6.4
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.4A small Lake District lake with a straightforward waterside trail between Cow Bridge and Sykeside, set beneath the surrounding fells.
Brothers Water offers a compact lakeside outing with a clear route to follow and views framed by the Lake District fells. Its strongest appeal is the walk along the water’s edge, rather than a claim to facilities or activities that the available sources do not verify.
Peaceful · Dramatic · Wild
Find your way
Open mapNear Patterdale, Cumbria
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The experience
The sourced outing is a 2.5-mile out-and-back walk beside Brothers Water, starting at Cow Bridge Car Park and heading towards Sykeside. Allow around 30–60 minutes for the walk itself, with extra time for pauses. No swimming or paddling permission is verified.
Things to do
Walk beside Brothers Water
Follow the described lakeside route from Cow Bridge Car Park towards Sykeside, passing Hartsop Hall and returning the same way.
About 30–60 minutes walking
Pause for the fell and lake views
Take time along the waterside path to look across the lake and towards the surrounding fells. The views are noted in the route source.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 30–60 minutes walking; allow extra time for stops.
Quick Escape: the Brothers Water out-and-back
- 01
Start at Cow Bridge Car Park (National Trust).
- 02
Follow the described path beside Brothers Water, continuing past Hartsop Hall towards Sykeside.
- 03
Turn back along the same route; check current access and conditions before setting out.
Half day · Half day, including time for pauses; the walking route itself is estimated at 30–60 minutes.
Make a half day of the lakeside walk
- 01
Check the Kirkstone Pass road and walking conditions before travelling.
- 02
Walk the described out-and-back route from Cow Bridge Car Park alongside Brothers Water towards Sykeside.
- 03
Allow time to pause for views and return by the same route.
- 04
If considering refreshments at Sykeside, check access and opening times in advance.
When to go
· No specific time is verified. Check weather, route and road conditions before setting out.
The supplied sources do not establish a best season or particular seasonal wildlife feature.
The route source warns that conditions can change. It describes the Kirkstone Pass approach as narrow, steep and winding, and says it should not be attempted in snow or icy conditions.
Worth pairing with
Sykeside
The route description identifies Sykeside as the walk’s turning point and mentions refreshments there; check access and opening times before planning around them.
What to look for
Notice how the lake, surrounding trees and fell views change along the waterside path. Specific wildlife sightings or seasonal features are not verified in the supplied sources.
Best time to go
Check local conditions before visiting; no specific seasonal highlight is verified in the supplied sources.
No specific best time of day is verified. Check conditions before setting out, particularly for the Kirkstone Pass approach.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Couples
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A lakeside walk is described from Cow Bridge Car Park (National Trust), following the edge of Brothers Water towards Sykeside. Check current access and parking arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
The described walk starts at Cow Bridge Car Park (National Trust). Check current parking arrangements and charges before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
The AllTrails route description mentions refreshments at Sykeside; check access and opening times before relying on this.
Check before visiting
Dogs
AllTrails advises keeping dogs under close control because of wildlife along the trail. Check current local guidance.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The route is described as an out-and-back walk, but surface, gradients and accessibility provisions are not verified. The approach road over Kirkstone Pass is described as narrow, steep and winding, and unsuitable for larger vehicles or less confident drivers; do not attempt it in snow or icy conditions.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Lake
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Brothers Water
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
