Windermere west shore walk
A wonderful lakeshore walk through woodland and parkland. The low-level linear route features impressive views of the islands of Windermere, interesting archaeology and the Victorian Gothic Wray Castle.
Total steps: 6
Total steps: 6
Start point
National Trust car park at Ash Landing, grid ref: SD388954
Step 1
Turn left as you exit the National Trust Ash Landing car park. Follow the track with a low wooden barrier. Walk past Claife Viewing station and follow the tarmac road through the farmland, with the lake on your right. After ½ mile (800m), cross a cattle grid and continue along the gravel track, past Strawberry Gardens caravan site.
Step 2
Continue straight ahead along the track through the woodland, eventually passing Bark Barn (built in the 19th century for storing oak bark before being transported to local tanneries for use in the leather industry) on your right and then Belle Grange House on your left. Continue along the gravel track until you reach the tarmac road, with Red Nab car park just to the right.
Step 3
Bear right through the car park and continue along the lakeshore, passing a low wooden barrier. Continue along this track, passing two small boathouses on the way, until you come to two field gates crossing the track – one with a stone squeeze-through stile next to it, the second with a footpath gate.
Step 4
Just after the second gate, turn right through the footpath gate in the wall and walk through the parkland, past the third boathouse in High Wray Bay, keeping the lake on your right.
Step 5
Follow the lakeshore path through the parkland towards Wray Castle. After the short steep section of path, turn right at the brow of the hill and head towards the metal gate into Watbarrow Wood.
Step 6
Keeping the lake on your right, follow the path through the wood until you reach a large boathouse. At this point you can follow the path by the railings up to the castle, or along to the wooden jetty at the second large Gothic boathouse. Windermere Lake Cruises run a boat seasonally from the Wray Castle Jetty to Waterhead & Brockhole – check their website for latest timetables. Alternatively retrace your steps back along the lakeshore to Harrowslack car park.
End point
Harrowslack National Trust car park, grid ref: SD388959
Trail map
More near here
Ash Landing and Claife Heights Windermere walk
Challenge yourself with a walk along Windermere's undeveloped western side and discover some of the Lake District's most dramatic views. Here you can find a café and toilets before heading back to the car park.
Get in touch
Beside the Ferry on Windermere's west shore, near Far Sawrey, Hawkshead, Cumbria
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
You might also be interested in
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.
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.
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.
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.