Hawkshead to Wray Castle Walk

As can be expected with a route that features a popular tourist attraction, the Hawkshead to Wray Castle Walk sees its fair share of visitors. If you don’t want to deal with the crowds, make sure to arrive early enough to secure parking and get a head start. Trails along this route are very well-maintained, meaning you can likely get away with trail runners, so long as they are comfortable enough for a near 8.5mi journey.

Setting out from the village of Hawkshead, follow the route northeast as it cuts across the picturesque countryside and passes by the calm waters of Blelham Tarn. Shortly after this, you will arrive at the grounds of Wray Castle situated near the shores of Windermere. Explore the area and take in the views of this grand building dating back to the 19th Century before following the trail to the southeast. Here, you will climb uphill through a mixture of open land and forest that skirts around the summit of Latterbarrow, providing some beautiful views of the surrounding fells. Continue west along the trail as it descends the hillside on the return to Hawkshead, where you can pop in and out of the shops or visit the pub for a celebratory drink.