Footsteps of Wordsworth [Ullswater] - National Park Guided Walk

Footsteps of Wordsworth [Ullswater] - National Park Guided Walk

A National Park Volunteer-led guided walk following the footsteps of Dorothy and William Wordsworth alongside Ullswater

By Lake District National Park Authority

Date and time

Sun, 4 Aug 2024 09:15 - 13:15 GMT+1

Location

Aira Force Car Park - Welcome Building

Welcome Building Aira Force Ullswater CA11 0JS United Kingdom

About this event

  • 4 hours

Start point: The Welcome Building, Aira Force, Ullswater, CA11 0JS

Length: 6 km / 3.7 miles with 120m / 394ft of total ascent

Time: 3.5 to 4 hours

Walk Grade: Easy (see grade description below)

Our walk begins with a short bus ride from Aira Force car park to Glenridding. After leaving the bus at Glenridding, we retrace our steps back to Aira Force, following a similar route that William and Dorothy Wordsworth walked almost 200 years ago. The route we follow, along the shoreline of Ullswater, is now part of the Ullswater Way. Upon reaching Aira Force, for those who wish to continue, there is an option to walk along the woodland trails to the dramatic 65-foot Aira Force waterfall, before returning to the starting point of the walk.

Paths are generally good but there are some sections that are stony and others that will be muddy in poor weather. The walk to the waterfall is quite short and easy - but there are steps involved in getting to the waterfall.

Participants will need to dress appropriately for the terrain and weather. Weather permitting, we will be stopping for a short break when we arrive back at Aira Force, so please bring a packed lunch if you wish. There is a Tea Room at Aira Force. This route is not suitable for pushchairs.

Participants will need to purchase their own bus ticket from Aira Force to Glenridding.

Your confirmation email will include full details - please read it carefully.


Organised by

Lake District National Park Authority

Grade descriptions

All our walks are graded as easy and accessible, easy or moderate, to ensure you can choose the walk that’s right for you. But what do these gradings actually mean? The grades are based on a combination of factors including: terrain, accessibility (gates, stiles, path width), gradient, length, duration, total ascent and highest point. Families are welcome on all of our walks, but not all are pushchair friendly so please read the route descriptions.

Grade: Easy and accessible

  • Walk length: 3 – 7 km (1.8 – 4.5 miles)
  • Approximate duration: 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours
  • Easy and accessible walks go at a leisurely pace and follow generally flat or rolling paths with gentle hills. The paths are wide, firm and have no barriers to access such as steep sections, steps or stiles. The walks are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Grade: Easy

  • Walk length: 4 – 10 km (2.5 – 6 miles)
  • Approximate duration: 2.5 – 4 hours
  • Easy walks may include some short ascents and descents. The path surface might be earth, grass or stone and – while generally firm – it may have some loose or uneven sections, or be soft underfoot after rain. You may also encounter steps, gates and narrow sections. Most of our Easy walks are very suitable for families, and some are pushchair friendly (please check route descriptions).

Grade: Moderate

  • Walk length: 6 – 15 km (3.7 – 9 miles)
  • Approximate duration: 3 – 6 hours
  • Moderate walks include hilly ground and require a reasonable level of fitness. You might encounter climbs up some steeper sections. The surfaces may be rough and uneven, with rocky or muddy sections, and you may also find yourself walking up irregular steps, over stiles or through narrow gates and gaps.