Route: Circuit of Loweswater
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 6th July 2018
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 4.3 miles
Ascent: 200 feet
Weather: Cloudy at first, becoming brighter
This is a walk we’ve done many times, and one which we could never tire of. As usual we parked in the small car park at Maggie’s Bridge, although the walk could be started just as conveniently from one of the roadside parking spaces near the foot of the lake
After following the track through the fields we arrived at the head of Loweswater and entered into Holme Wood, which is well managed by the National Trust and contains some wonderful old native trees. A little way along we opted to follow the path by the lakeshore, rather than the main track which runs through the wood
After emerging from Holme Wood and admiring the lovely retrospective views we walked past Hudson Place and followed the path around the foot of the lake. This brought us up to the Loweswater road, and from we set out on the return leg, which is partly along the road and partly along an adjacent lakeshore footpath
Just before Loweswater village we turned off along the lane back to Maggie’s Bridge to end a walk which never fails to please
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The start of the walk as we head towards Loweswater from Maggie’s Bridge
Looking across to Carling Knott and Gavel Fell
Bonnie
Holme Wood ahead as we arrive at the head of Loweswater
Looking across to Whiteside
Morning Glory, or bindweed if it’s in your garden
We follow the track through Holme Wood
The track continues ahead but we fork right here to keep closer to the lakeshore
We pass by the bothy, available to rent from the National Trust
Holme Wood...
Bonnie has climbed this wall stile numerous times and waits impatiently for us to catch up
Water lilies
Blue Damselfly
We continue towards the foot of the lake
Looking back as the sun starts to break through
Miresyke on the far side of the lake
Views back along this lovely section of the path...
We pass by Hudson Place and follow the lane downhill for a short distance
Having turned off the lane, we follow a path across the foot of Loweswater
Looking back to Loweswater and Holme Wood...
On the return leg now, the first section of which is along the road
Carling Knott and Holme Wood
Backlit fern
Carling Knott again
Hencomb
We pass by the head of the lake
Back on the road again, views of Mellbreak...
We turn off the road and walk along the lane to Maggie’s Bridge
Looking back to Low Fell
The end of a wonderful walk is just around the corner
Later in the day - after 6 weeks or more without rain, water sources are drying up and this red squirrel takes advantage of the birdbath in the garden
