Ullswater Way

[Broggy1]

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A Friday off work for this beautiful walk around Ullswater with some golden autumnal colours.

The Ullswater Way is a relatively new (and way marked) trail and makes a pretty great low level day. With today being windy and promising showers on high ground, I thought it would be perfect and so it proved but I'd have to concede that the Eastern shore and Southern end are the more scenic areas of this walk.

There are two high level options on either side of the walk which I opted for but the lower level routes look a nice alternative as well.

For anybody not fancying the 20 miles in one go, this walk could easily be broken down into stages using public transport or two cars.

I opted to park near Roehead in the morning with Arthurs Pike in view. Today would be about looking at the hills rather than climbing them (with the exception of Gowbarrow).

I'm not usually one to avoid the hills but this made a nice change of pace....and it's not like the walk wasn't hilly in it's own right!

The initial ascent takes you up to the Cockpit stone circle

And then along the western slopes of Arthurs Pike for some nice views of Ullswater below

Looking back up to the Northern end from the flanks of Hallin Fell

Gowbarrow Fell across Ullswater

The route is fabulously way marked and you don't really need a map

Sheffield Pike across Ullswater - you start to hit proper mountain scenery as you approach the Southern end

One of many beautiful little beaches on the fantastic Eastern shore

St Sunday Crag comes into view as I approach the end of the Eastern leg

Crossing towards Patterdale with Helvellyn and co in cloud

The first bit of the Western side follows the A592 quite closely.

The views of the lake aren't as good but the autumnal colours of the woodland made up for it.
There is one very short bit along the main road where care is needed.

Place Fell across the lake

Eventually you come out at Aira Force (and the crowds). In hindsight starting the walk from here may be better as you could get the falls to yourself in the morning and most of the ascent done early in the walk.

Above Aira Force - the path splits here but I opted for the higher level route over Gowbarrow Fell

Looking back to the Southern end from the climb up Gowbarrow

Gowbarrow Fell Trig Point

You are a fair bit away from the lake at this point but on a good path with nice views to the Eastern side

The walk is a lot more rural now as you head through fields (and cattle).

There is an alternative route after wet weather to stay on the roads but I had no problems today

Descent to Pooley Bridge

Back down Ullswater

Last look at Ullswater from near where I started

[dav2930]

Looks a good walk. Tuesday I and a few work colleagues were doing a bit of voluntary path maintenance on the stretch of UW between Watermillock Church and Aira Force. It was quite hard work but made a good day out and nice to think I've done my little bit..

Btw I find it hard to believe the UW involves over 1400m of ascent!

[Broggy1]

I agree and I still doubt it does.

I mapped it out twice using the mapping on this site as I struggled to believe it myself - even with the two high level bits I’d have thought about 800m tops.

I always stick to what the mapping says (which usually comes in with less miles but more ascent than other bits of tracking kit used by mates) but this one doesn’t seem right to me either.