Lake District

Explore from Waterhead walk

Pause for a rest with a view of Windermere at Stagshaw Gardens | © National Trust / Jenny Sutton

Do you like exploring? If so, a short walk from Waterhead will bring you to Skelghyll Woods and Jenkins Field where you can explore ancient woodlands, walk among some of the tallest trees in Cumbria, visit a fantastic early summer garden, take in the views from Jenkins Crag, or paddle in Windermere.

Near to

Ambleside

Start point

Waterhead Pier, grid ref: SY376031

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)

Short trail

DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

Duration1 hour to 2 hours

Dog friendly**

*Mainly quiet paths but the walk up to Jenkins Crag is steep and bumpy in places and the path can be slippery. For further information visit the section marked Terrain.
**Dogs are welcome. For further information visit the section marked Facilities.

Address
Waterhead pier, Cumbria, LA22 0EU.
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Trains terminate at Windermere station and Waterhead is 4 miles (6.4km) further along the main A591 to Ambleside.
By ferry
The Windermere Steamers ferry from Bowness berths at Waterhead and is a good way to visit this site.
By bus
Regular bus services from Windermere, Kendal, Keswick and Grasmere.
By road
Waterhead is on the main A591 road that crosses the Lake District. There are two car parks.
Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Waterhead Pier, grid ref: SY376031
Stage 1
Head off from Waterhead along the main A591 road in the direction of Windermere for about 200yd (180m) until you reach Waterhead Marine (looks like a garage) and take care crossing the road.
Stage 2
Walk up this wooded lane for 300yd (270m) until you reach a tarmac lane and turn left up the hill towards a small car parking area at Stagshaw Gardens. During spring this is a great time to take a short detour around the gardens before heading on with the rest of the trail.
Stage 3
Walk through a wooden gate and follow the steep track up through the wood that borders the fence of Stagshaw Gardens until you reach a triangle of very large Douglas fir trees. This is a good place for a breather.
Stage 4
Take the right-hand track up by the river until you reach the bridge over Stencher Beck. Take either of the two paths that lead uphill and continue until it flattens out and you reach a sign identifying Jenkins Crag. This is all the hard climbing work completed and you can now stop and take in the views.
Stage 5
Retrace your steps back down to the conifers at the triangle and take a level track on the left through the woodland. Stop and admire the large conifers below the path.
Stage 6
Carry on along this path and pass by some broken down walls where you leave the conifers behind and move into an area of oak woodland. Follow this path downhill and watch out for a couple of slippery outcrops. This is one of the best places for bluebells.
Stage 7
At the foot of this footpath, turn right and walk back alongside a high dry-stone wall back to the car park at Stagshaw Gardens. Look out for the large conifers on the top side of the path, it is well worth a short detour to stand underneath them.
Mighty conifers
In the 1850s, specimens such as these had only just been discovered in America. The owners of Wansfell Holme (which is the large house you can see below the woods) imported and planted these more than 150 years ago, when they were fashionable. They are now among the tallest in Cumbria with one grand fir measuring 62yd (57m), which is taller than Nelson's Column. You need to go right up to them to appreciate their full size.
Stage 8
Follow the road back down the hill and turn right to go down the wooded lane.
Stage 9
Recross the road to Waterhead Marine and look for a stile in the low wall to the left, which marks the entrance onto Jenkins Field.
Stage 10
There is about 500yd (450m) of lakeshore access with the best beach at the far end.
Stage 11
Retrace your steps back to Waterhead Marine and follow the road back to Waterhead.
End point
Waterhead pier, grid ref: SY376031
Trail map
Map route for Explore from Waterhead walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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