Orrest Head

Walked on 22/11/2015

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) from Windermere

Distance: 1.3 miles Total Ascent: 105 metres Time Taken: 45 minutes Start Time: 15:30

Weather: Cold. 4ºC

Just time for a quick jaunt up to Orrest Head tonight to catch the dying embers of today’s winter sunshine. At least I remembered the camera and battery!

Moon rising over the Howgills.

The view over Windermere to the Langdale Pikes.

The Far Eastern fells.

The golden boys.

Windermere sunset.

The dying embers of the day.

The Coniston fells.

Orrest Head

Walked on 24/05/2015

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) from Windermere

Distance: 1.3 miles Total Ascent: 105 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes Start Time: 09:20

Weather: Warm. 18ºC

Time for a quick jaunt up to Orrest Head before lunch, ascending the back way is much better than via the usual signposted path – it was a very pleasant wander on an early summer day.

A view along Windermere from Fell Foot, taken on 13th May.

Looking across the rooftops of Windermere on the way to Orrest Head.

A similar view from higher up.

Bluebells in the wood.

Looking to the high fells from the viewpoint indicator.

The Far Eastern fells.

A fabulous view along Windermere.

Tongues out! These boys are telling you it is warm today.

Orrest Head

Height: 239 metres / 783 feet Grid reference: SD 41407 99347 Category: The Outlying Fells

The view from Orrest Head – Wainwright’s first fell

A panoramic of the top of Orrest Head

The key to the ascent!

Orrest Head

Walked on 19/12/2012

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) from Windermere

Distance: 1.3 miles Total Ascent: 105 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes Start Time: 09:20

Weather: Cold wind, overcast. 5ºC

Just enough time for a quick walk up to Orrest Head this morning, I thought it would be wise to get up there as early as possible before the predicted high winds and accompanying rain. There was an icy blast up there to remind us that it is still mid-winter…

Today was one of those grey winter days (the dark days) when it never seems to get light so this walk was pretty much in the gloom with no distant views - this one is looking across Windermere village to Windermere.

A panoramic view - you don't have to get so far from the road to see a good length of the lake. It was no wonder the Victorians decided this would be a good place for a tourist stopping place.

Climbing higher.

A panoramic of the top of Orrest Head.

The Far Eastern fells from the top.

Mono view.

There is a new view indicator courtesy of The Wainwright Society and Windermere Town Council and what a good job they have made of it with a lovely piece of etched slate.

Windblown Dougal and Casper on the top, it was pretty cold up here.

Looking across to School Knott.

Dougal checks out the northern reaches of Windermere.

The return to Windermere.

Orrest Head

Walked on 23/11/2011

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) circular

Distance: 1.2 miles Total Ascent: 109 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes Start Time: 10:05

Weather: Overcast, drizzle. 12C

It is still amazingly warm for the time of year but the skies were leaden and full of threatening clouds this morning. I didn’t fancy anywhere too high, which was a good thing really as I forgot my boots…I wouldn’t want to ruin my Gucci loafers crossing Striding Edge, would I?

Firstly, couple of photos I took on Sunday when I was on my way to Love the Lakes, Keswick…

Orrest Head route map.

Skiddaw gets a lovely inversion across Latrigg, I know where I would have gone if work wasn't a priority!

A beautiful view across Derwent Water to Catbells. On to today's walk...

Windermere from the path to Orrest Head.

Mossy wall.

I don't know what your doing up there Dougal, Casper has gone the sensible way through the sheep hole down to the left!

The view to the north west on the top of Orrest Head.

Take a seat and have a view in any direction you like.

Orrest Head, the new viewpoint indicator has sadly gone again.

The view southwards to Bowness and Windermere.

Something has grabbed Casper and Dougal's attention.

Sour Howes.

Wansfell.

Damp and slippery Orrest Head.

The view towards Ambleside.

Sour Howes and Sallows from the descent to Common Wood.

Back to Windermere.

