(S) Park in the National Trust car park just above the lake. With your back to the car park, turn right up the road for about 30m and then left onto the footpath around the lake.
The path around the lake is wide and easy to follow, with beautiful views. Stay on the main path all the way down to the end of the lake, keeping an eye out for the two "money trees" - fallen trees, which have been decorated with thousands of penny coins.
(1) On reaching the end of the lake, make sure you bear right, to stay on the lake path, which then joins up with the Cumbria Way.
(2) The return journey along the northwesterly side of the lake can be a little steep in places, but the path is wide and well-maintained, and the compact stone surface makes it smooth. The views from up above the lake are stunning.
(3)When you reach the road at the end of the lake, turn right and continue 70 m down the road to get back to the car park. You will have great views along the way here of the Coniston hills and Langdale Pikes in the distance.
