Claife Heights walk, Lake District

Wander along Windermere’s wooded shoreline then climb to a series of atmospheric tarns and pasturelands atop Claife Heights

By Neil Coates

Published: Friday, 23 June 2023 at 12:00 am

Set the scene with a ferry across Windermere’s island-dotted waist before ambling along a lakeside lane generally free of traffic.

The effort then of climbing a steep bridleway up onto Claife Heights is rewarded by tranquil woodland and pasture tracks that meander past glistening tarns and open out mouth-watering views to some of England’s highest peaks.

Take a pub-break in one of the area’s tiny villages before falling to the lakeside again.

A final short climb visits the memorable lake viewpoint at a renovated Georgian Viewing Station high above the ferry terminal before your voyage back to Bowness.

Looking for more great walks in the Lake District? We have plenty of routes nearby, including Cat Bells, Tarn Hows and Helvellyn.

Lake District walks

Of all the national parks in Britain, the Lake District in North England is arguably the most celebrated – discover the area’s fells, rivers, waters and towns with our guide to the best walks in the Lake District National Park.

Claife Heights walk

6.4 miles/10.3km | 4 hours | moderate | 308m ascent

1. Sawrey

Catch the ferry to the western (Sawrey) terminus. Walk the road for 175m; then eyes peeled for the waymarked path (right) beside the large wood-clad building through to a tarred lane. Turn right and commence a gently undulating, largely traffic-free saunter alongside or just above Windermere.

2. Belle Grange house

In 2.5 miles you’ll approach elegant, white-painted Belle Grange house. Immediately before, 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 (Sawrey via Tarns), then straightaway fork left along the decent, rising path to reach another wide forestry road.