Windermere Ferry to west side – easy bridleway along west shore to near Wray Castle – High Wray – Colthouse / Hawkshead – Near and Far Sawrey – Ferry
10 miles (16 km) 870' climb (265 m)
Map
To view elevation details please use this link and select "Elevation Graph" from the top left hand side corner of the map.
http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=653886
Description
After leaving the ferry on the west side the route in 400 yards/m goes right off the main road (National Cycle Network 6 sign) alongside the lakeshore for the pleasant easy 4 mile bridleway up to Wray Church.
After leaving the open shore and tarmac, the track becomes a wide trail through woods. This is a family -friendly track, although there is one small climb. Pass through Red Nab car park (NCN 6 signs) and continue along the lakeshore to a small climb to the public road by Wray Church. Wray Castle (NT) is nearby.
From the bridleway end go left, first downhill, then up a steady climb to High Wray and continue on this gently dropping road to Colthouse.
After the hamlet a fork is reached, going right for nearby Hawkshead, or left to quickly join the B5285 road through the Sawreys and back to the ferry.
A slightly longer return from Colthouse to the ferry is to take the road towards Hawkshead and then simply continue on the west side of Esthwaite Water, past the fish farm, then going left (signed for the ferry) into Near Sawrey and then right for the ferry.
