Outgate – Wray Castle – Latterbarrow -Hawshead circular walk.
A seven mile circular walk taking in great views and woodlands west of Windermere.
Take the path next the Outgate Arms. You soon pass though a gate. The path then veers right before it straightens and then enters open fields.
The path forks, the right side leads to Hawshead, follow the left fork heading towards Ambleside and Wray Castle.
The path climbs gently. After about half a mile your path junctions with another.
You are now at High Tock How. Turn left and follow the path as it undulates and heads towards the picturesque Blelham Tarn.
The path passes to the left of the tarn and dips into pretty woodland.
Just after leaving the tarn behind you the path reaches a quiet road. Turn right. After a minute or so there’s a smaller road to the left. Take this following the sign post to Wray Castle and campsite.
The campsite is half a mile or so further up this road. You don’t reach that far as you need to follow the path to the right that climbs quite sharply before leading to Wray Castle itself.
Wray Castle isn’t really a castle. It’s a Victorian neo-gothic building. It was built in 1840 by James Dawson, a retired Liverpudian surgeon. As a teenager, Beatrix Potter famously stayed there on holiday in 1882. It was given to the National Trust in 1929 along with 64 surrounding acres.
Today, the castle and its grounds are open to the public. There’s a café and paths through the ground to the west shore of Windermere.
It’s a pretty spot to stop, enjoy and relax as you watch the boats cross the lake. Wansfell and Ambleside can be clearly seen over the other side of the water.
You now follow the lakeside path southwards for five minutes. You walk past a small promontory called Epley Point and into High Wray Bray.
Here, take the second path to the right, walking away from the lake in the direction of Wray village.
The path skirts an open field as it climbs towards the small village.
When the path ends, turn left and walk through the village. Just as you are about to leave the village take path to you left. This climbs and then reached as forested area.
Here you leave the main path and take the option to your right. You walk through the forest accompanying a small stream. Soon the path climbs more steeply as you leave the woodland behind you. Continue climbing. The top of Latterbarrow is not far.
The summit itself is not high. It’s only 245 metres (803 feet) yet it offers marvellous views of Windermere (to the east) and central fells to the west and north.
It’s a moment to saviour.
When you are ready to leave take the westward path (the one to the right), rather than the one heading south (to the left).
The path drops surprisingly quickly. You soon meet a quiet road. Turn left.
After 10 minutes you reach the small hamlet of Colthouse. You keep to the road which slaloms right then left.
Then take the road to the right. Hawkeshead is now in view as you cross a bridge over Black Beck.
Hawkeshead offers plenty of refreshment options. Its centre is pedestrianised so, despite a high number of visitors, it has a quiet and relaxed feel to it.
When you are ready to leave, take the footpath (signed post to Amberside) just by the Red Lion Arms pub.
This crosses the main road and back over the Black Beck. Soon the path reaches Scar House Lane. Turn left.
After 10 minutes the path meets a quiet road called Laothwaite Lane. Turn right and follow this road as it climbs before reaching a farm buildings.
The path to Outgate is signed (to the left) and cuts through woodland before dipping down to meet the path you started your walk on.
Soon you will find yourself outside the Outgate Arms where you began.