Lake District
National Park
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.
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
From Waterhead Jetty to the Lake
District Visitor Centre via Wansfell
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, Nina Claridge, Dave Willis,
Adam Taylor and Charlie Hedley.
Designed by Designworks: www.thedesignworks.co.uk
Printed on recyclable biodegradable mineral base
synthetic paper. Publication number: 1o/12/DW/5K
In 100 metres look out
for the sign and take
the public footpath
on the left. Go through
the metal kissing gate
and continue along
the walled and hedged
lane, then through the
second metal kissing gate
onto the tarmac lane and
turn left.
Brockhole Walks:
from Waterhead Jetty to
Brockhole via Wansfell
Distance:
Time: Grade:
9.5 kilometres or 6 miles
3 to 4 hours plus boat trip
- pick up a timetable here
Moderate.
Includes a steep ascent
Boat fare required. Walking boots recommended.
Take waterproofs, water and food. Brockhole has
a café and toilets.
START
1
Take the boat from Brockhole to
Waterhead. From the jetty walk left along
to the pedestrian crossing. Cross and walk up
through the large National Park car park. Climb
up the flight of steps at the right hand side of the
car park to the A591. Turn left and walk along
Lake Road for about 400 metres. Cross the road
when level with
Hayes Garden
Centre, taking
the Old Lake
Road. Continue
along Old Lake
Road past
the Mountain
Rescue on
your left and
Blue Hill Road
on your right,
until the road heads downhill. There are views of
Fairfield Horseshoe ahead.
Fifty metres from Blue Hill Road turn right
2
up Low Gale and climb the hill. Follow
the road round a right hand bend into High Gale.
Continue up the road now called Gale How Park.
Alternative
formats
can be sent
to you. Call
01539 724555
On reaching the
3
minor road turn
right to ascend the hill
round left hand bend.
Ten metres on, the road
becomes a footpath.
You can turn left for a
minor detour to look at
Stockghyll waterfalls opposite Kelsick building
on the right. There is a
viewing platform and a
picnic bench along here.
4
Return to the lane after detour and
continue uphill. Cross the cattle grid and
continue ahead. The Langdale fells now appear
over your left shoulder, with lovely views back to the
Coniston fells
too. Looking
ahead, you
may pick out
the roof of the
Kirkstone Inn
pub in the far
distance and
the pass that
goes over to
Ullswater.
Delight in a relaxing boat trip to
Waterhead. Climb Wansfell for
stunning views down Windermere,
across to Yorkshire and the coast, then
stroll back through historic Troutbeck.
MODERATE
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk
5
Just after
a wooden
bench on the
left, take steps
up to the right
and cross a stile
onto the open fell.
Continue to follow
the well made
stepped path
which zigzags
all the way to
the summit of
Wansfell. It takes
about 40 minutes to reach the summit.
When you reach the summit of Wansfell
6
you have a wonderful 360 degree view.
Starting from the
south you have a
clear view down
Windermere,
coming round to
the west you can
see: the Coniston
fells, Crinkle
Crags, Bowfell,
the Langdale
hills and then
the Fairfield
Horseshoe. Closer to you is Red Screes.
Towards the north east is
the Kentmere Horseshoe fells. Over to the east you
can just make out the rolling
Howgills and some of the
Yorkshire Dales, including on a
clear day Ingleborough peak. To
the south east the distant hills
are the Forest of Bowland near
Lancaster. Last but not least,
you can see Morecambe Bay
glistening in the distance.
7
Go through the gate and start to descend
on the obvious gravel path slightly to your
left. On reaching a
wooden kissing gate,
continue straight
ahead, following
the yellow footpath
sign, ignoring the
right hand permitted
path. This can be
quite wet under
foot. On reaching
the next gate,
turn right onto the
walled bridleway Nanny Lane. The
bridleway continues to descend between the two
walls, all the way down into Troutbeck.
8
On reaching
the village
you have the option
to turn left along the
road to reach the
Mortal Man pub if
you would like to
enjoy refreshments.
To continue the
walk, however,
turn right. As you wander
through the village of Troutbeck, enjoy the good
examples of traditional Lake District architecture,
including the large, round chimneys.
Eventually you will
9
arrive at the village
triangle with the Post Office
Turn right on
12
the minor
road and almost
The tarmac gives
way to a rough
footpath. Continue
along the lane,
ignoring paths off to
the left until you are
level with a stone
pillar in the field up
on your right. Go
up to the pillar for
a beautiful view
of Windermere,
the Coniston and
Langdale fells.
This viewpoint is one of the famous old viewing
stations around Windermere.
immediately take the
public bridleway left,
downhill between two
farm buildings.
13
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.
Go back over the stone stile.
10
Turn right, and immediately left to
take the green track for about 10 metres, then
turn left, over a step stile beside a gate to join
another green track downhill. Continue downhill
with the wall to your left and climb over another
step stile beside a gate to join a track downhill
between two stone walls.
Continue ahead to reach the main
14
A591 road. Turn right and cross the
road with care using the crossing island.
11
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.
In 20 metres turn left into the Brockhole car park.
Enjoy a well15
deserved drink
and cake in the café.
on the right; a great place
for a picnic stop. From here
take the tarmaced bridleway
up to the right - Robin Lane.
FINISH
Brockhole, the Lake
District Visitor Centre
Explore,
enjoy,
experience,
relax!
3
4
5
2
6
7
8
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
9
10
Relax on the terrace with a
well-deserved drink and cake
11
12
13
14
1
www.brockhole.co.uk
15
Circular walk between Waterhead Jetty and Brockhole via Wansfell, starting
with a boat trip. Note: Waterhead Jetty is also known as Ambleside Pier.