Orrest Head

Walked on 14/05/2010

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) from Windermere

Distance: 1.3 miles Total Ascent: 105 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes Start Time: 08:50

Weather: Drizzle throughout, 7C

The weather changed overnight from beautiful sunshine to general damp and dreariness this morning. I had a short walk up to Orrest Head and at least the rain gave me a chance to try out my new Haglofs jacket!

Orrest Head route map.

Come on in, everyone's welcome.

This is it - today's best view of Windermere.

Looking back along the track from Windermere to Common Wood.

Looks like you have bitten off more than you can chew there Dougal.

Heading through Common Wood.

Primroses, Bluebells and the start of the dreaded bracken.

Orrest Head Bluebells.

A gloomy Orrest Head summit.

Casper and Dougal emerge from a large hole on the top of Orrest Head!

Fun and frolics for the boys on the way down.

Damp Casper.

Orrest Head

Walked on 14/01/2010

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) from Windermere

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent: 120 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes

Weather: Snowing. 1°C

The snow was heavy and constant for our walk up to Orrest Head this morning and this meant that all views from this renowned viewpoint were obliterated. I find that walking through snow clad trees on snowy paths has its own merits though, and coupled with the muffled and muted sounds it still makes it a different but nevertheless enjoyable experience.

Snowy Windermere at the start of the walk.

The footpath to Orrest Head - views to the Lake District fells it says, but not today.

Looking over the rooftops towards the lake.

Walking through the trees (spot Casper?).

Casperoonals.

The Doogster.

The top of Orrest Head; there's no one around today to sit and admire the views.

The summit indicator is snowed over, at least it is showing exactly what you can see.

Orrest Head trees and the snow is coming down thick and fast now

Casper shows Dougal how to tackle a wall stile.

Alpine looking trees. Later, on the way home (after we had an agreeable lunch of course!)...

Skelwith Force.

Looking upstream along the River Brathay from the falls, the Millennium Bridge can just be seen.

The view in the opposite direction.

Skelwith Bridge.

Orrest Head

Walked on 27/03/2009

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) from Windermere

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent: 120 metres Time Taken: 20 minutes

Weather: Windy and cold. 6°C.

Winter seems to have returned once more and there is snow on the high fells, in fact it was snowing when I set off for Orrest Head at lunchtime and the wind made it feel really cold. No hanging around for me and the boy wonder then, so it was straight up and down today.

Snow on the Coniston fells and a very brief spell of sunshine over Windermere from the Windermere Hotel.

The far eastern fells from the summit viewpoint indicator on Orrest Head.

The Langdale Pikes and the head of Windermere.

The view to the south over Bowness and along Windermere.

Caudale Moor and the Ill Bell ridge.

Red Screes peering over the top of Wansfell.

Blimey, I thought that was old Wainwright himself looking out from his first fell!

Windswept Casper.

The view indicator has been replaced since I was last here at Christmas. 'Lake Windermere'? I thought it was just called Windermere!

School Knott across the busy A591.

Sunshine on The Howgills.

Orrest Head

Walked on 24/12/2008

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) from Windermere

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent: 120 metres Time Taken: 40 minutes

Weather: Misty. 5ºC.

We had a quick walk this morning up to Orrest Head, mainly to break up the day for the very excited Connie! Nearly as exciting as Christmas was the sight of two deer on the walk, as we spotted them before they spotted us and that is always a treat as we managed to watch them for a little while.

It is quite clear where we are walking today from this sign.

Windermere from the path to Orrest Head.

Casper waits for Connie on this tricky section.

How to climb a wall stile, Beardie style.

...and Connie style.

I went to the butcher's today and bought eight legs of venison, they cost me £10. Do you think that was too dear?

The viewpoint indicator on Orrest Head.

Looking south along Windermere.

The Far Eastern fells from the seat at the top.

Looking across Windermere to Claife Heights.

Casper and Connie take in the view to the north west.

Caudale Moor and the Ill Bell ridge.

'Merry Christmas' says this excited girl.

Windermere, and through the mist the Langdales can (just about) be seen.

Back at Bowness, it is 'bath time' to get rid of all that mud!

