Ullswater, Cumbria – Lakeside Walking Routes and Villages in the Lake District

Shoreline Paths, Steep Fells, and Open Water

Ullswater is a long, narrow lake in the north-eastern Lake District within the Lake District National Park, surrounded by steep fells and wooded slopes between Pooley Bridge, Glenridding, and Patterdale. Walking routes follow the shoreline and valley floor, linking small settlements, piers, and open pasture with steady paths beside the water.

Unlike the busier central lakes, Ullswater feels more linear and dispersed. Paths run close to the lake edge for long stretches, alternating between woodland tracks, grassy meadows, and short road sections through hamlets. The surrounding slopes rise quickly to higher ground, creating a clear contrast between level lakeside walking and steeper fellside routes above.

The main long-distance route here is the Ullswater Way, a circular path that traces the full shoreline around the lake. Sections pass through Gowbarrow Park, along the base of Place Fell, and beside quiet beaches and bays, offering continuous views across the water. Shorter walks also connect to nearby valleys and passes, including routes toward Helvellyn and Kirkstone.

Facilities are spread between the villages rather than concentrated in one centre. Glenridding and Pooley Bridge provide cafés, pubs, shops, and accommodation, while smaller settlements offer more limited options. This makes Ullswater well suited to place-to-place walking between villages rather than a single fixed base.