Grizedale Forest Walking Trails

About

Whatever your ability level, Grizedale is a fantastic place to get on the trail and enjoy the fresh Lake District air. Create your own adventure or follow one of our clearly marked routes, with a wide range of distances and difficulty levels there’s something for you. Whichever route you explore you’re in for a treat – discover our forest sculptures hidden within the trees or climb to Carron Crag, the highest point in the forest, for spectacular 360 degree views.

Read on for details on waymarked routes or download the full trail map here.

 

Tramper hire at Grizedale

For those who are less mobile we also have a Tramper for hire to take into the forest on the specially designed route.

To hire, users need to be members of Lake District Mobility. If you’re not an existing member, you can easily sign up online at https://www.lakedistrictmobility.org. An annual membership costs £10 or a taster membership that lasts for two weeks costs £2.50.

All new members will be provided with an induction on how to use the Tramper and existing users will be offered a quick refresher.

Prebooking is recommended, visit www.lakedistrictmobility.org to learn more.

Tramper trail – Due to storm damage the Tramper trail is currently not accessible. Please find the latest information on the Grizedale Forest website HERE.

 

Walking trails

Starting from the Visitor Centre

 

Carron Crag

Steep circular walk with panoramic views

Hard difficulty, 5km

Climbing to Carron Crag, the highest point in Grizedale at 314 metres, this circular trail offers stunning panoramic views to the Lakeland Fells, the Howgills and Morecambe Bay.

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Millwood trail

Explore the heart of Grizedale

Short loop: Easy difficulty, 1km

Long loop: Moderate difficulty, 2.5km

An introduction to the forest, taking you through some of the oldest trees in Grizedale and under the Go Ape course. You will also discover some of Grizedale's famous sculpture collection.

The longer loop is a moderate walk with a short section of climb, which offers scenic views of the Grizedale Valley whilst the shorter, low-level route offers a shaded walk along the stream on the valley bottom.

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Ridding Wood trail

Easy woodland walk

Easy access difficulty, 1.5km

This accessible trail offers a great introduction to the forest and its sculptures. Passing through beautiful oak woodland as well as some unusual and ornate trees, it’s ideal to bring the whole family closer to nature.

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Silurian Way trail

A picturesque Lake District hike

Hard difficulty, 16km

The ultimate walk, this trail takes you down one side of the Grizedale valley and back up the other, passing many of the sculptures along the way, as well as some of the best views in the forest. It includes the summit of Carron Crag, the highest point in the forest.

This trail is named after the geological time period in which the forests characteristic grey slate and shale rocks were formed.

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Grizedale Tarn Trail

A scenic lake walk

Moderate difficulty, 6.5km

Following the old County Road as it climbs eastwards out of the valley, this walk takes you to Grizedale's only natural tarn (mountain lake).

This popular walk takes in many sculptures along the way, including The Clockwork Forest, Concrete Country and Some Fern.

 

Starting from Bogle Crag car park

Bogle Crag trail

Woodland walk with sculptures

Moderate difficulty, short loop 4km, long loop 5km

Look out for the ancient beech trees and some of our most famous sculptures, including Andy Goldsworthy's 'Taking a wall for a walk'.

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Starting from Blind Lane car park

High Bowkerstead trail

Steep walk with a view

Hard difficulty, 5km

This trail takes you on a steep climb to a spectacular viewpoint, before the descent leads into the beautiful and quiet valley of Dale Park.

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Starting from Machell’s Coppice car park

Machell's Coppice trail

An historic lake walk

Hard difficulty, 2.5km

Spend some time in the landscape that inspired Arthur Ransome's main characters in Swallows and Amazons, while on holiday in the Lake District the four friends explored the woodlands and foreshore surrounding Coniston Water.

This short steep walk rewards with views over Coniston, famous not only for its views but also as home to Donald Campbell’s famous Bluebird water speed record.

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