The “mushroom” at Scout Scar, in between Underbarrow and Kendal in the south east Lake District is a popular, and rewarding easy walk for locals and tourists alike.

You can walk as far as you like, completing long or short circular walks, or you can do a very easy out and back from the car park which is less than 1 mile in distance.  Perfect for little legs, and today our just 3 year old managed the entire walk by herself, without asking to be carried once!

This blog post covers the two walks we’ve done up to the “mushroom”.  The first, short one, starts at the free car park on the Underbarrow Road, at GR489924 on OS map OL7. And this is where the walk begins.  This car park is popular spot for hiking, and can get busy in the summer months.

The first walk is very easy.  Less than half a mile each way.  Simply walk down and cross the road from the car park and follow the signed path up the hill until you see the “mushroom” at the top!  Enjoy the views and when you’re ready, re-trace your footsteps back to the car park.

It’s not too steep, easy to navigate and offers spectacular views on fine days.  Other walks from this car park include Cunswick Scar.

The second walk is a 3.5 mile loop, suggested by Adrian North, one of our facebook page followers (thanks Adrian).  It starts on the layby at GR 503918 on the Brigsteer Road.  It took us just over two hours, and that included a hot chocolate at the top!

Adrian guides us through the route:

Head out of Kendal on Brigsteer Road. After you go over the dual carriageway, the road bends left and there’s a long pull-in on the left. Park here for free. Then cross the road to a gap in the wall by a little white milepost. Follow the obvious path that goes slightly left of straight ahead. You’re crossing the old Kendal racecourse.

You’ll pass the remains of the old Granstand just before you get to a gate that takes you onto the ‘wild’ area – loads of low juniper bushes. Again head straight on/slightly left.  Apparently this are has the greatest concentration of juniper in the world.

After a while you’ll come to another gate in a wall. Stick to the obvious path and you can’t go wrong – pretty much keep in a straight line. You end up cresting the ridge and dropping slightly to the right to a large cairn (OS labels it as ‘Pile of Stones’). Turn right at the edge to head towards the Mushroom, passing the trig point on your way.

When you leave the mushroom, head towards a gate in the wall that runs parallel with the escarpment (GR 486916). Go through the gate and just follow the path (which can be muddy) in a roughly easterly direction. You’ll end up by a farm – follow the track back to the Brigsteer road – your car will be just to your right.  It’s about 3.5 miles all in.

After walking the longer looped route, we headed to The Wheatsheaf at Brigsteer.  It was absolutely delicious food, fairly priced and with a reasonable childrens menu too.  The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming.  Would highly recommend.

For more walks like this, stay up to date and “like” our facebook page Family Walks and Pubs in the Lake District and follow us on Twitter @familywalklakes