ULLSWATER · FAMILY WALKING
Choose the walk for your children, not just the view
A short woodland walk can be a better Ullswater day out than a long lakeside stage. Start with the youngest or least experienced walker, and consider the surface, climb and return journey as well as the distance.
These five options include short paths, a waterfall circuit and a longer fell walk. Use the linked official maps for navigation; this guide helps you choose an outing rather than replacing route directions.
Updated: 30 October 2026. Trail conditions and transport can change. No route is suitable for every child or every pushchair.
Compare the options
| Walk | Distance or format | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dunmallard Wood, Pooley Bridge | Short return walk | Level surfaced riverside path |
| Aira Force Arboretum Trail | 0.5 miles / 0.9 km | Short woodland trail |
| Aira Force Waterfall Trail | 0.9 miles / 1.5 km | Steps, uneven ground and drops |
| Brothers Water from Cow Bridge | Out-and-back; choose your turnaround | Surfaced track with some gradients |
| Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park circuit | 4.5 miles / 7.2 km | Moderate fell walk; steps and rough ground |
Distances refer to the named National Trust trails. For the linear National Park routes, choose a turnaround using the official map and remember to include the walk back.
1. Dunmallard Wood, Pooley Bridge
Distance or format: Short return walk.
Terrain: Level surfaced riverside path.
Start with the National Park’s short riverside route at the foot of Dunmallard Hill. Walk to the seating area and return the same way; climbing the hill is a different outing.
Family planning: A useful option when you want a small walk near the village. The National Park grades it “for many”, which is not a guarantee for every pushchair or mobility aid. Keep children close beside the river.
2. Aira Force Arboretum Trail
Distance or format: 0.5 miles / 0.9 km.
Terrain: Short woodland trail.
The National Trust lists this as its shortest named trail at Aira Force. It gives you a woodland option without committing to the full waterfall route or a fell walk.
Family planning: Do not assume the arboretum trail includes the waterfall. Ask the visitor team which paths suit your family and check the current access map if bringing a pushchair.
3. Aira Force Waterfall Trail
Distance or format: 0.9 miles / 1.5 km.
Terrain: Steps, uneven ground and drops.
The waterfall circuit is a short walk, but its terrain matters more than the mileage. Allow around an hour plus your family’s stops rather than rushing between the viewpoints.
Family planning: The National Trust recommends baby carriers rather than pushchairs for the waterfall routes. Keep children close near steps, bridges and the gorge, and follow any closures.
4. Brothers Water from Cow Bridge
Distance or format: Out-and-back; choose your turnaround.
Terrain: Surfaced track with some gradients.
Just south of Ullswater, this route follows the wooded side of Brothers Water towards Hartsop Hall and Sykeside. You can turn back before completing the full route.
Family planning: The National Park grades the route “for many”. Read its access description and map before choosing how far to go; the approach to the inn at the far end is steeper. Do not rely on refreshments being available at your turnaround.
5. Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park circuit
Distance or format: 4.5 miles / 7.2 km.
Terrain: Moderate fell walk; steps and rough ground.
This is a longer hill outing for families already comfortable with sustained walking. The National Trust’s route combines woodland with open fell and the summit of Gowbarrow.
Family planning: This is not a short, flat alternative to the waterfall trail. Allow extra time for children, stops and conditions; check the forecast and carry a map. It is not a pushchair route.
Which walks need more planning?
The full Ullswater Way is around 20 miles (32 km). The National Park grades the complete circuit “Harder”; treat it as a substantial challenge rather than an easy family stroll.
Longer stages such as Howtown to Glenridding also need a realistic assessment of distance, uneven terrain and the return journey. Choose a shorter outing first if you are unsure how your family will manage.
Read the National Park’s Ullswater Way description for terrain and access details. Low-level does not mean flat.
Can you combine a walk with a boat trip?
You can plan around Ullswater ‘Steamers’, but confirm the exact piers and return sailing before choosing a one-way walk. Weather or operational changes can affect services.
Aira Force update: the operator currently says its Aira Force sailings are suspended until further notice. Do not plan a waterfall walk around a boat calling there without checking the latest notice.
Check live service updates and the operator’s timetable before travelling.
Explore Ullswater cruise options
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Check the route, inclusions and timings of any option before booking.
A practical family walking checklist
- Set a turnaround: leave enough energy, food and daylight for the return.
- Check the conditions: use the forecast, current route notices and our travel and weather alerts.
- Pack for stops: bring water, snacks, warm layers, waterproofs and footwear suited to the ground.
- Keep children close: take particular care beside water, roads, steep edges and livestock.
- Check pushchair access: look at the actual route’s steps, gates, surface and gradients. A general “family-friendly” description is not enough.
- Keep an alternative: our family activities guide includes options when a walk no longer suits the day.
Make Ullswater your base
Explore things to do around Ullswater and the main Ullswater guide for more planning ideas.
Affiliate links. Confirm family-room layout, children’s ages and transport arrangements before booking.
If you are bringing a dog, check our dog-friendly places to stay for selected accommodation policies.
A former British Military Officer, Eddie went on to study History and then Journalism at Sheffield Hallam University. A keen outdoorsman, he has co-written several books on Outdoor Survival and Wild Camping. Now living in Penrith, Ed is a keen fellrunner.
