Well-positioned next to the shores of the largest lake in England, there’s countless Windermere walks to follow…
Offering something to suit all abilities and showcasing unrivalled views along the way, there’s no better way to experience this iconic Lake District landmark.
We’ve handpicked our favourite Windermere walks and compiled them into a handy list. Continue reading to find out more…
1. Windermere Lake and Queen Adelaide’s Hill Circular
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 5.1km
Avg. Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Elevation (gain): 140m
Overlooking the glistening waters of Lake Windermere, the Queen Adelaide’s Hill circular is a relatively short walk near Windermere. Formerly known as Rayrigg Bank, the hill was renamed Queen Adelaide’s Hill after the consort visited the area in 1840.
To start this easy Windermere walk, start by parking up at the Windermere Jetty Museum next to the lake. After parking up, turn right out of the car park before taking the next left up Millbeckstock. Once you reach the end of this short road, make a left and an immediate right onto Sherriff’s Walk.
At the end of the path, turn left onto Lake Road and continue up to the Baddeley Clock. Here, continue up the road on the left (New Road). Continue northwards along the road, sticking to the left as you reach the next fork in the road with Crescent Road.
Finally, once you reach the junction with Ambleside Road at the northern end of the town, turn left and continue until you see the entrance to St Mary’s Park on your left. However, instead up heading up this cul-de-sac, make the next left onto the narrow pathway, which you’ll continue along until you reach the junction with Rayrigg Road. Here, you’ll have finally reached Queen Adelaide’s Hill, making it a great place to stop off and take in the views before finishing this wonderful Windermere walk.
At the junction, cross over Rayrigg Road and continue past the layby before taking a right turn through a gate onto a steep footpath. From here, simply follow the path through the field and along the lakeside before veering back onto Rayrigg Road and turning right.
Once you’re back on the main road, simply continue southwards before reaching the Jetty Museum and car park where you first started.
2. Fell Foot Park Route
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.9km
Avg. Time: 45 minutes
Elevation (gain): 74m
Found on the southern tip of Lake Windermere, this is arguably one of the easiest walking routes on this list, making it suitable for walkers of all ages.
To begin, start by parking up at Fell Foot Car Park, which is free for National Trust members. From here, head northwards along the path before reaching the marina. Here, you’ll also find the Fell Foot Ice Cream Parlour, a great place to stop off for a quick snack and a drink before continuing on this lovely Windermere walk.
From here, continue southwards along the banks of the River Leven and through the field before veering right and completing the circular walk around the field. Once completed, simply head back up the same path in the opposite direction back along the same route.
3. Windermere & Bowness Walk
Difficulty: Hard
Length: 20.4km
Avg. Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
Elevation (gain): 468m
For those of you looking for a challenging Windermere walk, then this route will be sure to tick all the boxes. Starting off at the fork in the road near the entrance to Green Hill. Here, begin by heading through the gate to the woodland. Here, continue along this long path before eventually reaching the junction with Winster Road.
Once at the junction, cross over and continue along Green Lane before reaching the junction with Crook Road, where you’ll take a left. Shortly after turning onto the main road, you’ll reach The Wild Boar pub, a great place to stop off for a drink and a bite to eat before continuing along this tricky Windermere walk. From here, you’ll continue westward along Crook Road before reaching a bend in the road. Here, you’ll see a small layby to your right, as well as the entrance to a side road marked as a cul-de-sac. Turn right onto the side road and continue towards the end of the road and the path that leads on from it (Heathwaite Bridleway).
At the end of the bridleway, you’ll arrive at Droomer Lane on the outskirts of Windermere. Here, take a left and continue along the lane before turning right onto Claife Avenue. Continue along the road before turning right again onto Thwaites Lane. Eventually, you’ll reach the junction with the Kendal – Windermere Road (A591), where you’ll turn left and continue walking towards the top of Windermere High Street.
At the junction with the High Street, take a left onto Victoria Street and continue until you reach the junction with Crescent Road, where you’ll take another left. From here, continue along Crescent Road/New Road, the bustling heart of Windermere, before you eventually reach the Windermere Lake Cruises jetty at the southern end of the town. Once here, take a right onto Glebe Road and follow the road in an anticlockwise direction before reaching the junction with the A592. Here, take a right onto the main road and continue southwards before veering onto the road to the left at the fork in the road (onto Longtail Hill – B5285).
When you reach the end of Longtail Hill, turn right at the junction with Kendal Road. From here, continue southward before veering off onto the road to the right at the fork in the road (B5360). From here, simply follow the road before crossing over onto the A592. Eventually, you’ll come to the entrance of Ghyll Head Road to your left, which you’ll turn onto to complete the final stretch of this challenging Windermere walk.
