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Rising above the bustling town of Windermere, Orrest Head is one of the Lake District’s most popular viewpoints. This short circular walk starts directly from Windermere Railway Station, climbing through woodland to a spectacular summit overlooking Lake Windermere and the surrounding fells.
The gentle climb on a wide gravel path is ideal for little legs, while the return route is a little rockier underfoot, making the descent feel more adventurous. Along the way, children can spot wooden animal sculptures, explore the Gruffalo carvings and tree den, and enjoy a drink or cake from the coffee van before reaching the top.
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When planning your visit to the National Park, please arrive early or late in the day to avoid crowds if visiting over sunny weekends or school holidays. Please also take all litter home with you, don’t bring BBQs, and park your car in designated parking areas. Also, please use these walks as a guide; access and stiles may change.
PARKING INFORMATION: Please do not rely solely on the postcode for parking directions. In the National Park, a postcode can cover a large area. Postcodes are only provided as guidance. Please either use the Google Maps point or what3words, which are provided on every walk guide.
Orrest Head walk walk map
On all Lake District family walks it’s a good idea to have an Ordnance Survey paper map with you, even if you have your phone on you. For this walk you need the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL7 (English Lakes South-eastern Area). It’s also a good opportunity to show young kids the map features and get them started with map reading.
Need to know
DISTANCE OF WALK: 3.1km / 1.9 miles
TERRAIN: The walk to the summit is via a gravel footpath. This then changes to rocky steep paths through woodland and a field.
PARKING: Parking is available at Windermere Railway Station. Click here for Google Map location. Postcode: LA23 1AH. There are a small number of parking spaces at Windermere Train Station. The cost is £8.80 for daily parking, £4.40 for up to 4 hours. Payment is through RingGo App only.
WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Woodland, spotting animal sculptures, summit views of Windermere.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: Allow 1.5-2 hours.
TOTAL ASCENT: 138 metres
FACILITIES: There are public toilets in the train station ticket office as well as in Booths supermarket at the start/end of the walk. There are no toilets along the route. There is a coffee van on the path up to the summit selling drinks and cake with some outside seating.
The route
START: Windermere Railway Station car park
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SD 4141 9865
Post code: LA23 1AH
what3words: ///seaside.rewriting.braked
Route follows a clockwise direction.
1. Exit the station car park past the station and Booths on your left. Continue 140m to ‘Windermere Information – The Mountain Goat’ on High Street. Cross straight over High Street.
2. Turn left on along the A591 towards Keswick and cross the road at the pelican crossing. Then turn right and double back on yourself around the railings to the large ‘Footpath to Orrest Head’ sign to the left.
3. Walk 40 metres up the hill and take the left at the signpost ‘Orrest Head Viewpoint.’ This shady tree covered path is a fun place to explore as massive tree roots cover rocks, providing a natural playground for little ones.
4. Continue for 260m and then take a right at way marker 5, sign posted ‘Orrest Head’.
DIVERSION: Children (and adults!) may enjoy the wooden animal sculpture trail, which can be found off the main footpath. There is a sign and hole in the wall on the left. Follow the path through the trees and spot the wonderful wooden animal carvings. The exit to the sculpture walk brings you out at the crossroad back on the main footpath. Look for the finger sign pointing the way to Orrest Head summit and continue with your walk up Orrest Head.
5. After 200m you will come to a crossroad. Continue straight ahead. It is then a further 150m to the first of 5 hairpin bends. See if you can spot glimpses of Windermere peaking through the trees on your left.
6. At way marker 7, follow the main track to the right. It is a further 200m to the next hairpin turn and a coffee van called Blacksmiths. Here you can take a seat for a coffee and cake, or play around the Gruffalo sculptures opposite. There is also an impressively large tree trunk carving, bivouac tree den and donkeys in the field. A great stop for a play.
7. Continue to waymarker 9 (keep right at this junction) and on to waymarker 10, where you will find a T-junction and metal bench.
8. Turn right and follow the footpath for 370m until you reach the summit. Enjoy the views!
9. You could follow the same route down, which is easier. However, for a circular Orrest Head walk, take the first grassy track on the right, due East (there is a handy, large metal compass on the summit). The path becomes more defined as you head down. Watch out for slippery rocks if it has been raining. Continue for 170m down the hillside and through the forest until you reach a stone stile.
10. Go over the stile and immediately turn right through the gate into Common Wood. Continue along the tree and fern lined path for 400m until you reach the next gate.
11. The terrain changes again as you enter a field. Keep the wall to your right and follow the path. You will soon see the lake come into view in the distance as well as the town below.
12. Continue downhill for 330m until you reach the next gate. Turn right and continue 50m until you reach the final gate leading on to the road.
13. Cross the road and turn right towards the town centre. In 200m you will arrive back at the road into the train station carpark. Turn left here and your walk is complete.
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