I've been getting feedback for a while now about difficulties on the Windermere Way at Low Moor How Farm. It appears the resident is not happy about people crossing his yard to join the RUPP that continues on towards Ludderburn. It's fairly obvious that at some point long ago, the path from Blake Holme and Moor How would have gone straight through the yard of High Moor How but at some point a diversion order was sought and the path diverted below High Moor How and through the yard of Low Moor How. This is still the official route and there doesn't seem to be any obstruction.


Moor How Farms from the south

There is however a further 'unofficial' diversion now that follows a different route. Both High and Low Moor How are set on a steep slope. The 'alternative' route drops even further down the slope and now seems to be the route that is followed by most people, the official route being somewhat overgrown. The 'alternative' route is signposted by large home made laminated signs.


The official route is on the left, the ‘alternative’ one on the right.

There really isn't a problem with the 'alternative' route being used, until you get to the point where it rejoins the official route. This junction is not obvious and if not careful you will find yourself heading downhill towards Oaks Farm. Once past Low Moor How, you need to double back up the old path and then through the yard to join the Road. By this point you are well past the house anyway but this is apparently where the trouble lies. Although it is a matter of a few yards and you have a right of way through the yard there is seemingly no direct connection between the path and the road. Most of the time you will not find anyone around and there shouldn't be a problem. I myself have visited Low Moor How on several occasions and not found anyone there to impede my progress.



If you are challenged at this point, the only real recourse is to descend towards Oaks farm and join the road (A on the map). Alternative routes avoiding Low Moor How altogether are to ascent Moor How and then take the obvious path down to Park Cliffe joining Birks road (B on the map) or descend directly in a northerly direction from the top of Moor How which will bring you out on Birks Road, slightly higher up (Option C).



The approach to Low Moor How from the north. The ‘private’ bit is between here and the greenhouse.

If you are walking the Windermere Way anti-clockwise and get to Low Moor How and encounter a problem the only diplomatic course is to retrace your steps I'm afraid, back as far as the crossroads, then choose on of the alternatives.

Personally, I can't imagine that an official footpath diversion would have been put in place without it connecting up to the original path at both ends and I am seeking to establish the validity of this 'alternative' route. In the meantime I suggest using the alternatives where possible.

Tags: route, moor how, access

Since I started the Windermere Way website I’ve had the odd request for information about guided walks around the route. A bit of online research soon showed that whilst there were plenty of people offering to guide along the Dales Way or the Coast to Coast footpath, no one was yet offering guiding along the Windermere Way.

Well, few people know the route as well as I do and as more requests were coming in I decided to set aside a few dates to lead small groups around the Lake.

The dates planned so far for this year are

June 4th - 7th (Wednesday to Saturday)
July 8th - 11th (Tuesday to Thursday)
August 11th - 14th (Monday to Thursday)
September 12th - 15th (Friday to Monday)
October 10th - 13th (Friday to Monday)
November 13th - 16th (Thursday to Sunday)

I’ve set up another website lakeland-walks.co.uk to promote the walks and explain all the details and how to book. So if you fancy a gentle walk around the best lake in England, make a date in your diary now and send in your booking.

I walked the original route for the Windermere Way during the winter of 2000 and it's a while since I revisited some parts of the walk. The lovely spring sunshine tempted me out this week. As I live in Windermere the far side of the lake beckoned and in bright sunshine I boarded the Windermere Ferry. The LDSPB has been busy installing new signs to direct tourists to Beatrix Potter's former house at Hill Top.


This little chap was hoping for an early lunch.

At the top I left and turned down the road to Cunsey, rejoining the lakeshore path a little further on. There were a few folk on the path but very little activity on the lake itself, until I neared Rawlinson Nab when a farmers shotgun startled a large flock of Canada Geese who honked noisily across the lake before settling a flurry of spray.



Further south, and across the road the day really warmed up and the views back up the lake from Stott Park Heights were really clear. Moving on I swiftly arrived at High Dam which despite the sunshine was completely frozen over.



Not having time to continue the last mile as I had an urgent appointment, I dropped down to the road and returned back to the ferry. Unfortunately I failed to heed my own advice. The ferry was there but it was full. I had to wait 20 minutes for it to return and was late back. Still the day was too good miss.

I've just added the Bowness to Ambleside section of the Windermere Way to the Samoodi site. Samoodi lets you record details of your walks, runs, cycling routes etc for everyone to share. The route is overlaid on to Google Maps so you can see either the route or using the satellite view, the topography. It also links to flickr so you can see scenes along the way. You can also see the distance of the route (the website shows this part of the route to be 9.6 miles) as well as a graph showing the elevation along the route.

It's loads of fun and I'll add the rest of the route soon.

I've had a few emails asking my advice about doing the walk in December. Well last week was rather wet and the lake level high, which would lead to difficulties in one or two places. This week however has been cold and frosty with an inversion over the lake most mornings.
December therefore is a bit of a mixed bag but if you're looking for peace and quiet it' certainly a good time to walk. Just make sure you check Ferry and steamer times if you're planning to use them. If you've emailed me recently and not had a reply, sorry but one or two emails didn't have a proper return address. Anyone wanting more info just use our contact form.

A recently built footbridge at Skelwith Bridge offers Windermere Way walkers an alternative crossing point. The bridge is about 300 metres upstream of the road bridge, just above the impressive Skelwith Force. A new footpath has been constructed through the woods that also has links to Little Langdale and Elterwater.



However, I think the most amazing thing about this bridge is it's contemporary design. Usually in places like this the Planning Board insist on local stone and timber construction. Here they have been brave and allowed an outstanding design which beautifully compliments it's surroundings.

The paths that link the bridge to the roads are gently graded and suitable for wheelchairs users. It's well worth a visit if you're in the area.

We've been out and about adding waymarking to the route of the Windermere Way.



To get the ball rolling, the first waymarks have been added around the southern end of the walk and from Bowness up to Robin Lane on Wansfell. Our objective is to mark where the path leaves or joins a road first then later on add more waymarks at suitable points along the route.

I've been out and about recently and noticed one or two things that will affect the overall route description. Over the next few weeks, I'll revisit as much of the route as I can and update the site with fresh information.