Being on the edge of the Lakes and at the base of the Pennines, we are surrounded by wonderful scenery and amazing walks. If you’re hoping to get some fresh air and explore the countryside, you’re in the perfect place.
Walking
Right Round Ousby
- Length: 3.5 miles / 1.5-2 hrs – Easy
- Start point – Gill Bank
- What we think – explore our home turf and don’t forget to stop off at the Fox Inn for a drink and a snack on the way around. – explore our home turf and don’t forget to stop off at the Fox Inn for a drink and a snack on the way around.
Long Meg stone circle & Lacy’s Caves
- Length: 6 miles / 2-2.5 hrs – Easy
- Start point – Near Gill Bank
- What we think – Setting off from the picturesque village of Little Salkeld, this beautiful family walk along the majestic Eden River brings you to a fascinating carved cave formation and some excellent river swimming spots. The walk then circles around back to the Long Meg and her Daughters stone circle. The circle is from the Neolithic period and originally was formed by over 70 magnificent stones. It is not known how many stones now stand, as the spell of Meg makes it impossible to count the stones correctly twice in a row. – It’s what we look at every morning so we love it, but it’s a good old walk up there. If it’s a lovely day then it’s wonderful but be warned – it can get very windy.
Crossfell
- Length: 11 miles / 6 hrs – Med/Hard
- Start point – Gill Bank
- What we think – It’s what we look at every morning so we love it, but it’s a good old walk up there. If it’s a lovely day then it’s wonderful but be warned – it can get very windy.
Or venture further afield to tackle some of our local hills
Round High Cup Nick
- Length: 12 miles / 6-7 hrs – Med/Hard
- Start point – Dufton (10m)
- What we think – Circle around the spectacular High Cup Nick. A slog up, lovely on the way down. Drop in to The Ship in Dufton for a well deserved pint at the end.
Blencathra via Scales Tarn
- Length: 8-10 miles / 3.5 – 4.5 hrs Hard
- Start point – Patterdale or Glenridding (23m)
- What we think – This is the most prominent summit which you can see on the Wild in Style skyline, on your right as you look down over the Lake District.
- Set off from Mungrisdale and stay left along the stream. This will bring you up to Scales Tarn. Here you can decide to go left around the tarn and take the slightly longer route, or you can stay right and make your way up Sharp Edge. Sharp Edge is a spectacular ridge which offers incredible views carved out of a wave shaped rock formation, but it has its name for a reason – don’t attempt this if you don’t have a head for heights and particularly not in slippery or windy weather, as you run the risk of becoming rockfast. Once you’ve reached the summit, come back down along the Northerly path which brings you to Bannerdale Crags. This gives you panoramic views all the way down, and a gentler slope which puts less pressure on the knees. Where the path rejoins your outbound route, it might be tempting to jump in one of the pools in the river at the bottom of the ravine to cool off and reinvigorate yourself before stopping off in the Mill Inn. In our opinion, the beer and food are excellent, but that might be tainted by the fact that we’ve only ever visited them after a long day on the hill!
- – Setting off from the picturesque village of Little Salkeld, this beautiful family walk along the majestic Eden River brings you to a fascinating carved cave formation and some excellent river swimming spots. The walk then circles around back to the Long Meg and her Daughters stone circle. The circle is from the Neolithic period and originally was formed by over 70 magnificent stones. It is not known how many stones now stand, as the spell of Meg makes it impossible to count the stones correctly twice in a row. – It’s what we look at every morning so we love it, but it’s a good old walk up there. If it’s a lovely day then it’s wonderful but be warned – it can get very windy.
- See: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/6638281/wild-in-styles-blencathra-via-scales-tarn
Some Classics
Askam round Lowther
- Length: 4.5 miles / 2-3hrs – Easy
- Start point – Punch Bowl in Askham
- What we think – A great, low gradient family walk which takes in the beautifully preserved woodlands of the Lowther estate, great views of the castle and, as we always like, good spots for a dip in the river Eden. Cumbria has the most Michelin star restaurants per capita in the UK and Askham is our proud local holder. Having said that, we normally end our walk with a pizza from the Askham hall walled garden. Askham grow all their own produce and make the best value pizza in the area. If you fancy a pint and a pub lunch, then the Punch Bowl is also an excellent pub. We’d also highly recommend the Askham village shop which has a great selection of local produce, from sourdough bread through to cheeses and beers. Lowther Castle also hides the largest adventure playground in the country. It’s a special treat for kids to wander through the magnificent gardens of Lowther’s ruined castles. You have to pay an entrance fee, but it’s a great way to keep the kids entertained for an afternoon! During this summer season, be warned that this can be a very busy area.
- – Circle around the spectacular High Cup Nick. A slog up, lovely on the way down. Drop in to The Ship in Dufton for a well deserved pint at the end.
Helvellyn - Via Striding Edge
- Length: 9 miles / 3.5 – 4.5 hrs – Hard
- Start point – Patterdale or Glenridding (23m)
- What we think – One of our favourites, and the highest point on the skyline on the right hand end of Highstreet as you look out from your yurt (if you add in the Raise as well you can bag 3 Wainwrights in one go). It is a wonderful walk but it is hard work going up Striding Edge – never do it in bad weather and don’t do it with kids. Do NOT underestimate it! If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, off the summit as you head North, there is a steep path which dips down the opposite side of Red Tarn from Striding Edge, and you can descend down Swirral Edge, but special care must be taken as this can be treacherous under foot and the steep sides can make an unexperienced hiker feel quite uneasy. There are lots of routes off Helvellyn though and all capture the beauty of the Lakes.
- See: https://where2walk.co.uk/walk/helvellyn-by-striding-edge/
Scafell Pike from Borrowdale
- Length: 10 miles / 4-5 hrs – Hard
- Start point – Seathwaite (36 miles)
- What we think – Beautiful trek to the highest point in England and past one of the prettiest tarns in the Lakes, Styhead. Again it is a tough climb but well worth it.
- See: https://where2walk.co.uk/walk/scafell-pike-classic/
Bowscale Tarn
- Start Point: Bowscale Car Park
- Length: 3.1 miles – Easy
- A gentle walk up to a secluded tarn. The route follows a bridleway along the side of Bowscale Fell. Great place for having a picnic. Note, it’s uphill all the way to the tarn, so little ones may need some encouragement to get to their goal.
- Please note that the route below only shows one way; you should return along the same path, or descend from the tarn and return via the road.
Walla Crags and Castlerigg Fell
- Length: 3.9 miles
- A great walk with fantastic views over Derwent Water.
- There are a few car parking spaces at the end of Rakefoot road, past Castlerigg Hall Caravan Park, otherwise try just before The Heights Hotel.
- Be prepared for a steep and intimidating walk straight up the fell to start with. Don’t worry though – the ground levels out across the top and the fabulous views are well worth it!
Gowbarrow Round from Aira Force
- Start Point: Middle car park Aira Force
- Length: 7.3 miles
- The walk starts by taking in Aira Force waterfall, then passes behind the unusual Lyulph’s Tower. A short but steep pull up the falls takes you to a flatter footpath that skirts its way round Gowbarrow, with fantastic views out over Ullswater.
- The next section of the walk takes you through a wooded hillside and out onto the road leading to Watermillock. You then follow the country road down to the lake, walking along by the shoreline.
Buttermere
- Start Point: The Bridge Inn
- Length: 4.5 miles
- This is one of the most scenic and enjoyable circuits of a lake to be found anywhere in the area, passing through forests right by the shoreline. Not a challenging walk, but a very beautiful one.
- Park just up the road from Buttermere. and walk down past the Bridge Inn to the lake where the route starts.