West Windermere Way (walk)

Route

The West Windermere Way traces the rugged shores of Windermere and meanders among its quiet woodlands. At 6km, this is one of our longer routes, with sections of Miles without Stiles that are for some or for many. We enjoy the variety of this trail, with landscapes that change at the turn of a corner. And by leaving the car behind, you can enjoy some of the best countryside around Windermere. Read on for further details.

Link with the bus stop at Newby Bridge, or Newby Bridge station halt and then join the route from the Swan Hotel. The trail leads away from the River Leven through wide open parkland where there is plenty of opportunity to relax and take in the fresh air. At the foot of Windermere, there are striking views across the reed beds and woodland to Gummer’s How. In the evening, and if they are around, the local bats provide spectacular entertainment.

All of the route can be used by walkers and some sections can also be used by horse riders and cyclists. Horse riders, please note that the route alongside the railway approaching Lakeside is only for pedestrians and cyclists. To reach Lakeside, horse riders must follow the signs towards Landing Knott Wood and join the road there, where you can explore other footpaths leading to Finsthwaite and Newby Bridge. Join these in Landing Knott Wood, across the road. The route picks up the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, following it all the way to the busy Lakeside ferry terminal. You could also start the trail here.

From the Lakeside Pier ferry terminal, the route heads on through the trees towards the sleepy village of Finsthwaite nestling in the hills. Roads around here are narrow and can be busy. Please take care. If you are heading north, you need to cross a busy road to follow the West Windermere Way across the field and into the woods. There are other footpaths leading to Finsthwaite and Newby Bridge. Join these in Landing Knott Wood, across the road from the Lakeside Pier road entrance. Or why not catch a steam train or ferry to other destinations in the area?

Cyclists and horse riders, please note: please use the first section of the trail here, but you must follow the signs to join the road at The Knoll. Continue past the Stott Park Bobbin Mill and look out for signs to re-join the West Windermere Way at Black Hole Wood.

The quiet woods to the west of the lake were once managed as plantations, and now red squirrels make their home here. The plantations provided wood to make bobbins, and the trail passes close to the Stott Park Bobbin Mill. The last working bobbin mill in the Lake District is well worth planning some extra time to visit. An artificial lake at High Dam was created to feed the machines at the mill, and you can take a detour here to explore the superb scenery. The footpaths around High Dam lead over the fells to the farming villages of Rusland and Satterthwaite. This section of the route can only be used by walkers, and this includes access to High Dam and the path towards High Stott Park.

On the east-bound section of the trail, cyclists and horse riders must follow the alternative route along the road. This follows a short section of road and rejoins the trail at Black Hole Wood. A gentle section leads downhill from the wooded fells through fields to High Stott Park where it crosses the road and into more plantation woodland. Local schoolchildren planted hedgerows along this section of the route to provide food and shelter for bugs and birds. The final destination is the shore of Windermere at YMCA Lakeside, for now. You could also start the trail here.

Download the route map for West Windermere Way (PDF).