Troutbeck Church - Orrest Head Circular

John Hobson

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A gentle walk from Troutbeck Church, climbing gently up to a beautiful view of Windermere from the fell that Wainwright first fell in love with, returning along paths and a short stretch of road. This is a gentle introduction to fell-walking with only a moderate ascent. The views all along this walk are very rewarding with Windermere and the Troutbeck Valley shown off to their very best. If you are walking without a dog you can also call in to the magnificent Holehird Gardens along the way.

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - South East

Features

Birds, Cafe, Church, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, Mountains, Public Transport, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife

10/2/2014 - Fiona Dick

A glorious walk, with views practically all the time and nothing too steep. We too went astray at Far Orrest. From WP9 the beaten path seems to go parallel to the wall on the right-hand side before going into the next field. At WP10 the footpath sign has fallen down so is no help at all! Once at Near Orrest Farm, you should keep to the right of the farm, ie not go along the much more obvious vehicle track, which then goes through the farm itself. After WP12 you ignore a gate in the wall on your right, carrying on to the end of the field. WP16 is not really at the very bottom of the hill, but is at a point where another, wider path sweeps round a left-hand bend just off to your left. At WP 20 after the right turn you go through two gates and bend round to the left before turning right to the farm. At WP22, once through the gate you go across the grass (clearly signed) to a gate in the wall, where you join the outward route. At WP25 you can avoid the noise of the main road by taking the bridleway off to the left, a little before the pavement ends. This swings right and then left, dropping down to two bridges over the beck before rising up to Town End. In this way, you then have a very pleasant walk through the strung-out village of Troutbeck, admiring the stone buildings and the cottage gardens, finally reaching the (highly recommended) Village Store (grocer, deli, cafe). Take the next right, where the steep and narrow road brings you back down to the church and your car.

5/2/2014 - Robert Hughes

This is a really excellent way of reaching Orrest Head that avoids the 'tourist' route for the main part. It takes in the delightful Troutbeck valley and views up the Kirkstone Pass. It's quite easy to go astray around the Farm at Far Orrest in both directions so keep an eye on the map and the line of the field walls.