Very rewarding
short walk with stunning views of Ullswater
Duration:
1½
- 2 hours average, a bit more if you climb up the fell or if you visit
the churches
Walk
Starting Point:
Patterdale
Hall Estate
Steamer
Option:
Cruise from Glenridding to Howtown then walk before catching boat back.
Difficulty:
Moderate Easy
Footwear:
Boots/sturdy
shoes
Distance:
3 miles / 5 km
Clothing:
Waterproofs
during wet weather
Toilets/
Refreshments:
On the
"Steamers’, in Glenridding or Pooley Bridge villages, or for patrons at
Howtown Hotel Public Bar
Terrain:
Easy going but
with some uphill stretches and slightly rocky sections of path.
Always check the weather forecast before your walk. Take plenty of
water, especially on hot days!
1
Head along the pavements and paths to
Glenridding, cut through the Boat Hire yard (or go through the
gate just after it) and follow the lakeshore path all the way to
the "Steamer" car park. Catch the "Steamer" to Howtown.
2
Disembark the "Steamer’, walk to the end of
Howtown pier and take an immediate right across a small bridge,
signposted Public Footpath – Sandwick No Cycling and
follow the lakeshore path. After the second swing gate, continue
straight forward along the road for 30 metres and then go
through the swing gate on your left signposted Patterdale
Sandwick and follow this path along and up the steps until
you reach the next swing gate. After the gate turn LEFT and
follow the grassy path gently rising around the side of the
fell, notice the view back towards Pooley Bridge over your
shoulder. There are excellent views across Howtown and towards
Fusedale all along here. After 40 metres or so the path splits,
take the upper/right hand path. This path continues to gradually
rise and after ½ km flattens out next to the road, a wooden "no
cycling" post lies to your left.
OPTION: At this point, if you are
feeling fit, you can head diagonally up to the right and
follow the grassy zigzag path up to the top of Hallin
Fell with its fantastic views of the lake and valley.
Then retrace your steps back to the wooden "no-cycling"
post at the bottom. Add an extra ¾ hour on to the walk
for this.
3
From here carry on along the road (there are
benches to sit on opposite which take in great views down the
lake). Continue over the brow of the hill and past St Peter’s
Church which, if you have time, is well worth a visit as it has
stunning stained glass windows. Follow the road signposted
Sandwick.
OPTION: At this point there is a ¼
mile walk along a road to the left to see the C16th
"Old" Church of St Martins, again well worth a visit
with its ancient Yew tree and visible Roman foundations
and font. Add at least a 1/2 hour onto the walk for
this.
Take the path to the right just before the
river and follow this all the way to a wide gate signposted
footpath and past a cottage through another similar gate
marked footpath down hill, keep left of farm (beside beck).
Cross the field diagonally down to the left, following the
yellow arrows on the marker post and electricity pole. Go
through the gate next to the beck to the left of the farm and
after 20 metres cross a stepped wall with a tiny gate. Cross Doe
Green Bridge, turn right after the gate and continue along the
road, over the white railed bridge, and again turn right. Follow
the tarmac road for a while passing a signpost Public
footpath Howtown via Hallin lakeside path and down into
Sandwick.
4
From Sandwick, bear right and follow the sign
set into the wall Footpath to Howtown. Go through gate,
across bridge and take the path to the left marked footpath.
After 30 metres follow signpost Public Footpath up to the
right. Skirt the wall (notice the great views across the lake)
and pass through several gates, always keeping the lake on your
left and following the signs for Howtown. The path gets a bit
rocky as you pass through Hallinhag Wood but you soon reach
easier ground as the path rises up and around into Howtown bay.
The views from here are stunning. Follow the path all the way
until you reach the swing gate at which you started, turn left
through the gate and down the steps. Go through the next gate,
bare right and head straight along the road
OPTION: If you are early for the
"Steamer" then bear right along the road here and head
up to the Howtown Hotel Public Bar for a well-earned
drink and a bite to eat
You should now be back on familiar ground and
can retrace your steps directly along the lakeshore back to the
"Steamer" pier.