Map: OS Explorer OL5

         The English Lakes North-Eastern area

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Parking: This walk is easily accessed from the National Trust car Park for Aira Force. There are a couple of additional car parks on the road to Dockray that have footpath access to the waterfalls, as well as laybys on the Glenridding to Pooley Bridge road.

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Route:

From the National Trust carpark, the route is mostly

signposted which makes it really straightforward.

Head up the valley, past Aira Falls (stopping for a look 

now does involve a descent and then climb up again

so we saved until after the walk! Continue up the river and the ground starts to level out. At the top footbridge there is a good open area by the river that makes a good stopping point for biscuits to fuel for the climb to come. You come out of the trees shortly after this point and then, by a plantation, the path turns obviously to the right. There are signs and a path leading up a steeper section on your right hand side. Also a gate to stop you going too far up the valley!

Follow this path up to the summit trigpoint.

Many people head directly south at the trigpoint, across the heather, to gain a "better" view of Ullswater. Save your energy! You will get this view later on the terrace path with much less effort! Instead, simply continue on along the path which starts to descend. We played "mountain biking" down here, picking a route between the rocks that you would follow on a bike and the Little Chaps loved this. It really got us down this section quickly, without any moaning or requests for more biscuits!

There is only one junction so you know when you have reached the terrace path. A path up from your left (East) comes through a wooden gate and you turn right (West) along the terrace path. This climbs a little to begin with and has a few small undulations but the walking is easy and you spend most of your time looking at the boat traffic on Ullswater and the views towards Helvellyn. 

An obvious viewpoint and cairn make a good lunch spot if you have not already stopped. Alternatively, engage in the practice of "second lunch" and enjoy the view point anyway

Continue along the terrace path back to the National Trust area. You can continue back up towards the Falls if you have not already seen them or head straight across the footbridge and back to the car park. Ice cream and cake is available!

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Verdict: 

This was our day 2 walk so it was deliberately nice and easy for the Little Chaps. The main climb is quite steep but this gets it out of the way quickly and the view is worth it. The view of Ullswater towards Glenridding and Helvellyn is awesome! A great mountain to introduce children to walking as, despite its small stature, you feel right in the middle of the Lake District, seeing everything that it has to offer which serves as inspiration for the future. This is a great first Wainwright (or first mountain) for anyone because the paths are good and the navigation easy (take a map to practice if you are new to map reading - Little Chap #1 navigated the whole of this walk for us which really boosted his confidence).

Plus, the carpark has toilets and changing facilities - and cake and ice cream is available!

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