4. Descend by the same path to the stile and cross it to follow the undulating track through the remains of felled woodland. The track comes to a division, take the right fork uphill for a while until it levels out with a deer fence on the right. Continue following the yellow way markers until reaching a wall, turn right and in a few yards go through the gap in the wall on the left that leads down many steps. The footpath then climbs to eventually arriving at a bridleway, turn left. The bridleway descends to cross a forest track towards Belle Grange, continue downhill to cross the next forest track signposted Belle Grange. The bridleway continues towards Lake Windermere to join a wide track.
5. Turn right to The Ferry following the wide bridleway with the lake on the left. Eventually the track becomes a tarmac lane after the cattle grid. Soon the lakeshore becomes accessible with many attractive picnic spots.
6. Continue along the lane passing over another cattle grid and progress for half a mile until reaching a gate to a footpath to the left. Follow the path alongside the lake and then join the road. Turn Left and follow the road down to the ferry. (Toilets and refreshments here.)
7. Board the ferry (loose change for the fare is appreciated!). On landing follow the road to the footpath on the left to Bowness and Windermere. Continue to follow the Footpath to the sign on the left to Cockshott Bay and turn left. Continue along the path close to the lake to the metal gate leading to a road. The road passes several interesting shops and cafes eventually arriving at the town of Bowness. Here there are many shops and attractions.
8. Once Bowness has been explored head for Windermere Cruises and purchase tickets for a cruise to Waterhead at Ambleside. The half hour cruise offers some wonderful views of the surrounding countryside (and a well earned rest!)
9. On arrival at Waterhead turn left on leaving the ticket office area and follow the pavement round the edge of the lake. Continue along the road to the entrance to Borrans Park on the left. Continue through the park to the metal gate at the far end leading to a field containing Roman remains at Galava. The path continues to a gate leading to Birdhouse Meadow (NT) to the West of the archaeological site. The path continues over some boardwalks and through gates eventually arriving at the side of the River Rothay. Continue to the gate with a large footbridge on the left.
10. Turn left, through the gate and over the bridge. Turn Left on reaching the footpath by the bronze otter and continue along the road to Clappersgate. Turn left taking great care while crossing the bridge and negotiating the road until reaching the haven of the pavement! Continue along the road to the junction of a lane with the main road. Continue up the lane (Bog Lane) with the river on the right. Pass Brathay Church and continue along the lane passing a set of cottages on the left before a slight incline in the road. There is then a level piece of road for 200 yards until some stone steps on the left leading to a small gate. Go through the gate and follow the path through the woods of Skelwith Fold Caravan Park eventually arriving at the children’s play area. The tarmac road then leads back to the Reception and Shop.

Rambling and hill walking can be strenuous and it is up to you to approach it with caution and if you are inexperienced, to do so under appropriate supervision. You should also carry appropriate clothing, equipment and maps and wear suitable footwear. Details given were believed to be right at the time of going to press but neither the author nor Skelwith Fold Caravan Park can accept responsibility for inaccuracies or mishaps. Please keep to public rights of way and observe the Countryside Code.