Selection of Popular Walks, Bike Rides and Green Routes
Near Howe is ideally situated to explore the Lake District, with many of the major fells within easy reach.
You could also choose to explore some of the hidden gems just around the corner, where you will be able to escape the crowds whilst taking in some spectacular scenery.
Each Walk, Bike Ride or Green Routes gives you a start point (including distance from Near Howe), approximate duration, together with a Route which can be downloaded in PDF format, or copied to your GPS device.
We hope that you enjoy them as much as we do!
Click on a Walk below to get more detail
- Souther Fell Round From Near Howe
- Bowscale Tarn
- Blenacthra Returning Via The Tongue
- Walla Crags and Castlerigg Fell
- Ullswater Steamer Walk - Shore
- Ullswater Steamer Walk - Stags
- Gowbarrow Round
- Loughrigg Terrace
- Buttermere Round
Click on a Mountain Bike Ride/Green Route below to get more detail
Click Here to find Links to Other Walking Sites
A Panoramic View of the Northern Fells feen from Near Howe
Click on the Image to Download a larger version.
Walks
Souther Fell Round From Near Howe (Walk)
Start Point - Near Howe
Duration - 3.2 Hours plus stops (7.4 Miles)
This walk starts and ends at Near Howe, and takes in the Souther Fell, immediately opposite Near Howe,.via a circular route up the Glenderamackin river and Mousethawaite Comb.
The walk can easily be shortened by 3 miles by starting and ending at the Mill Inn in Mungrisdale.
This 3 mile section of the walk can be done on its own as a round trip to the Mill Inn from Near Howe.
Bowscale Tarn (Walk)
Start Point - Bowscale Car Park (2.7 miles from Near Howe)
Duration - 2 Hours plus stops (3.1 Miles)
A gentle walk up to a secluded tarn. The route starts by following a bridle path along the side of Bowscale Fell. Once close to the tarn, the gradient increases enough to leave you short of breath, but this section is only quite short.
They say that it is possible to swim in the tarn, but I can not vouch for that myself!
Please note that the route below only shows one way, you should return along the same path, or descend from the tarn and return via the road.
Blenacthra Returning Via The Tongue (Walk)
Start Point - Mill Inn Car Park (1 mile from Near Howe)
Duration - 4 Hours plus stops (8.1 Miles)
This is the easiest way to experience the delights of Blencathra. The first section of the walk (3.5 miles) takes you from the Mill Inn at Mungrisdale, round the back of Souther Fell, following the easy gradient of the Glenderamackin river up past Sharp Edge to reach a point between Bannerdale and Atkinson Pike (an ideal place for lunch).
You can then decide on tackling the summit of Blencathra with its spectacular views over the Northern Lakes (2 miles), or missing this section out and going across to Bannerdale Crags (very spectacular) and down via the Tongue.
Walla Crags and Castlerigg Fell (Walk)
Start Point - (9 miles from Near Howe)
Duration - 2 Hours plus stops (3.9 Miles)
A great walk with fantastic views over Derwent Water.
When parking the car there are just a few spaces at the end of the Rakefoot road past Castlerigg Hall Caravan Park, otherwise try before The Heights Hotel.
Be prepared for a sharp pull straight up the fell to start with.
The ground levels out across the top and the fabulous views are well worth it!
Ullswater Steamer Walk - Shore (Walk)
Start Point - Glenridding (10 miles from Near Howe)
Duration - 3.5 Hours plus stops (6.2 Miles)
Park up in Glenridding and take the Ullswater Steamer to Howtown where the walk takes you down the shores of Ullswater. Although it may seem that the walk should be flat and along the shore, do not be fooled! It is a superb walk, but does rise and fall along its length, and crosses some quite rocky ground that can be slippery when wet.
Taking everything into account, it is a great day out though. There is a superb viewing place just over 3 miles from Howtown which an ideal point to have lunch.
