If you fancy doing something a little bit special during your stay at The Pheasant Lodge, a Gummer’s How walk is such a gorgeous way to start the day in the Lake District. Especially if you can get there for sunrise. You can be home in time for breakfast it’s so close.
We went in late October, just before the clocks changed, which meant sunrise was around 8am – honestly the dream scenario for anyone who loves a sunrise but hates a 5am alarm. Even better, the start of the walk is only 15 minutes drive from the house, so it’s nice and easy to get to while the roads are still quiet.
Gummer’s How Walk: Getting There: Parking and Start Point
There are two really easy options for parking:
- the layby right next to the Gummer’s How gate, or
- a small car park just across the road.
The Gummer’s How walk is clearly signposted, so you can’t miss it. If you’re driving up the hill from Lake Windermere, the gate is on the left, car park on the right. Once you’re at the gate, follow the path…and that’s pretty much it. It’s one of those walks where you don’t really need to overthink anything.
The Route: A Gentle Start and Two Ways Up
The Gummer’s How walk starts gently with a slightly rocky path – which you’ll have no problem seeing if you have your head torch on. You’ll probably bump into the famous Luing Cattle (beautiful to look at but give them space and carry on).
After a little while you’ll reach the mound at the top and a fork in the path, where you have two choices:
1. The gentler circular route (our pick for sunrise)
- smoother underfoot
- a tiny bit longer but not as steep
- perfect if it’s still dark or if your kness/hips and the rest aren’t great!
2. The scramble route
- shorter and steeper
- hands-on in places
- not my recommendation before sunrise (it can get slippy in the dark!)
We picked the gentler one. I love the scramble in the day time and so do our kids but we had time this morning and wanted an easier walk.
Watching the Light Change as You Climb
This is the part where it starts feeling really magical. Even before sunrise, you’ll spot:
- boats twinkling along Windermere,
- Newby Bridge behind you as you walk,
- and then – as you climb higher – the sky slowly changing over Morecambe Bay.
Once you’re round the corner, you’ll see the summit marker up ahead – Trig point to the walkers out there. Keep climbing to the top for full views. In front you’ll see: the Lake District mountains waking up. Behind you: Cartmel Valley and the bay where the sun will be rising.
We reached the top in around 40 minutes at a mid to slow pace, with enough time to settle in for sunrise.
At the Top: Sunrise + Hot Drink + Big Views
We poured our hot drink, watched the colours shift over the bay and just soaked it all in.
Once it was fully light, we headed back down the same route – and in daylight, the views are even bigger.
We were home, warm, and eating breakfast 45 minutes later. Such a perfect morning.
What to Take (Just the Essentials)
A few things that make the Gummer’s How walk easier and safer, especially before sunrise:
- Head torch – absolutely essential
- Good boots – it can be slippy
- Warm layers + waterproof – weather changes quickly up here
- Hot drink at the top (the dream)
- Warm socks/clothes
- Check sunrise time so you can time it perfectly
It’s a brilliant walk for families too in the daytime – manageable, short, and with some scrambling fun.
Gummer’s How Walk: Why It’s Perfect for Pheasant Lodge Guests
Because it’s only 15 minutes away, you can head out early, watch the sunrise, breathe in that big Lake District air, and still be back at the lodge with the fire on before most people have even had their first coffee.
It’s one of our favourite mini-adventures – beautiful and so worth the early start.
Is this a walk you’d like to do? For more walks in the area you can read this and if you’d like to stay with us, get in touch.
Hannah – Host at the Pheasant Lodge x