You will find leaflets and books on the area in the desk drawer in the sitting room.
Within the immediate area of Coogarth, just a few things you are able to enjoy are;-
Coogarth is a wonderful starting-point for walks, long and short. Many can be done straight from the front door; others will need a short drive or a ride on the steamer.Some ideas are listed below. These are not meant to be detailed route descriptions, and you will need to take a map. The best walking map for this area is the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 for the North Eastern Lakes. There are some guidebooks in the cottage, and you can also find out more about some of the walks on the websites we have listed under Local Information. Always remember that the weather can be much colder on the tops than it is the valley, and that it can change very quickly!
This is a lovely walk in either direction. Anti-clockwise probably gives the best views. From the top of the Hause (the road over to Martindale from Howtown), take the path slanting down on the left, and continue on a good path round the lakeside to Sandwick.
This walk round the shore of Ullswater is fairly flat and also has the most beautiful views. It is suitable for walking at a leisurely pace and can be timed to take the steamer back from Glenridding to Howtown. (Or you can make a longer walk by coming back over Boredale Hause ).
There is a good path along the fellside, just above the fields and well away from the road. There are lovely views of the lake, particularly coming back towards Howtown. You can get a steamer to Pooley Bridge and walk back.
The easiest way up starts from St Peter’s church at the top of the Hause. The views from the summit are spectacular and on a clear day the Pennines can be seen in the distance.
The path starts from near St Peter’s church (on the opposite side of the road to Hallin). Good views into Martindale
This is the fell seen from the sitting-room window. The best way up from Coogarth is along the skyline ridge which descends gradually to the right as you look at it from the cottage. Come back the same way, or continue along the ridge for a longer walk.
An attractive grassy path starts just before the Old Church (a few minutes walk along the road up Martindale from the cottage). Take the left-hand path up the fellside, not the lower one which goes along the valley. Follow this to an old ruin at the top of Fusedale, and turn left down Fusedale towards Howtown. Just before you get to Howtown, turn left onto a path which takes you back to the top of the House.
Boredale Hause is at the end of the adjoining valley, Boredale. The descent brings you to Patterdale and you can come back by steamer from Glenridding.
Angle Tarn has lovely views, and is good for picnics and swimming. From Dale Head farm at the head of Martindale, there are two ways up. One goes along the foot of Bannerdale before a steepish climb up to the tarn. The other slants rightwards up the fellside soon after leaving Dale Head, then follows the ridge before descending gradually to the tarn.
This is the “nose-shaped” mountain near the end of the valley. It used to be closed to walkers because of the deer, but access is now allowed. It is steep if you go straight up the front, but quite easy to slant up on either side. There are good chances of seeing large herds of red deer.
This is a delightful and varied mountain, with very good views. The best way up from Coogarth starts from Sandwick. One path goes steeply up Sleet Fell. The other slants up leftwards from the lakeside path, about half a mile after Sandwick.
The best way onto the range from Coogarth is by the path near the Old Church (see above). Once on top, the classic walk from Coogarth is round the end of the valley. From Rampsgill Head, descend to Angle Tarn (perhaps taking in Rest Dodd); then come back over Beda. Another alternative is to turn northwards to Loadpot Hill, and then descend gradually towards Pooley Bridge until you meet the path that brings you back to Howtown. If you have a driver who can drop you off by car, there are some excellent walks over the High Street range back to Coogarth. Two examples:
Glenridding and Patterdale are ideal starting points for Helvellyn, Striding Edge, St Sunday Crag and Fairfield. At some times of year, the steamer schedule will leave enough time to make the return trip by steamer. There are also very good shorter walks on Gowbarrow (the mountain opposite Sandwick, on the other side of Ullswater – park near Aira Force), and on Watermillock Common (next to Gowbarrow on the other side of the road - park at Dockray). Both have superb views of the lake.