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Stagshaw Garden
Pause for a rest with a view of Windermere at Stagshaw Gardens | © National Trust / Jenny Sutton
Lake District

Explore from Waterhead walk

Do you like exploring? If so, a short walk from Waterhead will bring you to Skelghyll Woods and Jenkins Field where you can explore ancient woodlands, walk among some of the tallest trees in Cumbria, visit a fantastic early summer garden, take in the views from Jenkins Crag, or paddle in Windermere.

Total steps: 11

Total steps: 11

Start point

Waterhead Pier, grid ref: SY376031

Step 1

Head off from Waterhead along the main A591 road in the direction of Windermere for about 200yd (180m) until you reach Waterhead Marine (looks like a garage) and take care crossing the road.

Step 2

Walk up this wooded lane for 300yd (270m) until you reach a tarmac lane and turn left up the hill towards a small car parking area at Stagshaw Gardens. During spring this is a great time to take a short detour around the gardens before heading on with the rest of the trail.

Step 3

Walk through a wooden gate and follow the steep track up through the wood that borders the fence of Stagshaw Gardens until you reach a triangle of very large Douglas fir trees. This is a good place for a breather.

Step 4

Take the right-hand track up by the river until you reach the bridge over Stencher Beck. Take either of the two paths that lead uphill and continue until it flattens out and you reach a sign identifying Jenkins Crag. This is all the hard climbing work completed and you can now stop and take in the views.

Step 5

Retrace your steps back down to the conifers at the triangle and take a level track on the left through the woodland. Stop and admire the large conifers below the path.

Step 6

Carry on along this path and pass by some broken down walls where you leave the conifers behind and move into an area of oak woodland. Follow this path downhill and watch out for a couple of slippery outcrops. This is one of the best places for bluebells.

Step 7

At the foot of this footpath, turn right and walk back alongside a high dry-stone wall back to the car park at Stagshaw Gardens. Look out for the large conifers on the top side of the path, it is well worth a short detour to stand underneath them.

Step 8

Follow the road back down the hill and turn right to go down the wooded lane.

Step 9

Recross the road to Waterhead Marine and look for a stile in the low wall to the left, which marks the entrance onto Jenkins Field.

Step 10

There is about 500yd (450m) of lakeshore access with the best beach at the far end.

Step 11

Retrace your steps back to Waterhead Marine and follow the road back to Waterhead.

End point

Waterhead pier, grid ref: SY376031

Trail map

Map route for Explore from Waterhead walk
Map route for Explore from Waterhead walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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