Derwent Water is a spectacular lake, fringed by pebbly shores and framed by grand mountains. This route gives a taste of both these gifts gentle shores where you can rest, play and picnic, and breathtaking views across the water to the hills beyond and also takes you through woodland, which is deliciously fresh and colourful right now. There's also a chance of getting out on to the water if you'd like to, with rowing boats for hire and a cross-lake ferry service that visits the shore near Lodore Wood and Fawe Park on the west shore. In addition, there are beautiful gardens and ponds and a pitch and putt course at Hope Park, right opposite the car park.

Route

Begin at Hope Park 1 and head down the road towards the lake shore. The route follows the wide tarmacked lane above the shore, where there are some picnic tables, and then enters the shade of the trees. To the right of this lane is the pebbly lake shore, which is easy to get over with most pushchairs and with powered wheelchairs. From here you can pick up a rowing boat or hop on the ferry if you'd like. For the route, however, continue along the shore and up a ramp, which joins with the tarmac lane. The lane ends and a narrower path continues beneath the canopy of the trees. Between the branches, you can see the lake, the island, and the stepped humps of Cat Bells on the opposite shore.

You'll soon come to a fork in the path 2. Take the right fork' and carry straight on - this takes you to Friar's Crag, which boasts what must be one of the finest views south across the grey-blue waters of the lake towards the Jaws of Borrowdale. There's a bench here. If you have a chair, you'll need to retrace your steps from here back to the fork and take the left branch to go on. If you are walking, you can skirt round the edge of the crag and follow some steps to rejoin the path.

The path passes through a gate and out of the trees and cuts through a spread of smooth grass that runs up to the water's edge. This is a great spot for a picnic, for kids to play, or just for sitting and enjoying the space. When you're ready to move on, continue on the path which winds into the woods and then meets a wider track 3. At this point, turn left. Follow the track towards the road (B5289). Just before it meets the road your path branches left, dipping beneath the trees and then running parallel to the road for about half-a-mile. Then take the first left turn and the path takes you into Cockshot Wood. When you get to the woods, turn left again, and then choose the first right turn. You continue through the woods, carpeted here with delicate white wood anemones, and emerge back at the lake shore by the jetties.

This walk is taken from a collection of more than 20 routes in the Lake District National Park that have been earmarked and maintained by the LDNPA and are suitable for people with limited mobility.

The routes, which have been checked by park rangers, are described in a special booklet Countryside Access For People With Limited Mobility available from Tourist Information Centres and are covered on the authority's website: www.lake-district.gov.uk

Information

Overview: A circular route on easy paths, taking in fabulous lake shore.

Distance: 3km Time: Around 1 hour, but lots of potential for picnicking and staying longer.

Map Ref: Outdoor Leisure 4 The English Lakes North-western area. Start point GR 266 229.

Parking: Pay and display car park by Theatre by the Lake.

Gradients: Mostly flat, a few very slight gradients.

Refreshments: Caf by the lake shore; more in Keswick.

Toilets: Car park, including disabled access.

Public transport: Keswick receives buses from all over Cumbria. The main bus station in Keswick is 700m from the theatre.