This is a lovely walk and one in which you might keep your boots fairly dry. As you walk beside Derwentwater try to locate the various islands. The nearest to Friar’s Crag is Derwent Isle, lived on by the eccentric Joseph Pocklington. Further along is Lord’s Isle, home of Lord Derwentwater, a Jacobite, who was beheaded on London’s Tower Hill. Beyond lies Rampsholme Island and west of it is St Herbert’s Island home of a 7th Century saint. Friar’s Crag (see walk) is believed to be named after the friars who waited for a boat to take them across to see the hermit. It is also the island visited by Beatrix Potter’s Squirrel Nutkin.

Park in the car park at the side of the Theatre by the Lake, grid reference 266229.

1 Leave the car park and walk, left, along the road, passing the theatre. Go on by the landing stages, picnic tables and seats. Carry on to where the way divides and take the right branch leading to Friar’s Crag. As you continue, look left to see the plaque to Canon Rawnsley, one of the founders of the National Trust. A short way beyond, you reach the memorial to John Ruskin, the 19th Century writer and art critic. Carry on to the end of the crag to enjoy a stunning view of the sparkling lake and its islands, its fringe of woodland and dramatic fells, some snow-topped.

2 Return a few yards to descend steps, now on the right, to join a track below. Bear right to pass through a gate into fine parkland with scattered trees and more splendid views. Follow the track as it winds gracefully around the bay, leading into Ings Wood. Keep bearing steadily right to cross a footbridge and then wind left through quiet leafless trees with an occasional whisper of a song from a robin. Emerge from the woodland and ascend a small slope, right, towards Stable Hills cottage and a signpost directing along the left branch towards the lake.

3 Continue on to pass through a gate into a fine group of tall yews overtopped by oaks. Look right to see a seat with another great view of the lake. Then leave the trees to stroll on beside the lake. On the edge of the water you might spot a large split boulder with an intricately carved pattern on each flat surface. Cross a plank over a small stream at the beginning of Calfclose Bay and walk on beside the wall that edges the Borrowdale Road. Ignore the first wall gap, left, and continue on through a copse to take another gap stile. Cross the road with care and stride up a track, bearing left, to reach a car park. Go on ahead, keeping parallel with the road, back on yourself, to the end of the trees and the road. Here take a good path, right, and follow it for nearly a mile as it climbs steadily through the wintry trees, remaining on it until you pass through a gate/stile.

4 Head on steadily to join a walled track, with pasture and a radio beacon to your left. This way brings you to the side of Springs Wood from where you can peer down into a deep gill through which flows a rushing stream swollen by the recent heavy rain. Turn left to descend the winding track before passing through what was once a farm and is now a holiday complex. Stroll on to the road and walk right, continuing until you reach a signposted track, hedged and fenced, that takes you, left, to Castlehead Wood.

5 Go through the gate, bear a few steps right and then stride left, and then along the left side of the wood. At a split take the right branch to descend to the wall along side the road. Follow this right, until it soon deposits you on the road. Cross with care and walk a few steps left to take another hedged and fenced track, now on your right, over pasture into Cockshot Wood. Walk along its left side to return to the landing stages, and then right to the car park.

Information

Distance: 4.5 miles

Time: 3 hours

Terrain: Lots of level walking; one steepish climb through woodland. Mainly on good tracks.

Map: OS Explorer OL7

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.