Miles Without Stiles 26: Loweswater
Details
Route type: For all / for some. This is a lovely level walk in one of the quieter corners of the Lake District - OS Explorer Map OL4
Distance: 1.75 km or 1.1 miles for all, 3.5 km or 2.2 miles for some
Start point: Maggie’s Bridge car park - grid ref. NY 134210
Turning points: For all, start of Holme Wood - grid ref. NY 126212 For some, end of Holme Wood - grid ref. NY 118218
Facilities: None on route. The Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater village is the nearest place for toilets and refreshments
Getting there: Bus: dial a service 949 between Cockermouth and Buttermere. Phone 01900 822795. Car: B5292 from Cockermouth and B5289 through Low Lorton. Follow signs for Loweswater and turn right (grid ref. NY 138211), not signposted for Maggie’s Bridge
Conditions update
Some routes have suffered water damage after the floods of November 2009, with sections washed away or affected by flood debris. We are checking all routes. In the meantime be prepared that present surface conditions may not be as good as originally described. Please report any damage you encounter to David Robinson at david.robinson@lakedistrict.gov.uk or 01768 871409.
Route
The route starts at the small car park at Maggie’s Bridge (spaces for six to eight cars) and follows an excellent stone track to Watergate Farm. This is a tranquil and unspoiled corner of the Lake District, enjoying beautiful views across Loweswater to the craggy southern slopes of Fellbarrow. Over your left shoulder is the steep and rocky northern end of Mellbreak, a reminder that the high fells around Buttermere are not far away.
The track skirts past the farm and through a gate into Holme Wood, taking you to the lakeshore. The route gets rougher beyond this point, with a small stream to cross to get to a lakeshore barn, a lovely, tranquil place to stop and take in the peaceful, timeless surroundings.
There are two other small streams to cross in Holme Wood, one by a bridge with quite steep ramps at both sides. The wood’s gate and boundary wall are soon reached. We recommend wheelchair users retrace the route back at this point. Walkers can continue to Hudson Place on the bridleway to the road. From there, a right turn will lead you back along the north western shore of Loweswater, on tarmac roads, to complete a fantastic little circuit.
Map
