The Lake District by boat
Getting there
A routing app will put you on a boat that stopped for the season, because it sees a line on the map and not a timetable. This page is the part a map cannot do: which of the lakes have a scheduled passenger boat at all (4 of 17), who runs each of the 6 services, where they land, and the shape of each season with the day we read it.
Take the boat out and walk back. A walk that overruns is a walk home; a boat that has gone is a problem, and from the far pier the problem is a shore path in the dark.
It is true in every season and needs no timetable. The operators publish theirs, and every service below links to it; we publish none, because a stale sailing time is worse than no sailing time. There is a last sailing on every one of these lakes, it is earlier than most people expect, and the only place to read today’s is the operator’s page.
Derwentwater
Keswick Launch
passenger launch
Runs all year, on a summer timetable and a winter timetable; the operator posts a same-day service status. Read from the Keswick Launch timetable page on 17 September 2026.
Lands at Keswick, Ashness Gate (Barrow Bay), Lodore, High Brandelhow, Low Brandelhow, Hawes End, Nichol End.
The Catbells landings are Hawes End and the two Brandelhows; the operator's status page is the only place that says whether a landing is open today.
Walks from Derwentwater’s piers
From Keswick
- The full circuit of Derwentwater from Keswick0.1 km on foot from the pier to the start, 16 m up; the walk itself 14.4 km, 103 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Keswick pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Ashness Bridge & Surprise View0.3 km on foot from the pier to the start, 22 m up; the walk itself 13.4 km, 322 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Keswick pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Keswick Square to Latrigg0.9 km on foot from the pier to the start, 47 m up; the walk itself 6.0 km, 317 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Keswick pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Walla Crag and Bleaberry Fell from Keswick0.9 km on foot from the pier to the start, 47 m up; the walk itself 12.5 km, 658 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Keswick pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Castlerigg Stone Circle (from Keswick)0.9 km on foot from the pier to the start, 50 m up; the walk itself 7.3 km, 171 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Keswick pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and directionClosed just now. Part of this walk is closed: the Keswick to Threlkeld trail is shut at the bridge over the River Greta while the bridge is replaced. National Park Authority notice
- Friar's Crag & the Derwentwater shore1.0 km on foot from the pier to the start, 42 m up; the walk itself 4.2 km, 43 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Keswick pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail, with a Pub1.4 km on foot from the pier to the start, 68 m up; the walk itself 12.3 km, 98 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Keswick pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and directionClosed just now. The trail is closed at the bridge over the River Greta, near the Keswick start, while the bridge is replaced. National Park Authority notice
- Latrigg, Little Man, Sale & Cumbria Way Section1.5 km on foot from the pier to the start, 67 m up; the walk itself 18.1 km, 971 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Keswick pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
From Ashness Gate (Barrow Bay)
- Walla Crag, Bleaberry Fell, High Seat, High Tove and Armboth Fell0.1 km on foot from the pier to the start, 47 m up; the walk itself 17.0 km, 812 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Ashness Gate (Barrow Bay) pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
From Lodore
- Lodore Falls Hotel to Bowder Stone and Watendlath0.4 km on foot from the pier to the start, 16 m up; the walk itself 11.1 km, 395 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Lodore pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Lodore Falls Hotel to Bowder Stone0.4 km on foot from the pier to the start, 16 m up; the walk itself 10.1 km, 492 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Lodore pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Watendlath & the packhorse bridge0.4 km on foot from the pier to the start, 16 m up; the walk itself 10.3 km, 298 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Lodore pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- The Borrowdale Hotel to Bowder Stone and Back1.1 km on foot from the pier to the start, 68 m up; the walk itself 6.2 km, 160 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Lodore pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
From High Brandelhow
- Maiden Moor and High Spy0.6 km on foot from the pier to the start, 73 m up; the walk itself 10.2 km, 653 m of ascent. a circuit: back to High Brandelhow pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
From Hawes End
- Catbells, Maiden Moor & High Spy0.5 km on foot from the pier to the start, 70 m up; the walk itself 12.6 km, 726 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Hawes End pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Catbells: the short way up0.5 km on foot from the pier to the start, 70 m up; the walk itself 5.7 km, 407 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Hawes End pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
Ullswater
Ullswater 'Steamers'
passenger launch
Sails nearly every day of the year, on a timetable that changes through the year; wind at Pooley Bridge cuts the service to Glenridding to Howtown. The Aira Force pier is closed until the operator reopens it (still closed when we last checked, 24 September 2026). Read from the Ullswater 'Steamers' timetable page on 17 September 2026.
