Hawkshead to Brathay: This route explores the area north of Hawkshead, using quiet lanes and a cycle path beside the Hawkshead to Ambleside

road. Visit the mock gothic Wray Castle above Windermere and ride beside the River Brathay to the Italianate Church at

Brathay. Return to Hawkshead across typical Lakeland wooded low fell country, with glimpsed views through the trees of

Windermere to the east and the high fells to the west.

Grade: Strenuousness 2, Navigation 2, Technicality 2 Start/Finish: Hawkshead Distance: Approx. 10 miles (16km) there and back Time: 1 ½ - 3 hours Height gain: Terrain: lanes, and well graded cycle track Maps: OS Landranger 90 & 97, OS Explorer OL 7, Harveys' Superwalker (1:25 000) Lakeland South, British Mountain Maps Lake District (1:40 000). 1. From Hawkshead Post office in the centre of the village head south past the Sun Inn, to the junction by the Primary

School.

2. Turn Left, then second Left, signed ‘Wray Castle’ and go straight on through Colthouse and High Wray. Pass Wray

Castle on the right just after High Wray.

3. Turn Right, signed ‘Ambleside’, (it is possibleto take the signed cycle/footpath after about 0.4 miles on the right by the

entrance to Pullwood Bay, Where the path ends after about 0.3 miles, continue on the road, then in about 200m the path

starts again on the right), In another 0.15 miles the path crosses to the Left side of the road at the entrance to Skelwith

Fold Caravan Park. Follow this path through the woods and down to the River Brathay.

4. Turn left signed ‘Skelwith Fold’, past Brathay Church on the Left. Climb away from the river.

5. Bear Left, signed ‘Hawkshead’,to climb steadily to Barngates.

6. Turn right signed ‘Coniston’.

7. Bear Left (or straight ahead to the tea room at Betty Fold in 0.4miles, then retrace) and Left again down to Outgate.

8. Turn right to return to Hawkshead.