River Rothay running through White Moss Common copyright Charlie Hedley

Miles Without Stiles 9: White Moss Common

Miles Without Stiles

This woodland and meadow walk gives access to the beautiful River Rothay - OS Explorer Map OL7. A shorter walk of 1.25km for all is available if you turn at the gate into Penny Rock Wood.

Route for all. 1.25km (round trip) with an extension for some of 1km distance.

Route

From the lower White Moss Common Car Park, follow the wide, smooth stone path out of the car park and cross a wooden footbridge. This brings you into a meadow area with two small benches close to the riverside.

The River Rothay is beautiful here, often sun dappled as the light passes through the trees, and is alive with ducks, dippers and herons. In spring, the woodland is carpeted in bluebells. The steep fell to the north is Nab Scar and Loughrigg Fell rises to the south.

Continue along the path to a picnic bench and an area of hard standing, the route for all ends here. This is a great place for a rest and a picnic. Ahead is Penny Rock Wood. The path through here has been improved and zigzags up the initial slope at a gradient which exceeds 1:8. Follow the path to the junction where wheelchair and pushchair users need to take the right hand route, avoiding the steep slope and steps down to the Grasmere outflow bridge. Once over the bridge, rest and savour the iconic view of the lake.

Details

Start point:

White Moss Common lower car park

Postcode: LA22 9SD
Grid reference: NY 351065
W3W: ///hindered.freezing.beak

Turning point:

Grid reference: Mid: NY 347061 End: NY 343059
W3W: ///Mid: enlighten.readjust.dreamers End: lion.forkful.prevented

Facilities:

Toilets with baby changing facilities 40 metres from car park (off to right from start of route). Ice cream van across the road in summer

Getting there:

Bus: regular 555 and 599 services along the A591 from Ambleside and Keswick.
Car: A591 for 4 km north of Ambleside on left..