Sally's walk - Loweswater

This is a spectacular walk with mountain views, grassy tracks, coniferous and deciduous woodlands, a lake and a pub.

Park by the road on the brow of the hill at Fangs Brow which is just over a mile from Loweswater Lake by road, or if you’re coming from Lamplugh, it’s about 1.5 miles from Lamplugh church. The Google coordinates for the parking are: 54.590708, -3.386021, and to make doubly sure, it’s just a few hundred yards from a farm (before the farm if you’re coming from Lamplugh, after the farm if you’re coming from Loweswater).  

By the road, you will see a gate with a sign which says “Public Bridleway, Loweswater 2 miles”.  Follow the track.

This is a circular walk and you will pass a ladder stile on your left which is the way by which you will return. Continue straight on through (following the sign which says “Loweswater via High Nook”). As you are following the track you can see the Isle of Man to your right, and behind you are the hills of Scotland in the far distance.  

Go through a gate and before you get to the second gate you will catch your first glimpse of Loweswater with Crummock Water behind.

The path follows the wall as it snakes up the hill to the next ladder stile. Go over it but be careful here and follow the blue arrow which leads you left down towards the lake.  Do not go straight on and up.  

You are now on a wonderful terrace walk with fantastic views and seats to reflect on the beauty of the scenery. As the track winds away from the lake, you will cross over a small stream towards the fir plantation.

Very soon afterwards look for a small path leading left into the fir trees. Go through the kissing gate and down the fairly steep path through the trees down to Loweswater (ignoring paths to the left and right at the two crossroads). 

At the lake, you will meet the main path and you can either turn left to continue the circular walk or turn right which leads you to the Kirkstile Inn about a mile away. It is also possible to hire a rowing boat at the farm which is 100 yards to your right.  

If you choose the pub, you will have to retrace your steps to this point but it is well worth a visit – it has won several ‘pub of the year’ awards.  

So, to go to the pub, follow the path around the top of the lake leading you alongside fields until you come to a small bridge leading to a small car park. 

Follow the tarmac road up to the left until you come to the main road. Turn right and follow the brown signs to the Kirkstile Inn which is just past the church.

Have a drink or a meal and a bit of a rest, and then retrace your steps – turning left out of the pub, left along the road and then second left along a tarmac road which is signed “Public Bridleway, Loweswater 0.8 miles”. Remember to turn right, through the National Trust car park and over the cattle grid.  

Carry on along the path until you rejoin where you left off by the rowing boats if they’re out.  Continue on, following the path by the lake.

You will come to a split in the path which is by a bothy. Be sure to have a swing on the homemade swing which is on the small beach here. You can choose whether to go left or right at the split, as the two paths marry up again further along. The path to your right follows the lake through the woods; the one on your left is straighter and shorter but equally as beautiful. The woods are fantastic at any time of year and you might spot red deer. In springtime, it is a wonderland of bluebells, wood anemones, sorrel and violets.

The track gradually ascends until you leave the lake behind.  

Keep on going through a gate and bear right past the black and white farmhouse. Just 40 yards past the farm there is a stile on your left and a sign pointing to Fangs Brow. Go over the stile and follow the fence on your left through the field and to another stile. Go over this stile and turn immediately right, following the hedge on your right this time.

Go through the next gate and up the rough track, following the ancient hedge line.

Through the next gate, the trail curves up and left slightly to the next gate. Pause to have a last look at the lake behind you. Then go through the gate and follow the lane along the left-hand wall. Go up the tarmac road, keeping the house on your right.

You will see another house and instead of going downhill to it, turn left up the ancient bridleway (following the small footpath sign). Keep following the path up to the ladder stile mentioned at the start of the walk. 

Once over the stile, turn right and you’re back at the car.

You'll find one of Sally's holiday cottages in Loweswater or cottages in Keswick both great bases from which to enjoy this accessible walk. Jenkinson's Place, one of our luxury self-catering cottages is perfectly placed for enjoying this walk.

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