Lake District Walks near Windermere
The Aphrodites Hotel enjoys one of the best locations in the Lake District. Close to the attractions of Bowness Bay and within easy walking distance of Windermere, the longest lake in the UK, visitors will find a wealth of walks, cycling trails and kid´s activities nearby.
From the challenging Coast to Coast walk to some of the most scenic short walking routes, Windermere and the Lake District offer some of the best walks for visitors of all ages and abilities. A Mecca for lovers of the great outdoors, the Lake District offers a huge variety of low-level routes, challenging mountain hikes plus lake and ridge walks.Recommended short walks near Windermere include:
Orrest Head
As you leave Windermere Station, cross over Victoria Street and the A591 (pedestrian crossing). Go uphill where a tarmac lane leads off to the left, signposted Orrest Hill. Follow the lane as it passes through Elleray Woods, for about 600 metres. Where this lane ends, a rough track follows. The track then opens up into woodland. Keep following the obvious route uphill. As the views open up, you will see glimpses of Windermere Lake through the trees. At the end of the path go through the kissing gate and the viewpoint and Lake District mountains spread out in front of you. From the summit continue north and follow the path until it comes to a minor road. Turn left and follow the road downhill to the next junction. Look out for the path on the left, which crosses a field and carries on to the woods. This path rejoins the outward route, just before you return to the village.
Millerground and Adelaide Hill
This is a great short walk for families, as there are plenty of places to stop on the way, and it also gives the best access to Lake Windermere, along the eastern shore. Access is from the car park on Rayrigg Road, and although there are many ways to walk this route, always start out by following the path from the car park down to the lake shore. Watch out for a large rock at the edge of the lake, where Queen Adelaide came ashore on her visit. Continue to the end and turn round at the kissing gate and retrace your steps to the jetties. Keep heading north, pass the sailing base and the boathouse and you come to Millerground Cottage. The route leaves the lake here, and climbs above some beautiful waterfalls back to Rayrigg Road. As you climb up Adelaide Hill, you can enjoy some superb views of the lake. Continue along the top and drop down the other side back to the car park. The complete walk can be done in about 20 minutes, but you should leave an hour if you want to take your time and enjoy the views. There are also plenty of great places for picnics en route.
Post Knott and Brantfell
From Bowness Promenade turn north and head back into Bowness Village. Take the first right past the Village Inn, cross over Kendal Road and head steeply up Brantfell Road. At the top of here go through the gate and keep on up the field. There is a handy seat about half way up, which is dedicated to Dales Way walkers who end their long walks from Ilkley at this spot. Offering breathtaking views of Windermere, it is worth stopping here to enjoy the scenery. Turn right at the next gate and follow the level path. The view of the north basin of Windermere gets even better, as you glimpse it through the Beech trees. The path will take you through another gate, and then climb a small rise, where the view changes to show the southern half of Windermere. You will now be at Post Knott, and Brantfell lies just behind it. Cross the stile and follow the cairns to the top, from where you can see almost all of Windermere. Return by either retracing your steps or return down the line of cairns, bearing right at the small woods at the foot of the hill. Cross the stile in the wall ahead and continue down to the field beyond. The path follows down a few steps. At the foot of these steps take the gate on the right. Ignore the farm track which crosses the path and after the next gate, look for a small iron gate in the wall on the right. Ignore the farm track that crosses the path and after the next gate, look for a small iron gate in the wall on the right. Go through here and follow the obvious path. Cross the small private road and turn left after the duck pond, following the path across the fields. Pass through 3 more kissing gates and you will come to a gravel path. Follow this around the house and downhill until you reach a tarmac road, follow on to Bowness Village.
Wherever you plan to stay in the Lake District, there will be a range of walks nearby to suit all ages and abilities, and the walks around Windermere take in some of the most stunning scenery in England.
