Patterdale and Glenamara Park trail
With views of Ullswater and the surrounding fells, this circular walk on mainly gravel paths is suitable for most fitness levels. You'll also see some of the Lake District's most striking ancient and veteran trees, including stately oaks and alder, growing in the former deer enclosure of Glenamara Park.
Start point
Patterdale Hotel, near Ullswater, CA11 0NN, grid ref: NY396159Trail information
Spotting veteran trees
Associated with the old deer park, you can find ancient and veteran trees dotted across the landscape. Good examples are the hollow alder tree, just through the gate into the park at Step 4, and the Ullswater silver birch between Step 5 and Step 6. The birch is part of The Queen's Green Canopy because of its exceptional size and condition for its species.
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Patterdale Hotel, near Ullswater, CA11 0NN, grid ref: NY396159
Stage 1
From the car park opposite the Patterdale Hotel, turn left along the road, with the hotel on your right, heading towards the White Lion Inn.
Stage 2
Opposite the Inn, turn to your right, heading up past the car park on your left and passing the public toilets as you go. Follow the track and you will pass a small building on your right.
Stage 3
Once past this small building, bear left through the trees and left again towards a gate in the fence. Go through the gate and follow the path up out onto the open fell.
Stage 4
Keep following the path and you'll come to a field gate and a wicket gate together. Go through the wicket gate. You're now entering Glenamara Park. Notice the very high wall to your left – this is the deer wall that encloses the park.
A hollow veteran alder tree just after you enter the park | © National Trust Images/John Malley Stage 5
The path takes you along the bottom of Glenamara Park, crossing Hag Beck, which runs down the middle. Take a minute to look at the wonderful views down Ullswater towards Glencoyne Park and Gowbarrow Fell in the distance.
Hag Beck runs down through Glenamara Park, Patterdale | © National Trust Images/John Malley Stage 6
Carrying on along the path you'll pass under two old oak trees on your right, then you'll see a small wooden gate below, leading out into a field. Go through this gate and follow the track down to the road below.
Stage 7
Go through the gate, out onto the single track road and turn right. Follow the road down the hill until you come to the A592 road.
Stage 8
Turn right and follow the roadside path back to the Patterdale Hotel, which is about 400yds (365m) away.
End point
Patterdale Hotel, near Ullswater, CA11 0NN, grid ref: NY396159
Trail map
Map of the Patterdale and Glenamara Park trail | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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