Miles Without Stiles 34: Derwentwater Lakeshore
Details
Route type: For all. This is a beautiful woodland walk along the western shore of Derwentwater - OS Explorer Map OL4
Distance: 8 km or 5 miles but the walk can be shortened at any point
Start point: Hawse End access road - grid ref. NY 247215
Turning point: Manesty Park - grid ref. NY 256191
Facilities: None on route
Getting there: Bus: Buttermere Rambler 77 / 77A operates from Keswick and passes Hawse End four times a day from March to November. Boat: Keswick Launch calls at Hawse End eight times a day. Car: minor roads from Keswick to Hawse End. Parking at Hawse End may be restricted so public transport options are recommended
Route
Follow the access road to Hawse End, ignoring the signpost to Hawse End jetty. The path continues below the main buildings. Another signpost for the lakeshore takes you off the tarmac road and through a wide gate.
From here, the path is two metres wide with a smooth, compacted stone surface. More wide gateways bring you to the lakeshore at Victoria Bay. The route now weaves south along the shoreline and through the oak woodlands of Brandelhow. The lake views are magnificent, framed by a mountain backdrop. Catbells and High Spy are the steep hillsides behind you while Bleaberry Fell and Walla Crag are over the water. Picnic tables and benches, between High and Low Brandelhow jetties, allow you to savour the scenery.
A short stretch of tarmac leads to the woodland of Manesty Park and on to Great Bay. The 1 km under construction extension route is now nearly finished. You can follow the recycled plastic boardwalk up to the Chinese Bridge. Non-wheelchair users can cross the bridge and follow the path to the Borrowdale Road. Currently the National Trust is working on making the ramp onto the bridge wheelchair-friendly, and this work should be completed by the end of October 2009.
Map
