Brockhole Walks:
from Brockhole to Waterhead
Jetty via Jenkin Crag
Distance:
Time:
Grade:
5 kilometres or 3 miles
2 to 3 hours plus boat trip
- pick up a timetable here
Moderate
Walking boots recommended. Take waterproofs,
water and food. Brockhole has a café and toilets.
START
1
3
Turn right on the road and in 20 metres
take the footpath left. The footpath climbs
steadily on an old green lane between two stone
walls. Turn right after the second step stile at a
T junction of paths. In 20 metres you reach
another T junction, you will see a stone step
stile ahead which leads
uphill to a small stone
pillar. Climb to the cairn
for a beautiful view of
Windermere, Coniston
fells and the Langdales.
Retrace your steps over
the step stile.
Leave Brockhole by the car park
entrance. Turn right and in 20 metres
cross the main road, take care, using the
crossing island. Turn left up the bridleway
(signpost Mirk Lane).
Continue ahead on
tarmac, curving right in
front of Merewood Lodge.
The tarmac becomes a
gravel footpath which
curves steadily left and
then right. Look out for
woodpeckers.
Turn right, and continue on this bridleway
4
slightly uphill. You will have a lovely view
along this track of Wansfell, the mountain ahead
2
farmyard by a gateway. Beyond the farmyard
pass through two gates. Continue on the
bridleway which contours round the hill with
lovely views over Windermere. You can see Wray
Castle on the far shore
of Windermere with
Blelham Tarn, and
Low Wood Bay
Hotel’s jetty on the
near shore. The
bridleway enters the
wood and starts to
descend.
The path drops down to a gate. Continue
over a small stream and follow the path
round the boundary of the property. Turn left
on the tarmac driveway and head up on the
bridleway through trees. Ignore the left hand fork
and continue straight ahead, keeping the wall
to your right and trees to your left. Look back at
the views opening over Windermere to the south.
The wooded hills over the lake are called Claife
Heights. To the right you can see the Coniston fells.
The bridleway drops slightly, and then climbs
again, emerging between farm buildings to reach
Holbeck Lane.
The Countryside Code
The land in the Lake District National Park
is nearly all privately owned and much of
it is farmed. Because of this it is especially
important that you use the Countryside Code
to guide your activities in the National Park:
Respect, Protect, Enjoy
•
•
•
•
•
Be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs
Leave gates as you find them
Keep dogs under close control
Protect plants and animals, and take your
litter home
Consider other people
The fields and fells of the Lake District are
pasture for sheep. Dogs do not have to attack
sheep to cause them harm, particularly from
the late autumn through to early summer
when ewes are either pregnant or with lambs.
Please keep your dog on a lead.
of you. After about 200 metres take the kissing
gate on your left, onto the bridleway (signpost
Skelghyll and Jenkin Crag). Continue downhill
passing through another kissing gate and wind
downhill on the path, cross over a stream and
reach bridle gates beside a stream.
Go through two bridle gates and turn
5
right over the cattle grid (gate to side)
and climb uphill on the tarmac lane. Enter the
6
Stick with the
bridleway through
this beautiful woodland,
gradually descending until
you reach a National Trust
sign for Jenkyn’s Crag on
your left. Go through the gap
on the wall and up to the
viewpoint. Take great care,
especially with children as
there is a steep drop at the end of the viewpoint.
7
Return through the gap in the wall and
turn left, continuing on the bridleway.
The track descends more steeply. Keep right at
the first fork, and zigzag down to reach a bridge
over a stream. Take care down the next rocky
section of the path. In 100
metres, look for a small building
in the woods on the right. Take
a left fork here and descend
with the lake directly ahead
of you. The path levels and
reaches a ladder stile in the wall
leading into the field. Continue
over the field to a gap stile in the
wall. You have a bird’s eye view of
Waterhead, your destination.
Cross the stile, turn right and continue
8
on the enclosed footpath which leads
downhill steeply between buildings to emerge
onto the main road. Take care to cross this road
to reach the Windermere Lake Cruises’ jetty
where you have a choice of boat or buses back
to Brockhole. It is safer to cross by walking a
few paces towards the traffic lights where you
have better visibility.
9
Return to Brockhole where you can enjoy
a well-deserved drink and cake in the café.
FINISH
Lake District
National Park
With its world renowned landscape, the
National Park is for everyone to enjoy, now
and in the future.
It needs a prosperous economy, world class
visitor experiences and vibrant
communities, which sustain the
spectacular landscape.
Brockhole Walks
Between the Lake District Visitor
Centre and Waterhead via Jenkin Crag
WATERPROOF
PAPER
Everyone involved in
running England’s
largest and much
loved National Park
is committed to:
• respecting the past
• caring for the present
• planning for the
future
Safe and sound
The weather in the Lake District can
change quickly and you should always dress
appropriately for your activity:
•
•
•
If you are walking wear strong boots, take
a rain jacket, some food and drink, a map
and a compass
Call the National Park Authority’s
Weatherline service on o844 846 2444 to
check the forecast before you leave
In case of an accident away from the road,
call 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue.