Ullswater Steamer Walk - Stags (Walk)
Start Point - Glenridding (10 miles from Near Howe)
Duration - 3.5 Hours plus stops (6.2 Miles)
Park up in Glenridding and take the Ullswater Steamer to Howtown where the walk takes you down the shores of Ullswater. The walk starts off on the secluded back roads from Howtown through to Dale Head in Martindale. This little explored valley is reserve for a large herd of Red Deer. At first they are quite difficult to spot, but once you get your eye in there are large numbers to see.
You then follow an easy gradient path that rises up and over Beda Fell and down into Patterdale.
If you are feeling adventurous, then this walk can easily be extended to take in Halin Fell or Place Fell.
Gowbarrow Round From Aira Force (Walk)
Start Point - Middle Car Park Aira Force (7.5 miles from Near Howe)
Duration - 3.1 Hours plus stops (7.3 Miles)
The walk starts by taking in the delights of Aira Force, and then passes behind the unusual Lyulph's Tower before a short pull up the fall takes you to a reasonably flat path that skirts its way round Gowbarrow with fantastic views out over Ullswater.
The next section of the walk takes you though a wooded hillside and out onto the road leading to Watermillock.
The second half of the walk (3.5 miles) follows the country road down to the lake and then follows the road along the lake. This section can be omitted by parking a car a both ends of the walk.
Loughrigg Terrace (Walk)
Start Point - Park on the Car Park at White Moss between Grasmere and Rydal Water (17.5 miles from Near Howe)
Duration - 1.5 Hours plus stops (3 Miles)
The walk starts by taking you through the woods between Grasmere and Rydal Water and the crosses the bridge over the river Rothay.
Take the left track you then rise a little way up to meet Loughrigg Terrace which offers fantastic views over Grasmere.
At the end of the terrace you have an option to branch left and climb to the top of Loughrigg Fell, or carry on to complete the round. Though the climb is quite steep the view gets better by the minute. Jill Surprised herself by making it up this section, and agrees that the climb is well worth it.
From the top you will find a fantastic panorama of all the surrounding Fells and Lakes. We did the walk in Autumn to find the place where our dining room panorama was taken from. The day was perfect and is one we will never forget!
Loughrigg Terrace Panorama 20 Oct 2010, click for a Larger Copy
Mountain Bike Rides/Green Routes
Buttermere Round (Walk)
Start Point - Buttermere (18 miles from Near Howe Via Newlands Valley)
Duration - 1.5 Hours plus stops (4.5 Miles)
This is one of the most scenic and enjoyable circuits of a lake to be found anywhere in the area.
Park just up the road from Buttermere. and walk down past the Bridge Inn (highly recommended for a pint and a bite to eat) and The Fish down to the lake where the walk proper starts
Look out for the tunnel on the return back up the lake!
Blenacthra Round From Near Howe (Mountain Bikes and Intrepid Walkers)
Start Point - Near Howe
Distance - 16.6 Miles
This circular route round Blencathra takes you along the gated road from Mungrisdale to the White Horse at Scales, and then along a path by the A66 for a mile before passing through the village of Threlkeld and on up to the Blencatha Centre.
The route now goes off road through to Skidaw House and then on behind Blencathra to Swineside where you can stop for a swim in the natural pool in the beck at the top of the tarmac road.
Now follow the back roads through Mosedale and Bowscale back to Near Howe. A truly great day out ending at the Mill Inn for a well deserved pint!
- Download a Route Card for this Mountain Bike Ride (PDF)
- Download a GPS Route for this Mountain Bike Ride (MMO)
The Old Coach Road From Near Howe (Mountain Bikes and 4x4's)
Start Point - Near Howe
Duration - 17.9 Miles
This route doubles for Mountain Bikes and 4x4's as it takes in the Old Coach Road which is a recognised Green Route.
Leave Near Howe for the Troutbeck Turn on the A66 from where you take the Ullswater road. Just over 2 miles down here you bear off to the right along a country lane heading for Dowthwaitehead. Just under 2 miles down this road you turn left along the Old Coach Road, which takes you all the way through to the St Johns In The Vale road.
Turn right along the road to return to the A66 at Threlkeld, and then via the gated road to Mungrisdale and on to Near Howe via the Mill Inn for a well urned pint!
All Maps © 2006 Crown Copyright; Ordnance Survey, Licence Number PU 100034184