Explore the tranquil shores of Bassenthwaite Lake with this walk between Scarness Bay and Bowness Bay. This hidden Cumbrian treasure with flat, easy-access paths, stunning views of Skiddaw, and plenty of spots to swim in summer, is the perfect low-level adventure for families seeking a quiet slice of the Lake District.

Walk information

• Distance: ~3km
• Duration: 1h
• Ascent: +23m
• Level: Easy
• Car Park: Space to park along the road just before Bassenthwaite Lakeside Lodges, Bassenthwaite, Keswick CA12 4QZ. Max 5 cars, can be busy during summer months.
• Child friendly: Not pushchair friendly, path is easy to walk for toddlers.
• Dog friendly: Yes, however some fields might have sheep in. Dog will need to be on a lead when crossing fields with livestock.

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Our adventure

On a crisp Sunday morning in mid-March, we set out to explore a new corner of Bassenthwaite Lake. While we have been walking several times through Whinlatter forest or around Sale Fell summit, we realised we had never truly explored the water’s edge of the only true lake in the National Park.

Bassenthwaite lake is a bit of an enigma; unlike its neighbours, it lacks a continuous circular perimeter path and is tucked behind patches of private land. Eager to find a place to explore the shore of this lake, I pored over my OS paper map until a route revealed itself: a circular path linking Scarness and Bowness Bay. The final piece of the puzzle was to find where to park. This was solved by one of my colleagues who pointed us toward a quiet lay-by just before the Bassenthwaite Lakeside Lodges site entrance.

Arriving just before 10 am, we were the only car in sight. The weather was a classic Cumbrian contradiction: brilliant, pale sunshine paired with a biting, rhythmic wind and we were fortunate not to have rain. We wrapped ourselves in thick layers and set off, following the footpath beside the lodges site down toward the water. As we turned left onto the shoreline, a wave of nostalgia hit us. We remembered that we had actually first discovered the pebble beach at Scarness Bay during our first Cumbrian summer in 2018 for a wild swim, but we hadn’t ventured further or returned since. We were delighted to find the path transformed; new timber walkways now snake through the marshy sections. These elevated paths have a wonderful, almost “mangrove” feel to them. They are protected from the rising lake levels and perfect for a toddler like Marcus to stomp along safely.

Emerging from the walkways, the trail opened into fields that hugged the shore. From here, the views were spectacular: the dark, dense green of Whinlatter Forest framed one side of the lake, while the snow-dusted crown of Skiddaw loomed majestically behind Dodd summit. The contrast of the white peaks against the blue spring sky felt like the Lake District at its very best.

The morning was wonderfully still. We saw only one lone sailing boat and a handful of other walkers. We paused frequently to let Marcus and Skye play their favourite game: one would hurl a floating toy into the clear, chilly water, and the other would plunge in to retrieve it. Eventually reaching Bowness Bay, where the shoreline path tapers off, we turned inland. We cut through a field of swaying wild grass to reach the quiet road for the final kilometre back to the car.

Although I was hoping to do a longer walk by walking across the fields instead of along the road, Marcus’s little legs were tiring, so we opted for the shorter return. Perhaps we will be able to do the longer walk another day. This path is a winter gem, though it would be equally magical for a sunset stroll in the summer. It offers a brilliant little adventure for toddlers, dog owners, and wild swimmers alike. Just a small note for fellow explorers: keep an eye out for blue-green algae warnings during the warmer months, a common caution across many of our beautiful bodies of water.

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Extend Your Adventure: Make a Holiday of It

For those looking to extend their stay and plan a longer adventure in this area of the Lake District National Park, I’ve shared our favourite family and dog-friendly restaurants and spots that are well worth a visit.

Where to eat:

• Bassenthwaite Lake Station: Step back in time for a nostalgic afternoon tea served aboard an authentic 1930s steam train carriage.
• Wheatsheaf Inn, Embleton: Escape the crowds for high-end gastro-dining in one of the Lake District’s most tranquil, hidden corners. This is one of our favourite restaurants in the area.
• Lake Road Brunch, Keswick: Fuel your morning with vibrant, modern brunch classics right in the heart of town.
• Lingholm Kitchen, Portinscale: Dine in the stunning walled garden that inspired Beatrix Potter, just steps from the shores of Derwentwater. Their home bread is absolutely delicious.

What to visit:

• Mirehouse Estate: Wander through historic “Poetry Walks” and lush gardens that lead from a 17th-century manor straight to the tranquil lakeshore. Try to go around June time when the rhododendron trees are in full bloom. I have stunning photos of them.
• Keswick Pencil Museum: Discover the quirky history of the humble pencil, home to one of the world’s largest colour collections and a secret WWII spy pencil.
• The Art Gallery, Thornthwaite: Browse a vibrant collection of local Cumbrian art in a serene woodland gallery nestled on the edge of Whinlatter Forest.
• The Lakes Distillery: Go behind the scenes of a world-class distillery to sample award-winning spirits in a beautifully restored Victorian farmstead. (dog restrictions apply)

Where to walk:

• Keswick old railway line: Follow the historic tracks of the old railway line on an easy, all-access path that weaves through tunnels and across restored Victorian bridges over the River Greta.
• Dodd Wood: Climb through towering evergreens to a summit that offers a breathtaking panoramic vista stretching across the Solway Firth to Scotland.
• Sale Fell: Enjoy a peaceful, gentle loop on this quiet Wainwright fell for a stunning perspective over the northern reaches of the lake.
• Whinlatter Forest to Barf & Lord’s Seat: Walk through England’s only mountain forest to reach iconic summits with bird’s-eye views of local osprey nesting sites.

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Final Thoughts

Download & Go!

Download the free PDF and GPX of the walk here

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