Lands at Glenridding, Howtown, Pooley Bridge, Aira Force (closed).
Howtown is the committing landing: the walk back to Glenridding or Pooley Bridge is the long one, and the site's own advice on the Ullswater page is to take the boat first.
Walks from Ullswater’s piers
From Glenridding
- Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor0.6 km on foot from the pier to the start, 22 m up; the walk itself 15.6 km, 1269 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Glenridding pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Lanty's Tarn and Glenridding Beck0.6 km on foot from the pier to the start, 27 m up; the walk itself 3.1 km, 126 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Glenridding pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Helvellyn via Striding Edge & Swirral Edge0.6 km on foot from the pier to the start, 27 m up; the walk itself 12.7 km, 948 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Glenridding pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Glenridding Dodd from the Inn on the Lake0.7 km on foot from the pier to the start, 20 m up; the walk itself 3.9 km, 297 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Glenridding pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Inn on the Lake to Silver Point and Back0.7 km on foot from the pier to the start, 20 m up; the walk itself 8.9 km, 191 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Glenridding pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Grisedale Tarn, Fairfield, St Sunday Crag from Patterdale1.6 km on foot from the pier to the start, 65 m up; the walk itself 15.9 km, 983 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Glenridding pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- St Sunday Crag1.6 km on foot from the pier to the start, 65 m up; the walk itself 10.2 km, 838 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Glenridding pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Patterdale to Hartsop and Brothers Water1.6 km on foot from the pier to the start, 65 m up; the walk itself 11.5 km, 169 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Glenridding pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Patterdale to Silver Point and Back1.6 km on foot from the pier to the start, 65 m up; the walk itself 6.5 km, 118 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Glenridding pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Place Fell and The Knight1.7 km on foot from the pier to the start, 69 m up; the walk itself 7.3 km, 547 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Glenridding pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
From Howtown
- Howtown to Patterdale along Ullswater0.0 km on foot from the pier to the start; the walk itself 9.9 km, 214 m of ascent. ends at Patterdale
- Howtown to Glenridding along Ullswater0.0 km on foot from the pier to the start; the walk itself 10.6 km, 176 m of ascent. a linear walk: it ends away from this pier
- Hallin Fell1.2 km on foot from the pier to the start, 105 m up; the walk itself 2.0 km, 165 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Howtown pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Swarth Fell and Loadpot Hill1.2 km on foot from the pier to the start, 105 m up; the walk itself 9.7 km, 599 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Howtown pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Fusedale Circuit1.2 km on foot from the pier to the start, 105 m up; the walk itself 14.7 km, 888 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Howtown pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Birketts to the South of Ullswater1.2 km on foot from the pier to the start, 105 m up; the walk itself 11.5 km, 790 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Howtown pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
From Pooley Bridge
- Heughscar Hill & Arthur's Pike0.5 km on foot from the pier to the start, 53 m up; the walk itself 11.7 km, 437 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Pooley Bridge pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Pooley Bridge to Shap0.5 km on foot from the pier to the start, 49 m up; the walk itself 15.4 km, 382 m of ascent. a linear walk: it ends away from this pier
Windermere
Windermere Lake Cruises
passenger launch
Runs all year: a peak timetable through the summer and autumn, and reduced off-peak timetables from November to March; the operator publishes a service status. Read from the Windermere Lake Cruises timetable page on 17 September 2026.
Lands at Bowness, Ambleside (Waterhead), Lakeside, Brockhole, Ferry House. Not every landing is served all year. Seasonal landings, as the operator’s pages gave them on 4 October 2026: Ash Landing, not served now: the Cross Lakes Shuttle calls there 23 May 2026 to 27 September 2026, and that season has ended; Wray Castle, not served now: the Green Cruise calls there 28 March 2026 to 1 November 2026, and that season has ended.
Windermere Ferry
chain ferry: cars, bikes and foot passengers
A council-run vehicle and passenger ferry across the lake between Ferry Nab, below Bowness, and Far Sawrey, carrying cars, bikes and foot passengers: runs all year, seven days, from early morning to the evening, an hour later in summer than in winter, and not on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. Its departures are affected by weather, passenger numbers and maintenance, and the council sends a daily service update by email. Read from the Windermere Ferry timetable page on 17 September 2026.
Lands at Ferry Nab, Ferry House (Far Sawrey).
No guaranteed return. The council runs it to no set timetable, does not guarantee a return journey, and takes no bookings. A walk that needs the ferry to get back needs a way home that does not.
It is the short way from Bowness to Claife Heights and the west shore, and the wrong thing to plan a day around in a gale.