After turning onto Ghyll Head Road and tackling the steep incline, you’ll eventually reach the junction at the entrance of Green Hill where you first started.
4. Orrest Head Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4.5km
Avg. Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Elevation (gain): 158m
Generally considered to be a moderately difficult Windermere walk, the Orrest Head Circular is a fantastic route that will take you through three stunning woodland areas on the outskirts of the bustling town of Bowness.
Starting around the Windermere Hotel next to the train station, from here you’ll take a right onto Tuchwud, a small path that’ll lead you up towards the summit. Along the path, you’ll pass waypoints like the Gruffalo Statue before continuing up the zig-zag path and eventually reaching the Orrest Head Summit.
From the summit, continue along the path northwards before reaching the junction with a country lane, where you’ll take a left. Keep following the lane before turning onto the next right, which will take you through the enchanting Low Hag Wood. From here, simply continue along the route in a counterclockwise direction before finally reaching the Tuchwud path where you first started. At this junction, simply take a right and continue back towards the Windermere Hotel where you first began.
5. Stock Ghyll Force & Wansfell Walk (via Ambleside)
Difficulty: Hard
Length: 5.1km
Avg. Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Elevation (gain): 416m
Known for being one of the most popular walking trails from Ambleside, this route will take you to the legendary Stock Ghyll Force Waterfall, one of the most popular natural landmarks in the area.
Starting in the heart of the town, this challenging Windermere walk starts at the Miller Bridge Town Centre Car Park, next to the White Platts Recreation Ground. From the car park, take a left onto the main road (Rothay Rd – A593) and continue up to the crossroads. Here, cross directly over onto Church Street and continue until you reach the junction with Lake Road, where you’ll take another left.
From here, continue slightly further up the road until you reach the Old Courthouse Gallery and the old Market Hall, where you’ll take a right through the passageway between the two buildings. At the end of the passage, turn left onto Cheapside before immediately veering right onto Stockghyll Lane.
Continue along the lane past the right turning onto Stockghyll Brow. Just past the junction, you’ll see a path that veers off to the left, with a signpost on the tree that reads “This way to the waterfalls”. Here, simply hop onto the path, pass through the gate and continue for another few minutes until you reach the Stock Ghyll Force Waterfall. After witnessing the natural beauty of this iconic hotspot, continue along the path before joining back onto Stock Ghyll Lane.
Where you join back onto the lane, the road continues onwards as a pathway, which you’ll follow for a few hundred metres before reaching the Wansfell Summit. Here, you’ll get to take in the stunning views of the surrounding area before making your way back along the path you came from.
6. Windermere & School Knott Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 6.9km
Avg. Time: 2 hours
Elevation (gain): 232m
Another fantastic Windermere walk to embark on is the Windermere and School Knott Circular, a moderately-challenging trail that takes you through this bustling town and through the surrounding hills, where you’ll get to take in the impeccable views of the town and Lake Windermere.
Start this Windermere walk by parking up at the Broad Street Car Park, situated in the heart of the town. After leaving the car park, take a left onto Broad Street before turning right onto Crescent Road at the junction.
From here, continue northwards through the town along Crescent Road/Main Road until you reach the crossroads, where you’ll take a right onto the top end of the High Street. Then, at the junction with the main road (Kendal Road – A591), take a right and continue along the road out of the town. After passing the junction with Thwaites Lane and a handful of cul-de-sacs, take a right onto the dirt track and head southwards towards Mill Beck.
Eventually, you’ll come out at the end of Droomer Lane. Once here, head slightly further down the road before taking a left onto another rural track which will lead you through a series of fields before reaching the School Knott summit. After taking in the unforgettable views from this iconic viewpoint, continue along the path past School Knott Tarn and continue to follow the route in a clockwise direction.
Once you arrive at the Old Droomer Cottage, you’ll need to take a left onto another pathway, taking you westward towards Lickbarrow Road. At the junction with the main road, simply cross over and continue following the path ahead of you. Simply continue following the path before reaching Craig Walk. Here, take a right onto the road and follow it northwards to the junction, where you’ll take a right onto Lake Road.
From here, simply follow Lake Road back through the town before reaching the turning onto Broad Street where you first began.
Tempted to dig out your walking boots and start exploring along one of these Windermere walks? Browse this wonderful range of Windermere lodges and find yourself within easy reach of these fascinating trails!
And for more inspiration on things to do whilst you’re here, give our helpful guide to the shops in Windermere a read!
If you’re looking for somewhere else to explore, read our handy guides on 11 of the best Lake District walks and the most beautiful Lake District walks.
