Six Walks to do from Bowness…

There’s no surprise Bowness is one the most popular towns in the Lake District; the town sits on the shores of the lake and is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. Although the town doesn’t sit below any major mountains, the area is still a hikers paradise with a range of smaller hills, lakeside strolls and woodland trials to explore. 

There’s no need for cars or public transport for any of these routes, they all start directly from Bowness. 

  • Brant Fell 

Distance: 2.5km Time: 1 hour Difficulty: Easy 

Brant Fell is a very small hill on the edge of Bowness that offers a stunning long, open lake viewpoint for minimal effort. The route starts at Brantfell Road along the Dales Way. Leaving the path right at Post Knott the footpath leads to the top of Brant Fell, taking in spectacular views of Windermere lake over the trees. 

  • Orrest Head 

Distance: 5.6km Time: 2 hours Difficulty: Easy

A must-visit hill in the Windermere area, Orrest Head is famous for being the first hill Wainwright walked in the Lake District, sparking his love for the fells. There are a number of ways up the hill, but starting from Bowness, you follow Lake Road northeast out of the town to the junction at Church Street. Once here, the route is way marked and easily navigated to the top following a fully tarmacked track making this route accessible for all. 

  • Cockshot Point to Ferry Nab 

Distance: 2km Time: 1 hour Difficulty: Easy

An easy lakeside stroll from Cockshot Point to Ferry Nab is perfect for a morning walk or evening saunter. The flat, circular route begins at Glebe Road car park, following a path into the fields. A small diversion right across the grass takes you up to Cockshot Point. From here, you get a sneak peak of the private house at Belle Isle peering out from above the trees. Follow the lake path bending right until you reach the route end at Ferry Nab. Here you can take a seat on one of the benches overlooking the water and enjoy a refreshment at Dan’s Shack café.

  • Bowness Circular 

Distance: 6.5km Time: 3 hours Difficulty: Medium

This moderate circular walk is perfect for exploring the area surrounding Bowness including the atmosphere of the busy town and the quieter, more relaxed countryside parts including a small hill too! Starting at Bowness Pier, head up to Biskey Howe; a beautiful viewpoint overlooking Windermere lake and Bowness village. This is an up and down hill but too good to miss out! Once back down onto Helm Road, follow the path towards Matson Ground. A footpath then skirts the fields on the edge of town leading to Scout Beck. The footpath then follows the river until you cross the beck onto the Dales Way, taking in stunning countryside. The circular route finishes back at Matson Ground passing Brant Fell before returning back to the town.

  • The Dales Way (Bowness Section)

Varied time and distance depending how far you go… 

The Dales Way is an 80-mile long distance trail stretching from Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness. You’re more than welcome to try the whole route, however a much easier and shorter option when visiting Bowness is to explore the section running through the area! From Brantfell Road, find the stone bench marked ‘For those who walk the Dalesway’.Using the bench as a starting point, the route is signposted till the end passing over small hills, farmland and riverbanks. From Bowness using the signposts, you can explore as little or far as you please!

  • Hill Top and Moss Eccles Tarn walk   

Distance: 4.5km Time: 2 hours Difficulty: Easy

A beautiful, countryside walk exploring the Windermere locations that inspired the settings and characters in the children’s tales by famous Lakeland author Beatrix Potter. The walk starts at Near Sawrey, home to Beatrix Potters house Hill Top, which can be reached via the ferry from Bowness. A footpath weaves behind Hill Top following a track to Far Sawrey which heads to Calife Heights woodland ending at Moss Eccles Tarn. The lily pads on the tarn inspired the home of Beatrix Potter’s famous toad character Jeremy Fisher. The circular route returns on a footpath heading south back to Hill Top at Near Sawrey. The Tower Bank Arms pub beside the authors home was also a backdrop in her illustrations for The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck.