MARK Claife Heights
Claife Heights is one of the best low-level walks near Windermere — a quiet woodland ridge dotted with tarns, viewpoints, and gentle trails. It's perfect for families, beginners, and anyone wanting a peaceful half-day walk away from the busy lakeshore. The route starts from the Windermere Ferry and explores the quieter western side of the lake.
The full route breakdown — stats, the line in stages, what it really feels like, and the practical detail you need to plan the day.
At a Glance
- Grade: Easy–moderate walk
- Terrain: Woodland trails, gentle climbs, occasional rocky sections
The Route
🏔️ Route Character
Claife Heights is a quiet, atmospheric woodland walk — rolling terrain, shaded paths, small tarns, and occasional viewpoints over Windermere. It's ideal for families, casual walkers, low-level days, and bad-weather days.
A genuine 'hidden gem' for visitors based in Windermere or Bowness, on the quieter western side of the lake.
🧰 Route Breakdown
- 1. Ferry House → Claife Viewing Station — Start at Ferry House after crossing from Bowness and follow the short path to the Claife Viewing Station — a restored 18th-century Gothic viewpoint with coloured glass panels. A gentle woodland warm-up.
- 2. Viewing Station → Woodland Trails — Continue west into the woodland as the path rises gently onto the lower slopes — smooth trails, occasional rocky patches, and quiet, peaceful gradients ideal for families.
- 3. Woodland Trails → High Blind How — The main viewpoint on Claife Heights — a short, steeper pull with rocky steps to an open summit clearing. Superb views over Windermere, Bowness and Belle Isle, Wansfell Pike, and Red Screes.
- 4. High Blind How → Tarns Loop — Descend gently into the interior of Claife Heights — small woodland tarns, quiet shaded paths, rolling terrain, and occasional wildlife. Adds variety and a full half-day feel.
- 5. Return to Ferry House — Follow the woodland trails back toward the west shore and finish at Ferry House for the return boat to Bowness.
Practical
⚠️ Difficulty & Hazards
- Steep pull: Short steeper section to High Blind How.
- Terrain: Uneven rocky patches; muddy after rain.
- Navigation: Many intersecting woodland paths — can be confusing.
- Signal: Limited phone signal in places.
🌠️ Who This Route Suits
- Families
- Beginners
- Casual walkers
- Windermere visitors
- Anyone wanting a quiet, scenic half-day walk
- Bad-weather fallback option
Not ideal for
- People wanting a big fell day — choose Wansfell or Loughrigg
- Very wet days — woodland paths can be muddy
📱 Parking & Logistics
- Parking: Bowness car parks (walk or ferry across); limited parking at Ferry House; small lay-bys at Ash Landing.
- Facilities: Toilets at Ferry House; cafés and pubs in Bowness; seasonal café at the Viewing Station.
- Transport: Windermere Ferry between Bowness and Ferry House; 555 bus to Bowness; seasonal boats to Wray Castle.
🧰 GPX & Map Notes
On OS Explorer OL7. A GPX helps — the woodland paths on Claife Heights intersect and can be confusing.
⭐ MX Summary: Claife Heights is one of the best low-level walks near Windermere — quiet woodland trails, gentle climbs, tarns, and superb views from High Blind How. A perfect half-day outing.