
Gummer's How above Windermere
Cumbria
Gummer's How is a small fell on the eastern side of Windermere near its southern end, only 321 metres high but the highest of the foothills in the area. The lower slopes are shaded pine forest where a dog can range fairly freely before the steeper, rockier ground near the top. Wainwright included it in The Outlying Fells of Lakeland and called it an old man's mountain, and the view from the trig point runs up the full length of the lake to Fairfield, Red Screes and the Kirkstone Pass and south over Morecambe Bay. This 2.4km walk starts at the Forestry car park at Astley's Plantation on the road from Newby Bridge to Bowland Bridge, already over 200 metres up, and climbs through pine trees on man-made steps before emerging onto heather and bracken moorland for the final rocky pull to the top. It returns the same way. There is around 180 metres of climbing, with some short steep slopes and rocks to negotiate.
This is a dog friendly walk that packs a real fell top into under an hour. The lower slopes are woodland with shade, and on the open top a dog with good recall can explore, though keep an eye out for grazing sheep and other walkers. The summit has short rocky drops, so keep dogs close there. There is no water on the route, so carry some for your dog on warm days. There are no facilities at the car park, with pubs and cafes in Newby Bridge.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr
- Walk Type
- Peak, Forest, Lake
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- None at the car park or on route; pubs and cafes in Newby Bridge.
- Parking
- Gummer's How car park at Astley's Plantation, Forestry land, on the Newby Bridge to Bowland Bridge road.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Gummer's How above Windermere, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in CumbriaFrequently Asked Questions
Is Gummer's How above Windermere dog friendly?
Gummer's How is a good option for dogs, earning a 7/10 dog-friendly rating. The pine forest on the lower slopes gives dogs plenty of room to roam with some shade, and the open moorland near the summit opens things up further. It's a short route at 2.4km, so it suits dogs of most fitness levels, though the rocky terrain near the top requires a little care.
Can dogs be off lead at Gummer's How above Windermere?
Dogs can have good freedom on the lower woodland slopes, and those with reliable recall can explore on the open heather and bracken moorland higher up. That said, there are grazing sheep on and around the fell, so you'll need to keep that in mind and be ready to call your dog in. Near the summit itself it's worth keeping dogs close, as there are short rocky drops around the trig point.
What should I know before visiting Gummer's How above Windermere with my dog?
There is no water on the route, so carry some for your dog, especially on warmer days. The car park at Astley's Plantation has no facilities, but you'll find pubs and cafes in nearby Newby Bridge. The climb involves around 180 metres of ascent with some steep sections and rocks to negotiate, so be prepared for a bit of a scramble on the final pull to the top.
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Gummer's How car park (Astley's Plantation), Newby Bridge to Bowland Bridge road, Newby Bridge LA11 6NR
54.2804, -2.9399
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