Circular around Gummer's How
| Parking: |
Gummer’s How Forestry Commission Car Park on Newby Bridge to Bowland Bridge Road. Turn right off the A592 about one mile past Newby Bridge heading northwards and head uphill for about half a mile, car park is on the right (grid reference 389875) |
| Map: | Ordnance Survey – Explorer OL 007 (The English Lakes - South Eastern area) |
| Distance: | 2˝ miles (4 km) |
| Grade: | A short walk that involves modest uphill walking |
Turn right out of the car park and head uphill for about fifty metres. The summit of Gummer's How can be seen over the wall to the left, with Windermere providing the backdrop behind it. Go left off the road through the wooden kissing gate on which there is a sign stating "Public Footpath to Gummer's How summit only". Follow the path away from the wall heading towards Gummer's How. Over to the left can be seen the marina at Lakeside, from where ferries run up to Bowness and Ambleside.
The path initially follows the left-hand edge of a small pine plantation. Upon leaving these trees the path affords excellent views over to the left of the Coniston Fells and beyond (from south to north - Walna Scar Pass, Brown Pike, Buck Pike, Dow Crag, Coniston Old Man, Brim Fell, Swirl How, Scafell Pike, Broad Crag and Wetherlam).
The path crosses over a small stream and then starts to climb, gently at first, before increasing its gradient as its course is plotted out by a series of man made steps under cover of the delightfully smelling pines. As the path leaves the cover of the pines, it bends around to the right and pulls in to the side of a wire fence, as it continues its way ever upwards. The panoramas around improve with almost every step climbed.
As the path starts to meander through the rocky outcrops it becomes less distinct. Looking backwards from here the views extend southwards out to the sea, whilst over to the east can be seen Grange-over-Sands, Witherslack Scar and Arnside Knott. As the path briefly plateaus it splits, the left-hand fork (more clearly defined) going around the left of the hill whereas the right-hand fork goes straight on in a line for the summit. Both eventually reach the summit, but carry on straight ahead. A few hundred metres further the triangulation point is reached on the summit.
The column that forms the triangulation point (labelled OS BM S5640) stands alone on a rocky outcrop, and from here must surely be one of the best panoramic views in the Lake District for the amount of walking which has to be done to obtain it. Looking north from here can now be seen: Dollywagon Pike; Fairfield; Great Rigg; Hart Crag; Dove Crag; Scandale Pass; Red Screes and the Kirkstone Pass.
From the summit, take the path heading off in a north-western direction towards Windermere. Here further views of Windermere are revealed as almost its full length is now in view. At a junction of paths, take the left fork heading back southwards in the direction of the car park, this time passing to the west of the summit. This path leads back around the side of the hill and joins back up with the original path taken. From here, follow the path down alongside the wire fence, retrace your route down the man made steps, and follow the path back out through the kissing gate onto the road. Turn right and follow the road downhill for fifty yards before turning back into the car park.