Ullswater in the Lake District is a popular destination for walkers and tourists due to its vast array of walks and things you can do around the area, situated in the Eastern Fells. Home to the famous Ullswater Steamers, giving you easy access to a number of walks around Ullswater and allowing you to park your vehicle in one place, sail to a different part of the lake and walk back. The Lake District is also home to the Swallows and Amazons movie which I’ve written about in the past but is a great way to explore this part of the Lakes.
Helvellyn from Glenridding
Starting off with a biggy! Helvellyn (950 m) is the 3rd highest peak in England and a peak with various different routes to try with different grades of difficulty. Helvellyn perhaps is best known for its two ridges, Striding Edge and Swirral Edge, both of which require a good head for heights as both experience sharp drops. However there are other routes which are easier to tackle and are accessible from nearby Glenridding (car parking available or there is a drop off if you choose to arrive via the Ullswater Steamers). Other peaks in this area which can be combined with Helvellyn or tackled of their own are Catstye Cam (890 m) and Dollywaggon Pike (858 m), both spectacular peaks in their own right (and probably a bit quieter!)
Aira Force to Pooley Bridge Walk
This walk is a great example of using the Ullswater Steamers to your advantage. There’s a decent sized car park in Pooley Bridge and is very close to the Pooley Bridge Pier where you can catch the Steamer to Aira Force Pier. This would require an earlier start as currently you would need to catch the Steamer from Pooley Bridge to Glenridding which takes approximately 1 hour and is £12 for an adult ticket and then catch a Steamer from Glenridding to Aira Force which takes approximately 20 minutes and is £8 for an adult ticket. Check the Ullswater Steamer website for the current timetable and prices as it will vary depending on the time of year.
Upon arrive to Aira Force, head up to the waterfalls following the Ullswater Way path, this is a pleasant walk, taking you up and past Aira Force, head East towards Gowbarrow Fell (481 m), bagging a Wainwright on the way and simply following the path back towards Pooley Bridge. This route is approximately 6.6 miles / 10.6 Kilometres.
Hallin Fell Circular Walk
Hallin Fell is a small Fell situated near Howtown Pier. Catch a steamer from either Glenridding (35 minute ride) or Pooley Bridge (25 minute ride) or find a nearby place to park the car near St Peter’s Church in Martindale. This route takes in Hallin Fell (388 m), one of the 214 Wainwrights to be climbed in the Lake District and is a nice easy hill for beginners. Taking in a section of the Ullswater Way route along the water you will come across Kailpot Crag and Birkett Plaque, a commemoration plaque in honour of Lord Birkett and all of his hard work to stop Ullswater from being turned into a resevoir. The route promises some fantastic views of the fells and mountains in the area along with sweeping views of Ullswater itself. The route is approximately 2.5 miles / 4 kilometres. Try the route as mentioned in Andrews Walks, and his fantastic photography!
Ullswater Way
The godfather of walks in Ullswater is of course tackling the Ullswater Way itself! A 20 miles route walking around the whole of Ullswater. It can be walked either way and in one go of course, but you can also easily break the walk down into easier sections, using the steamers as a means of getting back to your starting point as needed.
Pooley Bridge to Aira Force (as mentioned above) – 6.6 miles / 10.6 Kilometres
Aira Force to Glenridding – 3 miles / 4.6 Kilometres
Glenridding to Howtown – 6.5 miles / 10.5 Kilometres
Howtown to Pooley Bridge – 5 miles / 8 Kilometres
On top of the main Ullswater Way route above, there are now a couple of added routes to take in nearby attractions. As with the Ullswater Way, these are well signposted and are called Dalemain Loop and the impressive Lowther Castle Loop.
