Windermere North

Mission Statement: Explore the North section of England’s largest lake

Launch Location: Bowness – Ferry Nab

Trail Introduction

This trails starts at Ferry Nab, Bowness and takes you on an anti- clockwise route North along the Eastern edge of Windermere all the way up to Waterhead in Ambleside, the Northern end of the lake. With plenty of stops along the way to explore the North of the lake especially during our long summer days. Returning South you will sail along the Western edge and back to Bowness.

About the area:
Windermere is a ribbon lake, formed 13,000 years ago during the last major ice age. As the ice receded artic char were left behind and can still be caught on the lake to this day. There are 18 islands on Windermere, the largest is Belle Island and is privately owned. Many are called holme from the local word for island. Alfred Wainwright made his first trip to The Lakes by train to Windermere in 1930. From the station he climbed the path to the viewpoint at Orrest Head overlooking the lake. “It was a moment of magic, a revelation so unexpected that I stood transfixed, unable to believe my eyes.” This trip was to change his life as he went on to create his ‘Pictorial Guides to theLakeland Fells’. The seven books were written over 13 years and describe 214 fells accompanied by delightful hand drawn illustrations. These guides are still in print and have an avid following, with many walkers following in Wainwright’s footsteps. The quickest time that all 214 peaks have been completed was under six days in 2021.

Interesting fact:
Reed beds offer essential resting places for birds all year round and are unfortunately on the decline. Whilst there is ongoing work to reverse this decline it is politely requested that boats do not land on shoreline areas with reed beds or drag boats through these reed beds. These areas are well marked on this trail. Thank you. The flow of water on Windermere is so slow it takes approximately 6 months for a drop of rainwater at the North end to reach the Southern end.

Grading: TBC

Round Trip Distance:
Approximately 10 miles. (8.5 Nautical miles )

Approximate Time that the Trail will take:
Approximately 4 hours.

OS Map or Chart: OS OL7

Trail Details

1. Launch from Ferry Nab and head north, keeping Belle Isle to your port side
2. Sail past busy Bowness bay, or stop and explore via the public jetty ( 2 hour max )
3. Leave the bay and continue north, keeping to the east side of the lake and watching out for the shallow areas around the small islands Hen Holme, Lady Holme & Rough Holme
4. Stop off at the jetty museum for a visit
5. Moor up to the Rayrigg public jetty and stop for lunch, explore the park or let the kids run off steam on the waterfront
6. Continue north taking in the amazing scenery and passing Miller Ground Bay
7. Stop at the jetty for the Brockhole café and adventure playground
8. Sail past Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, the Lake District’s first resort hotel
9. Stop off at Waterhead (public jetty 2 hours max) for a stroll or some shopping
10. Head south down towards Wray Castle
11. Stop off at Wray Castle, the home of one of the founders of The National Trust (max stay 2 hours) – Be sure to moor up on the right-hand side of the Launch pontoon
12. Sail on past Belle Grange Bay or moor up to Bark Barn public jetty (2 hours max) to explore
13. On approach to Belle Isle, head between the island and the western shoreline. Red buoys will mark any known shallow areas

The lake is always cold and wetsuits are advised before swimming.

Red buoys on the lake mark out shallow areas and rocks.

Trip Extensions:
Visit Stock Ghyll Force Waterfalls.

Feel like a challenge? Try the great North swim.

Toilets:
Toilets can be found at the start/finish location, the Jetty museum, Rayrigg, Brockhole café and Waterhead.

Toilets What3Words:
Ferry Nab ///bogus.defected.doped
The Jetty Museum ///keepers.tinny.enhances
Rayrigg ///baths.thinking.caring
Brockhole cafe´ ///buns.clincher.rejected
Waterhead ///deluded.rash.informer

Page Month Published:
March 2025
Updated October 2025

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