Easy Winter Walks in the South Lakes

In the South Lakes and around the Morecambe Bay Coast we are blessed with low fells from which to gaze to the West over Morecambe Bay to Wales, Ireland, Isle of Man, to the North over the Lakes & Fells of the Lake District, to the East and South over the Pennines. All this for very little effort and time - which is important in winter! Here are some of my favourite local walks - the routes and maps are on the table in the hall at 1 Woodheads.

1. Hampsfell, Grange-over-Sands, is a great place to start because you have a 360 degree view from the Hospice, and not only that but each fell is marked out so that you know what you are looking at!

There are various paths around Hampsfell and you might want to continue over into Cartmel for some refreshment.

2. Humphrey Head, near Grange-over-Sands, is a lovely walk that takes you out onto a coastal peninsular from which you can look back down the bay towards the Pennines, or across to Arnside, Silverdale & Morecambe. Parking is limited.

3. Gummers Howe - at the southern foot of Lake Windermere. From the summit you can see the full length of Windermere and the Fells around. You can extend the walk or call in at the nearby Masons Arms at Strawberry Bank, or the Swan Hotel at Newby Bridge, or Yew Tree Barn, Low Newton on your way home.

4. Around Rydal Water. Park in White Moss car park just north of Ambleside. This walk takes you along the old coffin route from Rydal Mount (one of Wordsworth's homes) to Grasmere and back along the side of Grasmere and Rydal Water.

5. Arnside Knott. Just across the bay is the village of Arnside - in fact it's a 5 minute train journey from Grange-over-Sands. Arnside & Silverdale is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can walk around the bay - check the tide is out first! - and then along a coastal cliff path to the caravan park at Far Arnside, and back over the Knott to the village. If you time it right you can pick up a bag of fish and chips from the best chip shop in the area - and eat them on the beach. Arnside is also famous for its tidal bores racing in at over a foot high - if you only go over to see that it's worth it - maybe sitting inside at the Albion pub.

6. Cumbria Coastal Way - Cark in Cartmel to Haverthwaite. Quite a long walk and with public transport needs careful planning. Catch the train to Cark and turn right out of the station. After reaching the rear entrance to Holker Hall you climb quite steeply through woodland to emerge on rugged moorland from where you have splendid views over the estuary and the Leven Viaduct. Then with several ascents and descents you cross farmland and spot the red deer at Speel Bank Farm. Descend past Bigland Tarn through some woods and onto the road (B5278) that leads you to the bridge over the River Leven just before Haverthwaite. You can then have some refreshments at Haverthwaite steam railway station Tea Room. Catch an X6 bus back to Grange station.

7. High Dam - There is an option to do a shorter walk (1 hr) or the longer one (3 hrs). If you wish to do the longer one you will start at the Swan Hotel at Newby Bridge and walk through woods, fields, and Linthwaite village to get to High Dam. From here it is a pleasant climb through woodland around two dams and back home the same way.

8. Whitbarrow Scar - This is quite an exposed walk so save it for a sunny day. You climb up the scar from Witherslack, walk along the ridge which offers fantastic panoramic views over Morecambe Bay and the Lake District, then walk back through the woods at the base of the cliff. Takes about 3 hrs.

9. Levens Park - A lovely gentle stroll through the Hall's deer park at Levens. It can get quite muddy in places. Takes about an hour and a half. Refreshments can be had nearby at the Strickland Arms. Levens Park is part of a much earlier medieval deer park. It was landscaped by Beaumont three hundred years ago and marks the beginning of the transition toward the natural landscaping style that dominated English gardening for the next century. The original carriage drive approach to the Hall would have been through the Park, and here you can see a mile long avenue of ancient oaks. Black Fallow Deer and rare breed Bagot Goats roam the park.

10. Grange-over-Sands Promenade - Sometimes you just want a little bit of fresh air after a hearty breakfast. The mile long sea front promenade at Grange is the perfect destination. Walk back through the Ornamental Gardens and perhaps catch a coffee at the Hazlemere Cafe. Do a bit of food shopping at Higginsons butchers and Fletchers greengrocers. Combine that with a pull back up Grange Fell Road and you will have burnt off some calories in time for tea.