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Pooley Bridge to Howtown Walk

3.7 miles (6 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This walk follows a section of the Ullswater Way from Pooley Bridge to the pier at Howtown. The route includes lakeside sections with some small climbs above the lake. From the high points there's splendid views over the lake to the surrounding fells.
Starting from the parking area in Pooley Bridge the path heads south along the lake to Gale Bay and Thwaitehill Bay. The route then climbs away from the lake towards Auterstone Wood before descending to Sharow Bay. Here you will find Sharrow Bay Country House where you can enjoy afternoon tea and visit the lovely formal gardens.
The walk then climbs again towards Swarthbeck and Bonscal before descending to Howtown and finishing at the pier. Here you can get the steamer back to Pooley Bridge.
To extend the walk follow the Howtown to Glenridding Walk which is considered the finest lakeside trail in the Lake District.
The climb to Hallin Fell also starts from Howtown. The fell commands great views to Martindale Common, High Street, Helvellyn, Blencathra and Ullswater.

Pooley Bridge to Howtown OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Pooley Bridge to Howtown Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

We recommend stopping in Howtown at the Howtown Hotel for some refreshments on your walk. There are some delightful tea rooms situated adjacent to the Hotel, offering a separate facility for walkers and visitors to enjoy a range of delicious home-made scones, cakes, light lunches and coffees throughout the day. There's also a pretty garden area to sit out in on warmer days. You can find the hotel next to the pier with a postcode of CA10 2ND for your sat navs.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the south east of Pooley Bridge you can enjoy a climb to Askham Fell and enjoy great views down to the lake and across to the surrounding fells. Askham Hall with its stunning gardens and interesting history is also nearby.
The Pooley Bridge to Aira Force Walk will take you to the popular National Trust waterfall via Swinburn's Park and Gowbarrow Park.
The climb to Bonscale Pike and Arthur's Pike starts at Howtown. They are both fine Ullswater viewpoints with the photogenic Bonscale Tower a highlight on the walk.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Boats for hire and landing stage (geograph 4644252)

Boats for hire and landing stage

Above Ullswater - geograph.org.uk - 864452

Above Ullswater

Dunmallard Hill, Pooley Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1999

Dunmallard Hill, Pooley Bridge

Bridleway below Auterstone Crag - geograph.org.uk - 904918

Bridleway below Auterstone Crag

Auterstone - geograph.org.uk - 72667

Auterstone

Crossing Swarthbeck Gill - geograph.org.uk - 904915

Crossing Swarthbeck Gill

Ullswater Motor Launch Undergoing Major Refit - geograph.org.uk - 73126

Ullswater Motor Launch Undergoing Major Refit

Howtown pier and ferry (geograph 2944180)

Howtown pier and ferry

GPS Files

GPX File

Pooley Bridge to Howtown.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Pooley Bridge to Howtown.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)