Orrest Head [Windermere] - National Park Guided Walk

Orrest Head [Windermere] - National Park Guided Walk

A short National Park Volunteer-led guided walk using accessible paths to the summit of Orrest Head with spectacular views over Windermere.

By Lake District National Park Authority

Date and time

Thu, 5 Sep 2024 10:00 - 12:00 GMT+1

Location

Windermere Railway Station

Station Precinct Windermere LA23 1AH United Kingdom

About this event

  • 2 hours

Start point: Windermere railway station

Length: 3.5km (2.2 miles) with 120m (394ft) of ascent

Time: 2 hours (approx.)

Walk grade: Easy and accessible (see grade description below)

An easy and accessible walk starting from Windermere railway station and following in the footsteps of Alfred Wainwright who first climbed Orrest Head in 1930. He was so enchanted by the view it began his lifelong love of the Lakeland fells. The route is occasionally challenging with some steep sections through Elleray Wood leading to the summit of Orrest Head (238m), one of Wainwright's Outlying Fells. Here visitors are rewarded with spectacular 360º views over Windermere and the central fells.

This is a linear walk along well-made paths, which are suitable for people with limited mobility including people with powered-wheelchairs and families with pushchairs.

Participants will need to dress appropriately for the terrain and weather. Weather permitting, we will be stopping for a short break at the summit so please bring refreshments if you wish.

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

Tags

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.