Start at the Powter Howe Car Park near Thornthwaite. It's free (or was last time I went!) but there's a donations box by the entrance. Head through the gate at the Eastern side of the car park then turn left and follow the track through the woods heading North. Follow the path round to the right up a small hill then down the other side, (be careful not to enter the private residence at the Northern end of the wood). At the bottom of the slope, turn right at a fence which is followed to the South through the trees. Where the path heads downhill to your left, follow this to a gate. There may be cows/sheep in the field. Go through the gate and head opposite (literally just a few strides away) to another gate which you pass through and go under the underpass underneath the A66. Go through another gate on the opposite side which brings you to the lakeshore. You can have off-lead fun here! Be careful in summer as there may be blue/green algae (look for signs about it). Great views over the lake! Follow the lakeshore to the North for a nice walk along the shore to another bay. Head back the same way but once under the underpass, go the short distance across the field to the second gate, then once through this, turn left which will take you to the car park once more.