Windermere from Bowness Bay.

Orrest Head

Walked on 16/04/2008

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) from Windermere

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent: 120 metres Time Taken: 25 minutes

Weather: Overcast. 10oC.

I just managed a quick walk this morning, the blue sky of the early morning soon gave way to thickening cloud spoiling the views a little. Orrest Head was famously the first fell Wainwright climbed on leaving Windermere station and the one that inspired him to begin his quest to write those well known guides. There was also a new look for two of our party today too…

This way? Don't know who those two are, but I don't think it will take 20 minutes to get there.

Looking down on the rooftops of Windermere.

The gateway to Orrest Head.

The view to the snow topped higher fells from the top of Orrest Head from above the view indicator.

Looking south along Windermere.

A close up on the Scafells, Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes. Great End and Great Gable are the two distant sunlit fells.

Bowness Bay and Windermere above the tree tops.

It must be nearly summer! Angus and Casper show off their new hairdo's (hair by Sean, appointments now being taken!).

Stop those teeth chattering foxy, you know it's for your own good.

There is a brilliant northerly panorama from here.

Red Screes, Caudale Moor and the Eastern fells.

Leaving the summit. The Coniston fells are to the left.

Orrest Head

Walked on 15/01/2006

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) from Windermere

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent: 120 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Dull with odd clear spells. 7°C

Orrest Head is an easy walk from Windermere village; famously it is the first fell that Wainwright ascended and where the stunning view across Windermere caught his imagination and inspired his lifelong passion to wander the fells. Not so today, however, the stunning view was masked by low cloud generally although there were some nice glimpses of the lake.

Just in case we don't know where we are...

...and to make doubly sure we are going the right way.

A peep through to Windermere from the path.

Wheel gate.

A sunny run in the woods for Angus.

Wansfell.

Looking south along Windermere over Bowness.

Belle Isle.

The sun picks out Loughrigg Fell at the northern end of Windermere.

Loughrigg Fell.

A panoramic shot looking south...

...and a panoramic shot looking north with the summit view indicator in the foreground. The view to the high fells is hidden by the clouds.

Angus and Connie on the summit of Orrest Head.

Look at my gloves! On the way back home we took the ferry across Windermere to Far Sawrey.

Looking across Windermere to Orrest Head in the right distance with the Yoke - Ill Bell - Froswick ridge behind.

Looking back to Bowness marina, Brant Fell behind.

Orrest Head

Walked on 14/02/2005

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) from Windermere

Weather: Cold, fine with sunny spells.

This week is the school half-term, so today’s short walk is a child friendly one to Orrest Head, famous for being Wainwright’s first ascent of a Lake District fell and the one that changed his life forever. It is easy to see why with an easy stroll from Windermere rewarded with magnificent views of the high fells. Orrest Head is described in Wainwright’s Orrest Head chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 26.

This way...

Connie and Angus at the summit view indicator.

Red Screes.

Caudale Moor, Thornthwaite Crag and the Ill Bell ridge

The Langdale Pikes and High Raise.

The Central Fells. See below for an annotated version of this photo.

The Coniston Fells.

Looking south along Windermere.

Orrest Head

Walked on 23/05/2004

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) from Windermere

Weather: Sunny and Warm

You can't miss this one - 'The way to Orrest Head is announced by a large signboard....' AW

Connie, aged 3, fulfils the AW prophecy; 'Orrest Head for many of us, is "where we came in" - our first ascent in Lakeland, our first sight of mountains in tumultuous array across glittering waters, our awakening to beauty.'

Looking across Windermere to Brim Fell, Swirl How and Wetherlam, Wrynose Pass is the dip in the centre with the Crinkle Crags and Scafell Pike to the right.

L-R: The Coniston fells, the Bowfell range, the Langdale fells, High Raise and Ullscarf from the view indicator on the summit.

Looking north with Heron Pike, Great Rigg, and Fairfield to the left and to the right Red Screes, Kirkstone Pass and then Caudale Moor.

Looking south along Windermere.