Loweswater and Holme Wood from Maggie's Bridge
A level, fully accessible walk along the quiet south shore of Loweswater into the oaks of Holme Wood. A Miles without Stiles route for all.
- Distance
- 3.8 km
- 2.4 miles
- Ascent
- 5 m
- High point 130 m
- Time
- 1 hour
- Walking time, no stops
- Grade
- Easy
- There and back
Take this walk with you
This route is on paths Google Maps knows, so the walking link follows it closely. The GPX is still the exact line. To see the line in Google Maps, open Google My Maps, create a map, choose Import and pick the KML file. It then appears in the Google Maps app under Saved, Maps.
Weather on this walk
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Loweswater is the lake most visitors never find, tucked behind Crummock Water at the far western edge of the fells, and it is all the better for it. This walk follows the stone track past Watergate Farm and into Holme Wood, a lovely mixed wood running down to the water, with Burnbank Fell rising steeply above.
A short loop on the lakeshore path takes you past a small stone bothy by the water before rejoining the main track. It is one of the few Lake District routes graded for all by the National Park's Miles without Stiles scheme, so it works for wheelchairs, pushchairs and anyone wanting peace rather than effort.
There is an optional, much steeper detour up a forest track to a viewpoint with a picnic bench, for those who want a higher look along the lake.
The route
- 1
To Watergate Farm
From Maggie's Bridge car park follow the stone track west towards Watergate Farm. Keep to the track past the farm rather than taking the short-cut across the grass.
- 2
Into Holme Wood
Go through the gate into Holme Wood and cross a small stream. Shortly afterwards, a path on the right drops to the lakeshore past a small bothy.
- 3
Along the shore
Follow the lakeshore path for about half a kilometre until it rejoins the main track, then turn left along it.
- 4
Viewpoint and return
Continue to the turning point in the wood. If you want the viewpoint, take the forest track on the right, which climbs steeply at up to 1 in 7 to a picnic bench. Return past Watergate Farm to Maggie's Bridge.
Questions people ask
Is the Loweswater walk wheelchair accessible?
Yes. It is Lake District National Park Miles without Stiles route 26, graded for all. Class 2 or 3 mobility scooters only. The optional viewpoint track is steep.
Where do you park for Loweswater?
Maggie's Bridge car park (CA13 0RU) has spaces for six to eight cars and fills quickly.
Can you walk all the way round Loweswater?
Yes, a full circuit is possible using the road along the north shore, but this route is the traffic-free, accessible southern side.
More walks nearby
Rannerdale Knotts and the bluebell valley
Moderate, 5.3 km, 356 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes
A small fell with a big view over Crummock Water, climbed via Rannerdale, the valley famous for its May carpet of bluebells.
Buttermere lake circuit
Easy, 8.8 km, 122 m up, about 2 hours
A level walk all the way round Buttermere, with a lakeshore tunnel, a beach at the head of the lake and the High Stile ridge towering above.
Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag from Buttermere
Hard, 14.1 km, 839 m up, about 4 hours
One of Lakeland's great ridge walks: up past Bleaberry Tarn to Red Pike, along the crags to High Stile and High Crag, then down Gamlin End to Scarth Gap and the lake.