Weatherline: 0844 846 2444
Traveline: 0871 200 22 33
Lake District National Park Authority
Murley Moss, o xenholme Road
Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 7RL
Phone: o1539 724555
Fax: o1539 74o822
Minicom: o1539 79269o
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lakedistrict.gov.uk
Photographs by: LDNPA, Helen Reynolds,
Nina Claridge, Dave Willis, Adam Taylor
and Charlie Hedley.
Alternative
formats
can be sent
to you. Call
01539 724555
Designed by Designworks: www.thedesignworks.co.uk
Printed on recyclable biodegradable mineral base
synthetic paper. Publication number: o6/12/DW/5K
Combine a boat trip with a charming
walk, providing spectacular views
of Windermere and a glorious
woodland ramble.
MODERATE
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk
Brockhole Walks:
from Waterhead Jetty to
Brockhole via Jenkin Crag
Distance:
Time: Grade:
5 kilometres or 3 miles
2 to 3 hours plus boat trip
- pick up a timetable here
Moderate
Walking boots recommended. Take waterproofs,
water and food. Brockhole has a café and toilets.
START
1
Cross the car park to the A591. Turn left
for a few paces and cross. Go up the
ramp beside the Waterhead Hotel, through the
bollards and cross the main road with care. Turn
left and climb the steps to the footpath signed
Jenkin’s Crag. Head uphill between buildings,
the path then curves right to reach a gap stile
into a field. Look back at the bird’s eye view over
Waterhead. Cross the field to the ladder stile, cross
and climb uphill through the woods.
2
Continue over the first track and in 10
metres turn right uphill on this track. The
path is steep and rocky, until a bridge over a
stream. Continue uphill - ignore paths off to the
right and left. Soon after the path levels out, look
out for the National Trust sign on your right for
Jenkyn’s Crag. Go through the gap in the
stone wall and up
to the viewpoint.
Take great care,
especially with
children as there
is a steep drop
at the end of the
viewpoint.
Return through the gap in the wall and turn
3
right, to continue gradually uphill through
the woods on the footpath. The path eventually
Go back over the stone stile. Turn right,
6
and immediately left to take the green
track for about 10 metres, then turn left, over
emerges through a gate from the wood, giving you
beautiful views south over Windermere. The jetty
on the near shore of Windermere belongs to the Low
Wood Bay Hotel and on the far shore is Wray Castle
with Blelham Tarn next to it.
a step stile beside a gate to join another green
track downhill. Continue with the wall to your left
and climb over another step stile beside a gate to
join a track between two stone walls.
4
Pass through a gate and continue with
the path as it contours the hillside. The
wooded hills you can see on
the far shore of Windermere
are Claife Heights. Continue
on the track through High
Skelghyll farmyard and
downhill on the tarmac lane
to reach a stream. Look back
over your left shoulder to see
the mountain you have been
skirting, called Wansfell. Cross
over the cattle grid and
immediately take the two bridle gates to the left
and climb the meandering path ahead. Stick with
this path as it crosses a stream and a wall joins
you on your right.
You reach a kissing
5
gate, go through
and continue to a second
kissing gate. Look back to
your right to enjoy views
of the Coniston and
Langdale fells. Through
the second kissing gate
bear right and continue on the track. In
300 metres look out for a stone step stile through
the wall on the left, leading uphill to a small stone
pillar. Go up to the pillar for a beautiful view of
Windermere, the Coniston and Langdale fells. To
the south east you have a good view of the hills of
the Yorkshire Dales and the Howgills.
7
The green lane eventually emerges onto
a minor road. Here you have a wonderful
view down the length
of Windermere. The hill
you can see towards
the end on the left is
Gummer’s How. Turn
right on the road and
almost immediately
take the bridleway
left, down between
two farm buildings.
8
Continue on this bridleway, passing a
small wood. The path then drops more
steeply to reach a large property. Join the tarmac
path and at the private sign, turn right onto the
bridleway which skirts the building. Cross the
small stream, through the gate and climb uphill
on the bridleway. This meanders along the side
of the wood, before descending steeply to reach
holiday cottages and a lane.
9
Continue ahead to
reach the main A591
road. Turn right and cross
the road with care using
the crossing island. In 20
metres turn left into the
Brockhole car park.
Enjoy a well10
deserved drink
and cake in the café.
FINISH
Brockhole, the Lake
District Visitor Centre
Explore,
enjoy,
experience,
relax!
While you’re here:
Explore the historic gardens
and lakeshore grounds
Enjoy the daily activities and
weekend events – many free
Experience the vibrant
shop, crammed with local foods,
crafts and perfect gifts
Relax on the terrace with a
well-deserved drink and cake
Circular route between Brockhole and Waterhead Jetty via Jenkin Crag
and boat trip. Note: Jenkin Crag, previously Jenkyn's Crag.