A. This route is circular and can be done in either direction depending on wind. It is described here clockwise. Put on the water and turn left.

B. Unlike other water, Windermere is a highway, and has special navigation rules from the Lake District National Park. The lake steamers have right of way over every craft, powered or unpowered, and paddle craft give way to everything.

C. Once past the jetties and Ambleside Youth Hostel, thread your way through moored craft on the east side of the lake to Holme Crag Field. This is the National Trust property ad sticks out as a noticeable promontory. It is fine to land here and is a great place for a picnic.

D. Continuing along you will spot Low Wood Hotel, water sports centre and a cannon!

E. Carry on paddling along the lake, keeping a keen eye out for ferries and other craft. At just over 1.5 miles the woods around Brockhole will come into view. There is a public jetty and small beach area here, where it is possible to land.

F. Back on your route you will pass White Cross Bay and Parkhill Wood before seeing Trout Beck entering the lake. You can also see the imposing façade of Calgarth Hall. This is your turning point.

G. Check carefully for other craft and head across the lake towards the opposite shore. Enjoy your 360 degrees views of the stunning peaks of the lake district.

H. Head past Pinstones Wood before Green Tuft Island comes into view around the corner from the Wray Castle Jetty.

I. Wray Castle is just visible above oak trees. It’s a modern folly, and in possession of the National Trust, as in the land behind Green Tuft Island, used as NT Low Wray campsite. Toilets and landing is possible, although there are likely to be many anglers here.

J. Moving on, you can spot a small Island, Seamew Crag. A Gull colony with dwarf battered trees. Watch out for underwater reefs extending out from the shore to Seamew Crag.

K. You are now curving around back to your start point at Ambleside. The Park land on shore from Pull Wyke to Brathay River Mouth is privately owned, including Brathay Bay shore and Brathay’s natural harbour, one of three natural harbours on lake.

L. Check for ferries as you return to shore.