Ullswater Eastern Shore loop by ferry from Pooley Bridge — Lake District National Park

Hiking trails & Routes

Ullswater Eastern Shore loop by ferry from Pooley Bridge — Lake District National Park

Hard

4.8

(55)

442

hikers

Ullswater Eastern Shore loop by ferry from Pooley Bridge — Lake District National Park

08:14

31.3km

270m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The route includes a crossing by ferry. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 8, 2024

This route includes a ferry crossing

Tips

Includes a ferry crossing

Check ferry timetable.

After 450 m for 13.0 km

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

5.42 km

Howtown Pier – Ullswater Steamers

Highlight • Rest Area

quick stop, little pub in a few minutes walk.

Tip by

13.5 km

Glenridding Pier

Highlight • Lake

quick transfer to aria force boat, very friendly staff.

Tip by

15.0 km

Like Glenridding, the mention of Patterdale makes most hikers think of Helvellyn and the adventures to be had on the third highest mountain in England. It was in Patterdale that Alfred Wainwright's classic Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells were first sold.

Located on the southern tip of Ullswater, it is a great base for many exciting walks. There are plenty of accommodation options, including the Patterdale Youth Hostel, which has lodgings and camping spaces.

Tip by

16.5 km

Artist's Seat memorial at Ullswater

Highlight • Natural Monument

The artist's seat pays tribute to three great artists who have been inspired by the beauty of Ullswater. It was the creation of Patricia Cook, herself an artist living in nearby Patterdale. The plaque on the seat names Ann Macbeth, John Glover and JMW Turner, all of whom have created great works inspired by Lakeland and Ullswater.

Tip by

17.7 km

Silver Point Viewpoint (Ullswater)

Highlight • Lake

Silver Point is a superb viewpoint for Ullswater and the surrounding fells. On the shoreline path between Patterdale and Howtown, it has become a popular photo spot down the years. Norfolk Island is directly west of the promontory; it is the largest on the lake.

Tip by

20.7 km

Lowther Barn Tearoom & Guest Accommodation

Highlight • Cafe

The Lowther Barn tearoom is open seasonally between the 23rd of May and the 3rd of October. During this period, it's open every day from 11:00 - 16:00.
It's a great spot for a snack on the wonderful Ullswater eastern shore walk. they serve cakes, drinks, ice cream and savoury food.
They also have accommodation on the farm if you want to base yourself somewhere remote with amazing walking from the door.

Tip by

22.5 km

Hallinhag Wood

Highlight • Lake

Dipping its toes into Ullswater, Hallinhag Wood is a simply delightful little spot on the lower slopes of Hallin Fell. The path here saves people from having to ascend to Boredale Hause on their way to and from Glenridding, instead skirting around the flanks of the fell.

As Ullswater laps against the pebbly shore, keep an eye out for the Poetry Stones, three large rocks inscribed with lines from 'On Leaving Ullswater' and 'Night in Martindale' by local 1940s poet Kathleen Raine.

Tip by

24.3 km

Howtown Hamlet on Ullswater

Highlight • Trail

The hamlet of Howtown is beautifully located in a small bay on the eastern shore of Lake Ullswater. It's glorious hiking territory, with many trails that explore the surrounding Far Eastern Lakeland Fells. The Howtown Hotel offers rustic accommodation in this fantastic setting.

Howtown can be accessed from Pooley Bridge and Glenridding via the Ullswater Steamers. ullswater-steamers.co.uk

Tip by

24.4 km

Howtown Tearoom

Highlight • Cafe

great little stop before we walked back to pooley bridge

Tip by

30.6 km

Barren Tree on the North Shore of Ullswater

Highlight • Viewpoint

Ullswater is the second largest lake in the Lake District. It formed in a glacial trough where the glacier scraped out the valley bottom and then dammed the end with sediment.
Glenridding is at the southern end and Pooley Bridge at the north. Both are great walking bases with plenty of facilities.
The path that follows the western shore is a really nice walk. You can use the steamers which run the length of the lake and stop half way at Howtown to allow an out and back journey.

Tip by

31.2 km

Granny Dowbekin's Tea Room

Highlight • Cafe

great food and drinks. seating inside and outside too. outside gives a great view of the river

Tip by

31.2 km

Pooley Bridge (2020)

Highlight • Viewpoint

Pooley Bridge got a new bridge on 23rd October 2020! The new bridge is 128ft (39 m) in length and replaces the 18th-century stone bridge that was destroyed during Storm Desmond in December 2015. If you look closely you can see the names of people and businesses engraved along the bridge which helped raise money for the project.

Tip by

31.3 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

13.0 km

6.37 km

5.01 km

3.29 km

1.07 km

1.06 km

1.00 km

516 m

Surfaces

16.7 km

9.33 km

2.12 km

1.57 km

937 m

626 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (230 m)

Lowest point (150 m)

Weather

Thursday 22 October

9°C

3°C

95 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 36.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 14, 2025,Ullswater way

Caught the steamer in Pooley Bridge to Glenridding . Hiked back along yge Ullswater way to Howton . Can be shortened in Howton by catching the steamer back to PB

September 19, 2024,The Ullswater Steamer, Howtown & the eastern shore loop from Glenridding — Lake District National Park

Lovely walk along the lake shore a few gentle climbs and decents and some uneven surfaces.
Did the walk on a beautiful mid September day but a month later with the autumn colours might be even better.