Corpse Road and Tumuli Walk

Overview

About Corpse Road and Tumuli Walk

Why go

Unusual mix of archaeology, farm landscape, lake shore, and waterfall
Compact half-day route with a varied sequence

Heads up

Small starting car park
Uneven and slippery sections, plus a steep narrow descent

Map & elevation

The route

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Full map

Elevation121–321 m

TrailheadCorpse Road and Tumuli Walk54.57711, -3.34057

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Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Start at Maggie's Bridge car park, Loweswater, Cumbria CA13 0RU, grid ref NY134210. It is a small, limited-capacity car park with no dependable overflow. Approach via the road signed for Loweswater, not a separate Maggie's Bridge sign. There is no public transport to this start.

Best time to go

The lake can hold great crested grebes, tufted ducks, and cormorants, while red squirrels live in the surrounding woods. Late spring through early autumn is the most dependable window for clearer views and firmer ground. Morning or late afternoon gives the lake and waterfall gentler light. There are no facilities on the route, and no bins, so carry water and take all litter and dog waste with you.

Safety

The route includes a steady climb, uneven ground, a steep narrow descent, and paths that become slippery when wet. Take extra care around Holme Beck after heavy rain and keep dogs under close control through High Nook Farm, where farm vehicles and livestock may be present. It is not suitable for pushchairs, and there are no bins or route facilities.

8 active Lake District alerts

ClosureChapel Stile footpath closed for retaining-wall riskPart of Footpath 543030 between Chapel Stile and Baysbrown campsite is closed because a retaining wall beside the path could collapse and material it supports could fall across the footpath.Official details
ClosureStanley Ghyll Lower Falls footpath closed for rockfallThe section of Footpath 408037 leading towards Stanley Ghyll Lower Falls is closed because severe rockfall damage has made the path unstable and further rockfall remains a danger.Official details

See all 8 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Lake District Tour Guide

Your drive to Corpse Road and Tumuli Walk, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Lake District National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

Recorded for this trailhead

Loweswater: Holme Wood and Lakeshore

0:00 / 1:18

“Up ahead is Maggie's Bridge, the starting point for a quiet walk beside Loweswater and through Holme Wood.”

Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Lake District Tour Guide.

Hiking Corpse Road and Tumuli Walk

The walkThis is a 3.6-mile (5.

This is a 3.6-mile (5.76 km) circular walk, measured for the full loop from Maggie's Bridge car park. Allow about 2.5 hours. It is easy overall, but the terrain changes often and the route climbs steadily to High Nook before a steeper, narrow descent.

What you will seeStart through the gate opposite the car park and climb by track to High Nook Farm, with its…

Start through the gate opposite the car park and climb by track to High Nook Farm, with its traditional Cumbrian buildings and hay meadows. The route then follows the old Corpse Road beside the wall, with open views over Loweswater and the surrounding fells. It drops through woodland to Holme Force and a stone bridge, then returns along the lakeshore. Near the bothy, look for a rectangular Second World War cable platform and two burial mounds before crossing the meadows back to the car park.

Ground and effortExpect farm track, gravel, rough open ground, woodland paths, and a steep narrow downhill…

Expect farm track, gravel, rough open ground, woodland paths, and a steep narrow downhill section. Wet weather can make paths slippery, and the route is not suitable for pushchairs. The climb is gradual rather than technical, but this is more than a flat lakeside stroll. Holme Force is especially photogenic when the beck is running strongly after rain.

Dogs and accessDogs are welcome under close control.

Dogs are welcome under close control. Keep them close around the working farm, livestock, farm machinery, and the open fell, and do not let them foul paths or picnic areas. The car park is small and there is no public transport to the start.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Lake District

All Lake District wildlife maps

81 sightingsRed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

13 sightingsEurasian OtterMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

76 sightingsOspreyMost seen around 8 AMSighting map

51 sightingsEuropean BadgerMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

233 sightingsMute SwanMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

176 sightingsGrey HeronMost seen around 7 AMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Lake District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.