The Ullswater Way
A very tough but enjoyable walk. We started in Pooley Bridge walking to Howtown, Glenridding, Aira Force and finally back to Pooley Bridge.
We decided we needed a challenging walk and picked the Ullswater Way as it is circular and do-able in one day. We started out from Pooley Bridge walking clockwise around the lake.
From Pooley Bridge we followed the lake side path up to Waterside Campsite and then out onto the road for a very short stretch.
The Ullswater way is very well signposted so it is diffcult to lose the path at any point. After the section of road the path goes left up to Seat Farm. We had the pleasure at this point to see lambs being born. The path continues along farm land for most of the way to Swarthbeck.
The next milestone is Howtown and again all the signposts are very clear with the Ullswater Way logo displayed on them showing you the way.
The section from Howtown to Patterdale is physically challenging, there are alot of small ascents and descents which sap the energy but the views up and down the lake are lovely. Once you reach Patterdale, follow the path to Glenridding.
We stopped in Glenridding for a short break to eat and rest ready for the next push to Aira Force. This section of the walk is probably the easiest part of the route. The paths are very well marked and looked after and there is very little ascent or decent. Don't be fooled by this part, the hardest bit is yet to come.
From Aira Force we took the path up to Airy Crag and my god this was steep and very challenging. The legs at this point have done 15 tough miles and the ascent up Gowbarrow Fell from this side is very steep. Take your time and go steady and you will make it. The Ullswater Way path doesn't actually take you to the summit of Gowbarrow Fell, but since it was a very short ascent to the top and it is of course a Wainwright we decided to take those few extra steps to the top and 'bag it'.
You now descend Gowbarrow and head towards  Swinburns Park. There has been a lot of felling of the trees here, so on the OS map it looks like a woodland, however in reality there are no trees for most of the path on your right hand side which means you can enjoy the views across the lake.
You'll reach Bennethead in a couple of miles which means you aren't far from the end. From Bennethead you now follow the road for around half a mile. The road is fairly quiet but be careful as there are still cars that use it. There will be another Ullswater Way signpost on your right which now takes you across some more farm land towards Waterfoot Caravan Park. Follow this path to the caravan park and once you reach the main house in the park take a right and follow the path fown to the A592.
Once you reach the road there is a path on the left hand side (across the juntion) that keeps you off the A592 all the way back to Pooley Bridge.