Beckmickle Ing Walk (easy) - 4.25 miles taking just under 2 hours
Starting in Staveley this walk in the south Lakes takes in a wooded area on the East Bank of the River Kent and can be extended to include Burneside or Kendal. Beckmickle Ing has it all, a rich mix of broadleaves and a diverse range of flora. Very much at home here are roe deer and red squirrels and you may spot them walking along one of the many pretty paths amongst blue bells (in spring), bird song and a preserved natural beauty hard to find.
Moss & Height Spring Wood walk (easy) - 5.5 miles taking 2-3 hours
Starting at the woodland entrance on the coffin road this walk is in a lush wood lying within the beautiful Rusland Valley with spectacular views of the fells beyond. The 48 acre ancient woodland is approximately 350 years old and the wide track that dissects it is thought to be a former coffin route used by the villagers of Bouth to reach the nearby church at Colton.
Grizedale Forest
between lakes Coniston and Windermere, offers Nordic Walking throughout the year as well as varied hiking. There are eight marked colour trails to choose from ranging from easy to strenuous, the shortest takes 45 mins (1 mile) and the longest approximately 5 hours (10 miles). You can be walking along forest tracks, bridleways or footpaths and stop off at many of the viewpoints. The Grizedale Visitor Centre has all the information, maps of the routes and two of the walks start from here, the other six walks start from car parks or the Yan, a dynamic new building hidden in the forest.
Whinlatter Forest (easy to strenuous)
Miles of surfaced paths and tracks plus stunning views across Bassenthwaite Lake, Dewentwater and Keswick. With 9 marked trails to choose from you will be spoilt for choice, the shortest walk is just over 1 mile and will take approximately 1 hour and the longest is 5 miles and takes approximately 3-4 hours. There is access to Grizedale Pike from various points in the forest which is a strenuous 4 hour walk but well worth the effort with stunning views to enjoy. The visitor information centre has all the information you need including maps of all the walks and a café!
Crag Wood, Meathop (easy)
A short walk which includes the flower rich nature reserve of Latterbarrow. This is an ancient woodland area located on the edge of Morecambe Bay estuary. You can gain access from the Cumbria Coastal Way running along the shoreline on the eastern boundary. Don’t miss the bench with wonderful views across the bay to Arnside and Silverdale. The wood is particularly colourful in spring time with native bluebells.
Great Knott Wood (easy to moderate)
Very accessible at the foot of Lake Windermere, a stunning ancient woodland with a fascinating history and home to the red squirrel and you may spot roe and red deer and woodpeckers. Two access points open up an extensive network of paths and circular walks passing through the villages of Lakeside and Finsthwaite, or you can begin and end here. The paths can be steep and stony and sometimes muddy in winter, you can follow two routes waymarked by the Lake District NP or use the map available from the local tourist information centre to follow the popular geocache trail.
