ENJOY picturesque views from Claife (or Thomas West’s) station - built in 1799 and recently restored - then climb above the woods for more distant views of Windermere and the Lakeland Fells, writes JOHN EDMONDSON. Continue to the summit of Latterbarrow or just return along a delightful track passing tarns that were loved by Beatrix Potter.

Park at Ash Landing National Trust pay and display car park (grid reference SD 387 953)

Information

Distance: six miles with 1,500 feet of ascent or nine miles with 1,700 feet of ascent

Time: 2.5 or four hours

Terrain: woodland paths and tracks

Map: OS Explorer OL7

Route

1 From the car park visit the restored Claife Station and experience views looking through the different coloured glasses. Exit through the large arch adjoining the building and walk northwards up a steep path, stepped in places, through the woods. At the top, keep right to walk alongside a wire fence and descend over a rocky outcrop by a wall on the right. Views over Windermere and of Belle Isle appear. Go through a wicket gate and turn left onto the bridleway signed Far Sawrey. After 330 yards turn right onto the bridleway signed Latterbarrow. A view of the Coniston fells appears on the left. Walk past a pond and back into woodland. Step carefully over a sloping rock slab to a clearing with a viewpoint to the right from which the steamboat museum site is visible. Turn left onto the footpath signed Hawkshead and ascend the rocky hilltop of High Pate Crag for more splendid views.

2 Go around the crag along a waymarked path across a footbridge signed Hawkshead and Latterbarrow. Descend through the woods and turn left onto a rutted track then right on the main track signed Hawkshead. After 100 yards turn left onto the footpath signed Hawkshead with views over the transmitting station. Follow the path over a boardwalk and through woodlands, taking care stepping over exposed roots and rocks, especially if wet. The path goes alongside a deer fence on the right and meets a large track on a bend. At this point decide whether to extend the walk by three miles to visit the popular viewpoint of Latterbarrow. For the shorter walk turn left.

3 For the excursion to Latterbarrow go straight ahead along the track going downhill then sweeping right and ascending to a crossing of paths. Turn left onto the bridleway signed Hawkshead. After 250 yards, at the top of a slope, turn right down a waymarked narrow path then up some steep steps. Stay on the waymarked path (avoiding a right turn) and immediately after crossing a stile turn right and climb to the summit of Latterbarrow. After enjoying the views retrace your steps, turning right on the large track signed Far Sawrey; 100 yards before the bend where the track was met previously turn right and at the top of the slope merge with the shorter route.

4 Follow the track past Wise Een Tarn and Moss Eccles Tarn. Where the track divides, take the left-hand gate to cross Wilfin Beck via a ford or footbridge to meet the road at Far Sawrey. Turn left, pass the Cuckoo Brow Inn then turn left opposite Braithwaite Hall onto the path signed Ferry to Bowness. On meeting the road again turn left and use the off-road footpath on the right, then crossing to the left, and return to Ash Landing car park.

Next week: Spark Bridge to Ulverston

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.