It has a great range of habitats from craggy fell top to wet woodlands and mosses, sometimes within metres of each other. It’s dotted with pretty little tarns, in Spring it is Bluebell heaven across all the woodlands and the open fell top. That diversity of environments means it’s packed with wildflowers and wildlife, particularly in late Spring and early Summer. You get both minute detail, tiny sedums and almost bonsai myrtles, the streams run with marsh marigolds, watercress and water mint – yet unexpected vistas of mountain ranges reveal themselves from viewpoints and gaps in the woodland.

Our downloadable itinerary online describes some of the routes, but you can pick and mix as the paths intersect in many places. There are enough routes, through very different landscapes, to keep you interested for a few walks over several days.

The shortest walk takes you to the viewing point at Ghyll Head itself, with a handy stone seat from which to take in the huge view of the lake, and mountain ranges from Coniston Old man, the Langdales, and the central ranges at the North end of the lake. There is the choice to add in more woodland and the pretty tarn of Ghyll Head with a mix of country lane and fell top. Explore some of the rarer wet woodlands to the east, both with Gyhll Head and Lower Ludderburn Moss, and back via the lane through old deciduous woods.

For the wettest of weather we’ve plotted a long loop of the greater part of the fell via the main road, (great for spotting Arts and Crafts houses), along past Podnet Tarn, (beutiful in Spring as it’s fringed with the exotic looking Bog Bean and covered in white Water Lilies). It’s mainly country lane and compacted gravel track all the way, no streams to cross, ending with more views of the lake and mountains as you pass Rosthwaite Farm and head back to Storrs, (the anti clockwise direction). It’s also a stunningly beautiful walk all year round, don’t save it for a rainy day.

You’ll need waterproof footwear as you’ll go through at least one stream, if not three for the Ghyll Head viewpoint. We recommend the Ordnance Survey app, as you can download routes and not lose them if phone signals dip. You can also switch between viewing options – the aerial photo option is handy if you’re just a bit confused, as it shows you the real-life setting.

Head over to the Walking page for the itinerary.

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