Walks from Windermere’s piers
From Bowness
- Brant Fell from Bowness0.1 km on foot from the pier to the start; the walk itself 2.9 km, 161 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Bowness pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
From Ambleside (Waterhead)
- Ambleside to the Old Post Office Tea Room, Troutbeck (over Wansfell)1.4 km on foot from the pier to the start, 42 m up; the walk itself 9.9 km, 547 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Ambleside (Waterhead) pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Wansfell Pike and Baystones1.5 km on foot from the pier to the start, 58 m up; the walk itself 11.9 km, 560 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Ambleside (Waterhead) pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Sour Howes, Sallows, Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick and Troutbeck Tongue in the sun!1.6 km on foot from the pier to the start, 55 m up; the walk itself 27.6 km, 1424 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Ambleside (Waterhead) pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Long Hike to Fairfield from Ambleside1.6 km on foot from the pier to the start, 62 m up; the walk itself 22.4 km, 1425 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Ambleside (Waterhead) pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Ambleside over Miller Bridge1.6 km on foot from the pier to the start, 62 m up; the walk itself 3.2 km, 162 m of ascent. ends at Pine Rigg
- Ambleside to Wray Castle1.6 km on foot from the pier to the start, 62 m up; the walk itself 6.5 km, 189 m of ascent. ends at Wray Castle
From Ferry House
If you cross on the Windermere Ferry: The council runs it to no set timetable, does not guarantee a return journey, and takes no bookings. A walk that needs the ferry to get back needs a way home that does not.
- Along Windermere's Western Shore0.1 km on foot from the pier to the start; the walk itself 7.6 km, 94 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Ferry House pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
From Wray Castle
No boat to Wray Castle just now. The Green Cruise calls there from 28 March 2026 to 1 November 2026.
- Wray Castle & the Windermere west shore0.4 km on foot from the pier to the start, 40 m up; the walk itself 9.6 km, 114 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Wray Castle pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
Coniston Water
Coniston Launch
passenger launch
Runs all year: daily in summer, a reduced winter timetable, and some routes in summer only; the operator publishes a service status. Read from the Coniston Launch timetable page on 17 September 2026.
Lands at Coniston, Brantwood, Torver, Sunny Bank.
Steam Yacht Gondola
heritage vessel, weather-dependent
A rebuilt Victorian steam yacht run by the National Trust: seasonal, sailing on the days its calendar shows and not in bad weather. A way across the water on the day it sails, and an attraction first; do not plan a walk home around it. Read from the Steam Yacht Gondola timetable page on 17 September 2026.
Lands at Coniston Pier, Brantwood.
Walks from Coniston Water’s piers
From Coniston
- West Side of Coniston0.1 km on foot from the pier to the start; the walk itself 5.8 km, 27 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Coniston pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- The Sun Pub Walk (Coniston)1.1 km on foot from the pier to the start, 32 m up; the walk itself 6.4 km, 202 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Coniston pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- The Old Man of Coniston, up and down from Coniston1.2 km on foot from the pier to the start, 33 m up; the walk itself 8.8 km, 759 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Coniston pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- North of Coniston Birketts1.3 km on foot from the pier to the start, 72 m up; the walk itself 8.0 km, 494 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Coniston pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
- Coniston Old Man Round1.3 km on foot from the pier to the start, 72 m up; the walk itself 16.1 km, 1155 m of ascent. a circuit: back to Coniston pier, where you need the boat home; check its last sailing for your date and direction
Walks you can start from a pier
48 of our walks begin within 2 km on foot of a landing stage, measured along the paths and roads from the landing to where the walk starts, not as a straight line. They are listed under each lake above, by pier, and each says where it ends: a circuit from a pier brings you back to that pier, where you still need a sailing home, which is the rule turned round. Ending at a pier is not a boat: check the last sailing for your date and direction before you set off, and plan those walks for the first half of the day.
- Derwentwater: 16 walks
- Ullswater: 18 walks
- Windermere: 9 walks
- Coniston Water: 5 walks
Not measured: Sunny Bank. We hold no position for that landing, and a pier is not something to guess the location of.
Lakes with no scheduled boat
No passenger service runs on these; what is on the water is hire, private, or nothing. A router that draws a line across one of them is drawing a line, not a boat.
What this page will not tell you
A sailing time, a fare, a summarised timetable, or whether a boat is running today. None of the operators publishes a live feed, and this site does not invent one. Each shape above names the day it was read from the operator’s own page; a reading older than 90 days is withdrawn from the page rather than left to age. Landing positions are from OpenStreetMap (ODbL). Which walks begin near each landing is listed under each lake, computed on the same foot network the by-train page uses for stations.