Visiting Ings
Walks Around Ings
Walks to the South West
The 'Gated Road' starts just 50 metres to the west of the Watermill Inn. This road winds its way gently uphill under the Windermere railway line. 400 metres or so beyond the railway is the first of several right turns on marked footpaths:
1. Across fields to Whasdike farm.
2. A further 400m through Whasdike Wood to the farm.
3. A further 100m take footpath to Yews.
4. A further 400m take footpath to Borwick Fold.
Don't forget to look back and enjoy the glorious views to the North and West. If you stay on the Gated Road you will reach a cattle grid where you can turn left to Staveley or right to Borwick Fold and beyond. All the four footpaths mentioned above join this road so can be incorporated into a circular walk which will take you about 2 hours.
From the cattle grid, a good all round view of the area can easily be reached: 'Bob's Nob' (249m). Turn left immediately before the cattle grid and follow the obvious path which climbs to the right and round the back of the hill. The top affords splendid views. See if you can spot the Hoad Monument in Ulverston. The descent may be achieved by reversing the ascent. Alternatively you may wander back down to the road which is clearly visible by descending in a general NW direction.
5. From Whasdike Farm you can walk on to School Knott Tarn and School Knott (232m) which has wonderful views over Lake Windermere and the surrounding hills. You might need 3 hours from Ings to School Knott and back.
6. From Borwick Fold you can walk on to join the Dales Way at Hag End Farm, left to Yorkshire, or right to Bowness. If you head West toward Bowness, shortly after you leave Hag End, you may strike up right to Grandsire (249m), one of Wainwright's outlying fells. A return to Ings can be achieved by descending from Grandsire to School Knott Tarn and back past Whasdike. You might also return to the Dales Way and walk on to Bowness. The journey back is easily accomplished on the bus!
Walks to the North
The starting point for all these walks is the 'other side' of the main road (A591) from the Watermill Inn. There are three main choices:
1. Moor Howe Road by Hill Farm. After about 1km, turn right up to High House. At High House, there is a footpath on the right which takes you to Grassgarth. Or, you can go straight ahead. After about 400m you can turn left on a footpath to High Borrans, or you can continue to Kentmere. If you were to stay on the Moor Howe Road, after about 3km from Ings, you would eventually come to a turn on the right to Dubbs Reservoir. There is parking here for a small number of cars. It is the starting place for a delightful walk over to the Troutbeck valley.
2. Grassgarth Lane. Several footpaths are accessed from the lane. After about 600m turn right up ‘Rickety Lane’ to reach Hugill Hall, the Heights and Low House. Or at Grassgarth Farm, turn right, back to the top of ‘Rickety Lane’, or left through fields to High House. Walking straight on along the main lane, now unpaved, brings two further choices after about 1km. A. Going straight ahead takes you to Kentmere, joining the path from High House. Or you can turn right. This brings you back to the Heights, unless you turn left after about 500m at B which takes you down to Browfoot Lane and the Kentmere Road back into Staveley. If you have a dog, both options from B will allow you to complete a sheep-free circular lane walk from 2.
3. Vicarage Lane is a strenuous ascent so is perhaps best used for descent from Low House Farm, completing a circular walk from Grassgarth Lane.
4. Reston Scar (255m) is a popular walk and affords fine views. The main paths to the top emanate from near Staveley so you will have to walk back along the A591. After Reston Cottages, you will see a large gate in a deer fence. The intrepid can take the direct ascent through thorny scrub. An easier way takes you to the right, the path rising more gently through a copse, eventually joining the main route up the Scar from Staveley.
