Local Walks

Ivythwaite Lodge


Walks from Ivythwaite

The following five walks all start at the front door of Ivythwaite Lodge. Choose from lakeside strolls and uphill walks to panoramic viewpoints across Lake Windermere. All walks have full PDF guides and OS maps to ensure you keep on the right track. We have laminated copies for guests to borrow should they prefer.

School Knott  2.9 miles  75 minutes


Guide (PDF)

Map (PDF)

A summit (232m) popular with locals that does not feature in many tourist guides. A wise choice for high season and bank holiday weekends. This route winds up the gentler slopes to the south and east of School Knott, passing through beautiful Lakeland scenery via School Knott tarn.


Orrest Head  3.5 miles  75 minutes


Guide (PDF)

Map (PDF)

The most famous local summit (238m), overlooking the town of Windermere and Lake Windermere, giving great views of the Langdale Pikes on a clear day. The walk can be extended through the low fells to north of Orrest Head. There are a range of cafes and bars for a much needed pit stop on the way back to Ivythwaite.


Sheriff's Walk, Miller Ground  2.8 miles  75 minutes


Guide (PDF)

Map (PDF)

A walk through the tranquil woodland of Sheriff's Walk to the public landing jetties at Miller Ground on the eastern shore of Lake Windermere. A great place for a paddle, a picnic, and for two of our guests in 2020, a marriage proposal. There are excellent views from Queen Adelaide Hill, a short ascent from Rayrigg Meadow.


Bowness Viewpoints  3.5 miles  2 hours


Guide (PDF)

Map (PDF)

A walk which can take in one, two or all three of the panoramic viewpoints above the town of Bowness-on Windermere. The summit of Brant Fell (191m) gives superb views of the full length of Lake Windermere. Post Knott and Biskey Howe are lower summits but their proximity to the shore of the lake gives them excellent panoramas. There are a range of cafes and bars for a much needed pit stop on the way back to Ivythwaite.


Cockshott Point, Claife Viewing Station, Red Nab  8 miles  3 hours



Guide (PDF)

Map (PDF)

A lakeside walk that crosses Lake Windermere via the ferry and explores its western shoreline. Cockshott Point, en route to the ferry, gives excellent views of Belle Isle. Claife Viewing Station is a fantastic viewpoint before the walk heads north on a lake edge path towards Red Nab. Take advantage of the cafes and bars in Bowness for a much needed pit stop on the way back to Ivythwaite.



RSPB Nature Spotting Guides

Set yourself a nature spotting challenge on one of these walks by using these excellent 'Spot-It' guides, produced by the RSPB.

Birds and Mammals    Flowering Plants   Minibeasts   Tracks and Signs   Trees and Shrubs