The England - Lakes - Eastern Lakes - Mini Venture
The England - Lakes - Eastern Lakes - Mini Venture
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Summary
Summary
A six day (five walks) visit to the Lake District from our Watermillock base near Ullswater. All the walks were in the North-eastern side of the Lake District. The walks were mostly fairly low level, giving good options when there's poor conditions on the high Lakeland tops. Visits iconic spots such as the ancient stone circles on Askham Moor and also the wonderful cascades and waterfall at Aira Force. For those wanting an option to walk higher up, the Mini Venture finishes with a classic walk around the Dodds.
Click on the above map for an interactive map of the routes in this Mini Venture. Use the toggle slider to display the specific routes that you want to see on the map.
The Trails Map (dropdown, top right) is the best free map for displaying footpaths and topography. Expand to full screen (cross arrows, top right) to see route detail. Ordnance Survey maps can be used with a small subscription to Plotaroute.
See the Captain's Log of individual days for details of GPX Downloads, Plotaroute Maps and Map/Directions PDF.
Duration: 5 days
Date: 22-27/02/2026
Overall Length: 46.11 miles
Overall Height Gain: 2371 m
Route: Various - see below
Day 1 - Meldrums And Gowbarrow
A great walk to do when conditions look a bit rough on Lakeland’s highest summits. Starts at Watermillock, heading towards Gowbarrow Fell via the rarely visited Little Meldrum and Great Meldrum. Completes a circuit of Gowbarrow Fell including a climb to its top. Lovely trail walking along Aira Beck to the spectacular Aira Force. The return to Watermillock has wonderful, elevated views over Ullswater.
Day 2 - Blowing A Hooley At Pooley
A good walk to attempt if the fell tops are claggy. A lot of the time, it follows the Ullswater Way between Watermillock and Pooley Bridge. Visits the Iron Age farmstead at Maiden Castle and the Iron Age fort on the top of Dunmallard Hill. Takes a pleasant alternative over Salmond’s Hill on the return trip to Watermillock.
Day 3 - Askham, Pooley Bridge And Some Stone Circles
An excellent lower level walk. Visits ancient stone formations and natural sink holes on Askham Fell. Makes good use of the Ullswater Way trail to provide a well signed route to Pooley Bridge. Wonderful views along the lake and of Barton Fell’s western crags. A good walk to choose if the high Lakeland tops are covered in clag.
Day 4 - Mudbath, Castle And Round Table
A walk of two halves. The first half starts at Askham, visits the impressive faux Lowther Castle and then follows the River Lowther to Eamont Bridge. There, it is possible to take a look at King Arthur’s Round Table (a prehistoric earthwork, before you get too excited) and Mayburgh Henge. The return to Askham follows a route through Yanworth, Stonebridge and Tirrel using paths across fields and along country lanes. I would not recommend attempting the second half of this walk after heavy rain.
Day 5 - A Day In The Dodds
A classic Lakeland yomp ticking a multitude of Wainwrights and Explorer hills including the high trio of Stybarrow Dodd, Watson’s Dodd and Great Dodd. Super views over the Ullswater and Thirlmere valleys. Explores the valley between Clough Head and Great Dodd. Finishes the day with an easy plod along the Old Coach Road.
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