Ullswater Way
The Ullswater Way is a 32 km circular route around Ullswater — one of the finest lakes in the Lake District — connecting Pooley Bridge, Howtown, Patterdale and Glenridding on well-maintained lakeshore and fell paths.
This route has no official waymarking. Serious navigation experience is required — do not rely on GPS alone. Carry OS 1:25,000 maps and study the line before you go.
About Ullswater Way
Ullswater is Wordsworth's favourite lake and the setting for his famous daffodils poem — a long, sinuous lake running south-west from the Vale of Eamont to the fells above Patterdale. The Ullswater Way completes a circuit of the whole lake on good paths, combining the accessible eastern shore (accessed by the historic Ullswater Steamer) with the western shore's fell-side paths.
At 32 km with around 1,000 m of ascent, it is a good half-day challenge for fell runners. The Howtown section on the eastern shore is the finest walking and running in the Lake District below 500 m.
The route
Pooley Bridge to Howtown to Patterdale (eastern shore, ~18 km): The finest section — lakeside paths below Hallin Fell. Or take the Steamer from Pooley Bridge to Howtown.
Patterdale to Glenridding to Pooley Bridge (western shore, ~14 km): Through Glenridding village and along the western shore.
Getting there & logistics
Base: Glenridding or Pooley Bridge. Bus from Penrith (train to London, Carlisle and Glasgow).
The Ullswater Steamer runs from Pooley Bridge to Howtown and Glenridding — useful for splitting the circuit.
Best time: Year-round.
Safety
The Ullswater Way is a low-hazard route. Some sections are close to the lake shore. In an emergency: call 999 or 112. Good mobile signal for most of the route.
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