Claife Heights lies between Windermere and Esthwaite Water. The walk takes you through naturally wooded upland and a large forested area with two distinct paths traversing clearfell. This can be tiresome but as you walk remember that it is working forest and the area might be replanted with deciduous trees. The loveliest section is saved to the last where several tarns, entrancing in the sunlight, delight the eye.

Park at Firbank Old School, Far Sawrey, grid reference 379954, where a voluntary contribution is asked for the upkeep of the building.

1 Cross the road and take the signed track to the right of Cuckoo Brow Inn (previously Sawrey Hotel). Climb the hedged way to go through the gate. At the Y-junction walk the right branch and follow the track as it continues through open sheep pastures, where lambs now frolic. On reaching a cross of tracks take the left turn to carry on up a walled way. Go past a fenced walled plantation to the left with more sheep pastures to the right. The next gate gives entrance to the forest with a fine wall on the right.

2 Stroll on following the track as it climbs and becomes rougher and sometimes braided. At the high point look for a gap in the wall on your right and dawdle along the narrow path beyond to some comfortable boulders. Pause here to enjoy the superb view of Windermere and its toy-like boats traversing the water far below. This is the place for your first break.

3 Return to the main path and stroll on through the trees to reach a forest road, with a man-made stretch of water on the other side. Turn right and a short way along take the signposted narrow path striking off left, with fenced plantations on either side. This is muddy and wet in places but walking between the trees, serenaded by song birds, makes it pleasant. Then the way climbs a low rocky section and reaches a grassy mound with a convenient boulder. Pause here for a fine view, down through the greening larches, to another view of the lake.

4 At this point the path becomes wider and bends left. It can be muddy at first but there is always a way around the worst bits. As the way descends it becomes much improved and from it you have a spectacular view of the Langdale Pikes and other Lakeland fells. The path ends at a wide reinforced area, on your right, where forestry wagons have turned. Here follow two prominent waymarks directing you to the start of a narrow rough path through extensive clear fell. It descends steadily but is stony and has some treacherous tree roots across. Stand still to enjoy the view of more of the Lakeland fells then walk on to reach another forest road. Turn left and climb steadily, passing a small tarn, Highs Moss, on the left. Continue on the easy-to-walk way to leave the woodland by a gate. Ahead lie wide-open pastures, very green, with scattered bushes over the slopes.

5 Follow the track downhill, passing, on your left a pool of water, held back by a small dam – later in the year it becomes covered with water lilies. To your right lies beautiful Wise Een tarn. Cut across the turf to a large boulder, for your last break, to enjoy the lovely view. Return to the track and carry on. Descend through more sheep pastures to arrive above Moss Eccles Tarn another of Lakeland’s pleasing tarns and a great favourite of Beatrix Potter and her husband. Continue beside the pretty pool and then carry on. Ignore an unmarked track to the left and, a short way beyond, you reach a large open area. Here take, ahead, the left of two, for Far Sawrey, and follow the track, with Cuckoo Brow Wood away to your left.

6 After a stony section the path is a delight as it comes to a little bridge, with kingcups flowering below. Cross and carry on to join a narrow metalled road, lined with spring flowers. Pass a workshop and then the old vicarage. Continue on down to join the road through the Sawreys. Turn left to pass the village shop tucked away on the right, then the Inn and finally the parking area in front of the old school.

Information

Distance: 5 miles/8km.

Time: 3 hours.

Terrain: Mainly good tracks. Some rough after forestry work. Watch out for treacherous roots across paths, just waiting to trip you up.

Map: OS Explorer 7 OL, English Lakes, south-eastern area. Do take this with you.

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.