Route Progress:
- Footpath repairs and widening ongoing through the Grizedale Forest section but the route is passable with care.
- Parkamoor section- surfacing and drainage work taking place throughout spring/summer 2026
The route leaves Bowness heading south to access the ferry at Ferry Nab, this is a quick and cost-effective way of crossing the lake. However, the ferry does not always run so the alternatives are:
- Use the Windermere Lake Cruises service in summer to Ash Landing, not far from the ferry to rejoin main route 300m north.
- Bus from Bowness to Coniston(1 change at Ambleside) and join the Cumbria Way (10.5km walking to Water Yeat).
- Bus from Windermere to Skelwith Bridge to join Cumbria Way (21km walking to Water Yeat).
On leaving the ferry there is a section of off-road footpath up the hill and then a short section of road to connect into the rights of way network, this is well used by pedestrians already. After leaving the ferry there is an option to pause for a while and visit the National Trust’s Claife Viewing Station, which enjoys stunning views over Windermere and surrounding fells.
The footpath passes through fields to the church at Far Sawrey. The route crosses a minor road and continues through fields and into woodland. This is Beatrix Potter country and there is an option to divert to Near Sawrey where there is the opportunity to visit Hill Top, her former Lakeland farmhouse home. There is also a traditional pub and accommodation on offer in Near Sawrey.
After another short section of minor road most of the remaining section of route Satterthwaite is along quiet paths through woodland. Satterthwaite is a small settlement but does offer a pub for refreshments. From Satterthwaite the route passes through the southern edge of Grizedale Forest.
Once through Grizedale Forest pick up the unsealed country road at Parkamoor, which enjoys stunning views down to Coniston Water to the surrounding fells.
From here an unsurfaced road takes the path down to the foot of Coniston Water at High Nibthwaite where footpaths and minor roads link to the crossing of the A5084 at Water Yeat. Water Yeat is a small hamlet with a limited bus service to Coniston and Ulverston.
Leaving Water Yeat and heading west a minor road and a footpath connect the village to the Cumbria Way which heads south to Ulverston. This is a much less visited rural area with small hamlets and farmsteads hidden in many small valleys. The path passes through farmland crossing the A5092 at Gawthwaite, visiting Broughton Beck and then heading down into Ulverston via The Gill.
Ulverston has good transport links and a variety of accommodation, restaurants and cafes, entertainment, shops.
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