GUMMERS How, the highest point in the Cartmel area, is a popular and satisfying walk destination for all ages. It offers amazing views of Windermere for a modest amount of effort. Most people go from the nearby car park, walk up the hill and come back the same way: it’s only about a mile and a half walk and hardly needs directions. This walk offers the same reward with an added benefit of being a linear route. For the opposite journey use the Monday to Saturday bus from opposite the Beech Hill Hotel to Fell Foot. Park at the Lake District National Park car park at Beech Hill (map reference SD 388 920, postcode LA23 3LR) and use the 11.20am bus before the walk. Alternatively, park at the free Gummers How car park (map reference SD 390 877) and return on the 1.50pm bus.

Information:

Distance: 4.5 miles, ascent: 1,400 feet

Time: 2.5 hours

Terrain: mainly grassy paths

Map: OS Explorer OL7

1 From the A592 walk up Fell Foot Brow Road, signed Cartmel Fell and Bowland Bridge, for three quarters of a mile. Continue past Gummers How car park to a footpath on the left signed Gummers Howe. If starting from here, a permissive path from the car park up through the woods avoids a short stretch of road, but take care to follow the path to the left, not the larger one from the back of the parking area. Near the gate to Gummers How, a notice tells about the Luing cattle that are kept in the area. The Luing are well suited to the fell, benefitting land management and wildlife. They are also very docile. Follow the well made path up the hill, taking the main path curving round to the right of the summit. After enjoying the views over Windermere continue along a faint path heading northwards, over a small hillock and a tumbled wall. Descend along the left side of a shallow boggy valley and cross over a ladder stile next to a gate into woodland.

2 The path through Blake Holme Plantation follows Burrow Beck downstream to a track. Turn right on the track, cross the beck, then turn left. After passing through a kissing gate the path enters more open countryside of Moor How Park with views over Windermere. Go through a gate or over the adjacent ladder stile and across the field to a gateway opposite. The footpath goes below power lines to a wall then to a gateway in the bottom left corner. Skirt round a rocky outcrop to a wicket gate then descend to Park Cliffe camping and caravan park. Here, the path goes below a playground and crosses a footbridge to a roadside gate.

3 Turn right on the road going uphill. After passing the entrance to Summerhill Holiday Park, turn left next to a white bungalow onto a footpath signed Windermere Road. The woodland path goes through Great Tower Plantation, a Scout Adventure property, past an unusual woodland feature of a water tap. Turn right and walk carefully alongside the A592 for a quarter of a mile to Beech Hill.

Next week: Claife Heights

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.