Orrest Head from Windermere town centre. OS map OL7 starting at GR414987 (route maps below).

We parked for free in a lay by on the main road. To get to the parking, turn right from Windermere onto the main A591 and drive 100 mts, passing Windermere hotel on left and you’ll find a 2 hour lay by on the left, opposite The Terrace.

The start of the trail is well signed and is opposite the Nat West Bank. We did the return walk in 1 hr 20 mins, just me and our 2 and 4 year olds. We stopped a couple of times for snacks and took a leisurely stroll, taking time to listen to the birds, collect sticks, discuss whether a T-Rex had a spiky tail and admire the views.

See if you can spot the gruffalo sculpture in the woods, opposite Will Hicks entrance, at the top of the track, here:

Total distance there and back approx 2.5km.

Note: At the beginning of the path, you’ll see a signpost, indicating a footpath to the left. You can go this way, although we have always walked up the track, which is to the right. The signpost is newish, and someone has helpfully added to it!!! See here:

Here is our route map, approx 0.5 miles each way:

Here is the route map of a walk along the signposted footpath approximately 0.65 miles each way:

And you could of course, do a circular route, like this, which is approx 1.25 miles in total:

There are several benches on the easy to navigate path up to the top. It’s hard to get lost on this popular route! And this is the view inspired Wainwright!

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