Little Lake District Walks with BIG views

These little walks in the South Lakes deliver big time on incredible views. They are perfect for when you don’t have time for a longer hike, for young families or for those who simply want a short walk without compromising on far-reaching views.

Gummer’s How                              1.5 miles

The walk to Gummer’s Howe near Newby Bridge is relatively short but steep in places (so not suitable for push-chairs). It’s a well-used route to a popular high point, popular due to its fantastic far-reaching views. Once you’ve made it up the straight-forward-to-follow pitched stone path, the lake views of Windermere and the fells beyond are simply breath-taking. There’s also ample parking in the Forestry Commission Car Park at the starting point for the walk.

From the car park, take the footpath leading north and uphill. The path soon meets the road. Cross the road and go through the gate on the opposite side. It’s then a simple pf case of following the stone path. After a steep section the path splits and you have 2 options – turn right to follow the path as it takes a gentler, sweeping approach to the summit or continue ahead on the slightly scrambly version up the craggy final section (on our map we went up the steep section then down the other way for variation). The summit is marked with a trig column. But be sure to explore the summit area fully – as the best views are slightly to the west of the trig point – from where you can see down nearly the full length of lake Windermere.

Orrest Head 1.8 miles

Legendary short walk from Windermere town centre. There’s also an accessible path for buggies and wheelchairs so everyone can enjoy the iconic view from this little summit that is modest in height but extravagant in views.

The walk begins near Windermere train station. Cross the A591at the pedestrian crossing and take the path clearly signposted to Orrest Head.

Follow the tarmacked path as it zig zags up the hill. There are various paths you can follow, depending on whether you need to take the accessible route or not. But all paths re-join further up the hill. As you leave the woods and approach the top, turn left towards the summit.

At the top there are lots of places to sit and enjoy the view as well as informative guide to the fells and mountains you can see from this stunning little spot.

Once the view has been well and truly soaked up, retrace your steps back down the hill towards Windermere village.

Hoad Hill, Ulverston 2 miles

There are various routes up to the striking monument which stands proudly on the top of Hold Hill. As this is a short walks blog we’ve gone for the direct route from Ford Park, Ulverston. A road running though the park lleads to a parking area. From here head north east, past Ford Park House and Base restaurant. When the path reaches Hoad Hill Lane turn left and then turn right up the steps and through the gate onto Hoad Hill. At the fork in the path take the left hand side to follow the path is it climbs up and across Hoad Hill. There are various benches en route where you can sit to catch your breath and enjoy the ever-widening view. The tarmacked path ends near the summit. Keep heading up along the grassy banks towards the monument. At the top they are places to sit and enjoy the coastal and mountain views. There’s also a map of the Lakeland District fells which outlines the fells visible. If you happen to visit while the monument is open, (usually Sundays) you can, for a small donation, take the stone spiral staircase to the very top where the view is even better! There are also refreshments available in the small shop inside.

High Cross, Coniston 3.6 miles (or shorter if preferred)

The forest tracks from High Cross Car Park make for easy walking all year round, as well as being accessible for families with push chairs.

The tracks on the highest, most westerly part of the forest offer gorgeous glimpses of Coniston Old Man and the Langdale Pikes through the trees. Part of Grizedale Forest, you can make this walk as long or as short as you like  – taking shorter or longer loops around the forest and back to the car park. We’ve kept this walk at 3.6 miles but if that’s a bit too long you can use the route map to plot a shorter circuit of the forest using the plethora of forest tracks.

The walks starts and finishes at the Forestry Commission Car Park on the highest part of the B5285 inbetween Coniston and Hawkshead – just opposite the junction to Tarn Hows. From the parking area, head south along the forest tracks. We turned a sharp left at a main junction at OS Grid Ref: SD 32561 96576

to begin the walk north to head back to the parking area but there’s options to turn back earlier or later should you want a shorter or longer walk.

Blea Tarn and Side Pike          2.5 miles

Views simply don’t get better than here at Blea Tarn, Langdale. Prepare for your jaw to well and truly drop once you catch sight of the Langdale Pikes across the water. You may recognise the view as featuring in the opening credits of BBC’s Countryfile, and it was no doubt chosen for its striking cinematic qualities.  The first part of this route is a mostly flat and accessible walk on a gravelled path alongside the tarn from the car park.  Blea Tarn makes for an extremely easy amble which can be enjoyed by all – who needs to hike for hours when you can stroll waterside in one of the most picturesque spots the country has to offer? 

If you fancy extending the walk slightly then a trip up to the summit of Side Pike offers further incredible views of the spectacular Langdale Valley. Any members of your walking party not wishing to climb to the top can wait at the foot of the small fell and spend a few moments soaking up the majesty of this impressive location. 

After the tarn, cross the road and head up hill on the well-defined path to the top at 330m above sea level. Once you’ve taken the appropriate number of selfies on the summit, retrace your steps to Blea Tarn and the car park.

Kelly Hall Tarn and Coniston Water from Sunny Bank   3.5miles

You may not have heard of Kelly Hall Tarn, but chances are you’ll recognise the view once you get there – it even features on the front of our new brochure!

From the tarn there’s out an outstanding view across the water to Coniston Old Man and the rest of the Furness Fells. The tarn is a very short distance from the car park by the garage on the A5084 near Torver. The walk continues over the high ground with far-reaching views, before heading down-hill through ancient woodland to Coniston Water lake shore.  At the lake turn right; the footpath then roughly follows the lake shore, weaving through woods, forests and gorse with the lake always to your left. At Sunny Bank Jetty the path turns right and heads back up hill towards Sunny Bank. The final, short leg of the walk is back up the road to the car park by the Range Rover garage (walkers with young children may wish to dispatch a designated car retriever to bring the car down the road to the layby where the footpath joins the road).