Lake District walks within easy reach of the Aphrodites Hotel
If you plan to base yourself at the Aphrodites Hotel, but want to enjoy some of the best Lake District walks around the region, good public transport links, including bus and train, can easily transport you to the starting point. Some of the best Lake District walks within easy reach of the Aphrodites Hotel include:
Ambleside to Grasmere
This walk takes between 3-4 hours, and is 6 miles long. From Ambleside head north on the A591 for 750m until you get to Scandale Bridge, over Scandale Beck. Cross the bridge and turn right onto a path, which will swing north towards the trees of Rydal Park. Follow it to Rydal Hall, around the back of the building, where it joins a rough tarmac lane. Turn right onto the lane and follow it up to Rydal Mount, once the home of William Wordsworth. Join the bridleway around the back of Rydal Mount and follow the route until you get to a junction with another bridleway on the left. Carry straight on until you reach a tarmac lane beside some cottages. Continue along the bridleway, heading west along the lane, and follow a steep hill downwards to join a road at How Top. Turn right onto the road and follow it down to Dove Cottage, another former home of William Wordsworth, and which is open to visitors. Cross the A591 at the mini roundabout, and follow the road into Grasmere. You will reach St Oswalds church after crossing the bridge over the River Rothay, and a footpath loops back to the road, which is then followed into the centre of the village.
Coledale Round
If you are feeling more energetic, and want to spend 7-8 hours walking the 11 miles of the Coledale Round, you will enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery in the Lake District.
From Braithwaite, follow the B5292 towards Whinlatter, and after 300m take the path on the left. Follow the path as it climbs steeply through a bend, then heads west towards the first summit of Kinn. Follow south-west to Grisedale Pike, then on to Sand Hill and Hopegill Head. From Sand Hill go south/south east to the deep col of Coledale House, and climb Crag Hill directly. If you want to visit Grasmoor also, head in a south/south west direction, alongside the beck. From here the path climbs easily west across Grasmoor´s summit plateau to the summit cairn. The best views lie a further few hundred metres further west. From Grasmoor return to the col and continue to gain Crag Hill. The descent to the southern ridge of the Coledale Road is the most precipitous part of the walk, as it has steep slopes on both sides. Extra care should be taken in strong winds. From here continue east up the short climb to Sail. From Sail descend to the next col in an East North East direction. The Col is a junction of paths. Take the one which descents North East and skirts the steep fellside to gain the broad col/moss on the South West side of Outerside. Ignore the path that branches off right and continue North East to the top of Outerside. Cross the summit then descent East North East to another col at Low Moss. Cross this and climb the summit of Stile End. Descend back to the valley from Stile End.
Sweden Bridge Ambleside
Taking between 2-3 hours to complete, the 3 mile walk to Sweden Bridge, Ambleside is among the most popular walks for people who don´t want to spend all day on the fells. Cutting deep into the hills on the north of Ambleside, the rugged valley of Scandale is a real surprise. Although it is close to the hustle and bustle of the village, once you get past the boundary, the valley mouth is like entering another world. Wild and rugged woodland, deserted open fellside and picturesque scenes beckon.
From the mini-roundabout on the A591, at the north end of the village, take the Kirkstone Road up the hill for about 100m to the road on the left. This is Sweden Bridge Lane. Follow the road to the end to join a footpath along east bank of Scandale Beck. This path is then followed as it climbs North, and follows on through the woods at Rough Side to High Sweden Bridge. Cross the bridge and follow the path on the other side which climbs south-west up hill along a dry stone wall. After 250m the gradient eases and the path joins the main ridge path at a T-junction. Turn left and follow the main ridge path as it descends steadily south. As height is lost the path works its way onto the crest of the ridge and the views down towards Rydal and Grasmere open out. As the path nears the food of the ridge, it turns sharply left into a zig-zag, leading down to Low Sweden Bridge. Cross the bridge and join the track on the other side which leads to houses at Nook End Farm. Once you have passed the farm, head south along the lane and follow it back to Ambleside.
Western Shore of Coniston Water
This gentle walk around the western shore of Coniston Water is perfect for the Lake District visitor who wants to enjoy the countryside, but not spend all day out walking. This walk takes around 2-3 hours, and is 4 miles long.
The western shore of Coniston is an excellent place for a walk, and a combination of paths and tracks wind in and out of the trees, and across parkland, always within sight of the lake. The walking is easy and there are plenty of places to stop for a rest or a picnic en route.
From Coniston Pier, take one of the launches down the lake to Sunny Bank Jetty. Just in from the jetty the shore side path hugs the bank and is followed north beside the lake shore to Water Park. At the Water Park, the path leaves the lake shore and joins a track which is followed through Coniston Hall Camp Site. Follow the access track north from here for 100m and pick up the cycle path on the right. Follow the path north, north west then north east for around 1km and join Lake Road. Turn right onto Lake Road and follow it back to the start at Coniston Pier Car Park.
Ulverston to Coniston
This walk covers 16 miles and takes between 6-7 hours. The walk features several becks, stiles, farmyards and field paths between Ulverston and Gawthwaite on the southern boundary of the Lake District National Park.
Leaving Ulverston, follow a clear path beside a stream, then take a left turn up a walled path before navigating your way through fields to pass Old Hall Farm, on through fields and over stiles until you reach a road at Higher Lath Farm. Walk downhill for a short stretch and take a left turn through fields to reach Hollowmire. Follow the access road for Hollowmire to a minor road and turn left before taking a right hand path leading to St. John´s Church, where a further road leads to the hamlet of Broughton Beck. The route follows Broughton Beck for some of the way, crossing over a series of stiles before joining an unclassifield road, leading to Knapperhowe. Well worn tracks and paths lead to Gawthwaite, and on to Tottlebank, where you start to ascend the Beacon Tarn.
Enjoy stunning views to the Coniston Fells, followed by a steep descent from Beacon Tarn to Stable Harvey Moss, where the path thins out. Take a left turn leading to Torver Tarn and then follow the beck to Sunny Bank. Cross over the main road and head down to the Coniston shoreline. The path along the lakeside of Coniston is wild and rugged in places, so enjoy the surroundings but watch where you are walking. The path then passes through patchy woodland, and as the trees start to clear you approach Coniston Hall Campsite, and then Coniston Hall itself. Follow the field path and short road walk to Coniston.
