Wray to Latterbarrow circular walk
Starting and finishing at the Castle at Wray, this route through fields and woodland offers rewarding Lakes views without the big fell climb.
Total steps: 12
Total steps: 12
Start point
Wray Castle car park
Step 1
From the back of Wray car park, follow the signs down to Windermere Lake shore. Keeping the lake on your left, follow the shoreline, past the large boathouse until you reach a gate. Take the lake shore path to the left.
Step 2
After 50m go through the small gate on the right. Follow the footpath up the fields.
Step 3
Cross the gated stone stile at the top of the fields, following the path round to the right and onto the road. Turn left and walk along the road past the junction.
Step 4
Turn left up the track signposted High Wray Basecamp. After 300m, take the right-hand fork and go through the gate into the Claife Forestry Commission land. At the first corner after the gate, take the signed footpath on the right into the woodland.
Step 5
Follow the single-track footpath as it winds its way through the woods, crossing a stream and climbing up out of the woodland onto the scrubland of Latterbarrow.
Step 6
Keep climbing until you reach the stone cairn marking the summit of Latterbarrow, 244m above sea level. Take time to soak up the panoramic views. See if you can spot the sea to the south.
Step 7
Continue straight over the summit in the same direction you reached it from. At the bottom of the hill, turn right and follow the footpath along the wall on your left, crossing the stream along the way.
Step 8
Once at the road, turn left, then right 50m further down the lane towards Loanthwaite. Continue along the lane for 800m.
Step 9
Turn right off the road onto a public footpath signed High Tock How. Follow the farm track into the fields. Go over several fields before crossing the stream. Pass over a stile. Keep Latterbarrow and the farm buildings to your right. On reaching the field wall follow the path up to the right into the farmyard area.
Step 10
On the other side of the farmyard a road forks. Go left towards the cottages and a signposted footpath past Hole House towards Wray church. Here the view of Blelham Tarn opens up below you, with the fells of Fairfield Horseshoe and Red Screes in the distance above Ambleside.
Step 11
Follow the footpath through the fields, over stiles, through gates and over a footbridge. At the wooded knoll bear left along the path to the road.
Step 12
Turn left onto the road, taking care with traffic on the corner. After the vicarage (once the home of Hardwicke Rawnsley, one of the founders of The National Trust) enter the church car park. A gate in the metal fence leads into Wray Castle grounds. Follow this old, grassed over, carriage drive back to the walled garden and up to the castle, café and toilets.
End point
Wray car park
Trail map
More near here
Wray to Blelham Tarn circular walk
Discover fascinating stories from the past and enjoy some great views on a circular walk from Wray to Blelham Tarn that also takes in the Windermere shoreline.
Get in touch
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
Things to see and do outside at Wray
Discover the miles of paths, lakeshore and parkland history at Wray, and learn the history of this fascinating estate. Pick up a map and leaflet in JOEY's Cafe.
Things to see and do inside Wray
Discover Wray's church-like interiors and visit the photography exhibition.
Eating at Wray
Need some refreshment during your visit to Wray? Our partners at JOEY's Café offer a wide range of snacks and drinks to help you refuel before or after your adventures.
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.
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.
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.
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.