View from the ground up to the towering canopy of several tall fir trees, some with square labels on their trunks — The tallest grand fir in Cumbria, on the Champion Tree Trail, Skelghyll Woods | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Lake District

Ambleside Champion Tree Trail

Follow the tree symbols as you wind through Skellghyll Woods, and discover some of the tallest trees in Cumbria – and England. With picnic benches at all the best viewpoints, this is a great short walk to enjoy at lunchtime. You may even spot a red squirrel having a snack too.

View or download a print-friendly version of this trail

Total steps: 10

Start point

Stagshaw Garden National Trust car park, off the A591, grid ref: NY38100290

Step 1

Standing in the car park for Stagshaw Garden, look uphill and you will see a metal sign saying Skelghyll Woods. At this sign take the right-hand footpath into the woods.

Close-up of a trail waymarker on a post, which says 'Start' with an image of a green tree on it — Follow the waymarks through Skelghyll Woods to see some of Cumbria's tallest trees | © National Trust/Ben Knipe

Step 2

Follow the route as it passes the first of three picnic benches, and joins a historic track that is wide and gentle. It passes through conifers that were planted by Victorian plant collectors.

Step 3

Shortly after passing through a gap cut into a fallen tree, turn left to begin a steep climb through the Gallery of Giants.

Bluebells and bright green bracken carpet a woodland floor, with green-leaved tree canopy above — Bluebells in Skelghyll Woods, Ambleside | © National Trust Images/Robert Morris

Step 4

If you don’t have the energy to walk up this steep hill, there is a picnic bench here where you can admire champion trees with ease. Otherwise continue uphill, looking at the trees as you go.

Step 5

After a short trek, you will be in amongst the tallest Wellingtonia and Douglas fir trees in Cumbria, and the tallest grand fir in England. Their heights are written on plaques attached to the trees.

Step 6

Halfway up the hill, turn right to follow a narrow path onto a wide, rocky outcrop. If you turn around and look, you can see the tallest tree in its entirety – a rare and awe-inspiring sight.

Step 7

From here, stay on the outcrop but meander uphill to re-join the path. It gently curves up and left, passing another picnic bench sited on a flat piece of ground called a ‘charcoal hearth’ that coppice craftsmen will have used when making charcoal.

Step 8

Pass through another gap in a fallen tree and follow the gentle curve up and right, weaving between trees in a conifer grove, each with unique colours and patterns on their bark.

Step 9

On joining a level path, turn left and follow this until you reach a junction with a larger path weaving down through the wood. Follow this wide track downhill, keeping left as you go, past a beautiful bubbling beck.

Step 10

Before long you will find yourself back in the car park where you started, hopefully with enough time to explore Stagshaw Garden.

A path through flowering rhododendrons at Stagshaw Garden, Ambleside, Cumbria. — Stagshaw Garden, Ambleside, in June. | © National Trust Images/Robert Morris

End point

Stagshaw Garden National Trust car park, off the A591, grid ref: NY38100290

Trail map

The view of Wray Castle across lake Windermere

Trail

Post Knott, Windermere views walk

Enjoy a relaxing walk that meanders through the central fells of the Lake District and offers impressive views of Windermere, along with a choice of picnic sites and resting places

An elevated view of Lake Windermere towards Wray Castle on the walk from Ambleside to Townend and Troutbeck, Cumbria.

Trail

Ambleside to Troutbeck walk

From Ambleside go on a circular discovery walk through country lanes, woods and fields. Along the way enjoy views of Lake Windermere, visit Troutbeck village and Townend farmhouse, and climb up to Wansfell Pike for great views of the fells.

near Windermere, Cumbria

01539446027

windermere@nationaltrust.org.uk

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website

Walking

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

Walking in the Lake District

From gentle ambles to more challenging hikes, these are some of the best walks to explore the heart of the Lake District.

A man and a woman enjoy the view whilst walking in the Peak District

Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner

Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon

Article

Staying safe at National Trust places

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.

Article

Follow the Countryside Code

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

A bridge crossing a stream at Stagshaw Garden, Ambleside, Cumbria.

Article

Things to do at Stagshaw Garden and Ambleside

Make the most of the lakeshore paths next to Windermere, lofty peaks and ancient woodlands in Ambleside with these recommended walks. Step back in time at the Roman fort and 17th-century Bridge House.