NORTH WEST
01 Claife Heights, Cumbria
Distance: 6.4 miles/10.3km | Time: 4 hours | Grade: Moderate | Total ascent: 308m
This Lakeland adventure begins with a ferry journey across Windermere’s island-dotted waist before ambling along a quiet lakeside lane. The effort then of climbing on to Claife Heights is rewarded with tranquil woodland and pasture tracks that meander past glistening tarns offering mouthwatering views to some of England’s highest peaks.
After a pub break in one of the area’s tiny villages, return to the ferry.
1 START
Catch the ferry to the western terminus (Sawrey). Walk down the road for 175m, then eyes peeled for the waymarked path on your right beside the large wood-clad building through to a tarred lane. Turn right and commence a gently undulating, largely traffic-free saunter alongside Windermere.
2 2.3 MILES
Just before you reach elegant white-painted Belle Grange house, turn left up the stone-paved, wall-side bridlepath and wind steadily up through the mixed woodland (ignore Sawrey left turn) to reach a substantial forestry road. Cross straight over following the Sawrey via Tarns sign, then fork left along the rising path to reach another wide forestry road.
3 3.3 MILES
Cross straight over, continuing on a firm track. Pass by reedy High Moss Tarn on your left before advancing into open pasture, noting Wise Een Tarn away to your right. On good days, the view to the Coniston Fells, the Langdale Pikes and the highest peaks at Bowfell and Crinkle Crags is delightful. Trace the wide grassy track through gates to reach the shore of Moss Eccles Tarn, one of the many properties the author Beatrix Potter donated to the National Trust in 1943.
4 4.3 MILES
Continue south on the track. At the fork in 550m, keep left at the Far Sawrey sign. Beyond a footbridge/ ford the track joins a narrow tarred lane which delivers you to Far Sawrey village. Turn left to find the cosy Cuckoo Brow Inn.
5 5.3 MILES
Just beyond the inn’s garden, take the lesser track forking left, signed Ferry to Bowness. This rises past driveways before advancing as a good path down to a road below a sharp bend. Turn left. Just past the next house, called Fair Rigg, join the off-road path on the right. Re-cross the road lower down to continue off-road to Ash Landing car park.
From the far-left corner of the car park, a path goes to Claife Viewing Station. A short, stiff climb up many steps brings you to this quirky Georgian belvedere and inspiring views along Windermere. Return to the top of the steps and bear left down to Joey’s Café near the lakeside. The signed path nearby returns to the ferry.
USEFUL INFO
Starting point
The Windermere Cable Ferry (LA23 3JH) links Bowness Nab (east side of the lake, 1km south of Bowness Pier) and Sawrey. Ferry every 20 minutes until late evening. Passenger fare (May 2023) £1 (cashless only). Parking is at Bowness Nab car park (300m from ferry; fee to pay) or Braithwaite Fold car park (c.800m), off A592 in Bowness. Stagecoach bus 599 (frequent daily between Grasmere, Ambleside, Windermere & Bowness) serves Braithwaite Fold.
Terrain
Ferry, lanes, forestry roads and field tracks. One long steady climb. Dogs allowed.
Map
OS Explorer OL7
Eat/stay
Cuckoo Brow Inn serves local beers, snacks and meals. Far Sawrey LA22 0LQ. 015394 43425 cuckoobrow.co.uk
