Six Walks to do from Penrith

Despite Penrith being on the outskirts of the Lake District, many hikers still use the market town as a base for nearby walks in the lakes, the Eden Valley and the North Pennines. A lot of routes do require a car to reach the starting point, however Penrith has a reliable bus and train service to reach surrounding areas. Here are six walks to enjoy nearby Penrith…

  • Penrith Beacon Walk

Distance: 3km Time: 1 hour Difficulty: Easy

A picturesque route from the centre of Penrith leads up to Fell Lane and follows a wooded path to the summit of Beacon Hill (286m).  The summit provides stunning views over the Eden Valley, Pennines and Lake District fells; on a really clear day, the mountains of Scotland can be seen across the Solway Firth to the north. A brass dial at the top of the hill donated by the Lions Club of Penrith indicates the mountains and places you can see from the viewpoint.

  • Rotary Club Explore Penrith self-guided tour

A walking trail designed by the Rotary Club of Penrith, this route takes in many of the streets and buildings which make up the rich heritage of the market town. The route can be picked up from information signs around the town with scan-able QR codes bringing up a mobile map. The walk has 9 stages including Penrith Museum, Thacka Beck and Town Hall, Coronation Garden, Methodist Church and Christ Church, Congregational Church, Musgrave Hall, Middelgate and Little Dockray, Cornmarket and Great Dockray, Market Square and Devonshire Street, St Andrews Churchyard, Friargate and Sandgate, Burrowgate and Middlegate. This route is an ideal way to explore the main sections of Penrith within a few hours by foot!

  • Glenamara Park 

Distance: 3km Time: 1 hour Difficulty: Easy

A short, easy walk through Glenamara Park, an ancient deer park with stunning views down to Ullswater Lake, is an ideal route for all the family. The valley park is situated at the foot of the lake near Patterdale around 30 minutes drive from Penrith and is enclosed by surrounding fells Birks and Arnison Crag. This easy hike starts from the Patterdale Hotel following a woodland path to Glenamara Park continuing on a footpath crossing over Hag Beck, taking in views down the lake towards Glencoyne Park and Gowbarrow before returning in a circle via the A592 road.

  • Aira Force and Gowbarrow Trail  

Distance: 7.2km Time: 3 hours Difficulty: Medium

A route on footpaths developed by the Victorians, the hike to Aira Force and Gowbarrow Fell begins at the Aira Force National Trust car park around 20 minutes away from Penrith. Follow the waterfall path from the car park passing through the arboretum towards the viewing platform at the base of Aira Force. Continue over the bridge where a steep climb will lead you to the upper bridge passing over the waterfall. Rejoin the main path and find a gap in the wall that takes you into open farmland. Head right up the field until you see the path leading to the summit of Gowbarrow. Views open up of the surrounding fells with Place Fell and Red Screes to the south and the silhouette of Helvellyn beyond. Return via a woodland path passing by Memorial Seat and Lyluph’s Tower back to the car park.

  • Brougham and Eamont Bridge Trail 

Distance: 6km Time: 3 hours Difficulty: Medium

An exciting walk taking in two rivers, a Roman fort, a castle, a manor house and two ancient henges. Parking is available at the start of the route on the lay-by just of the A66 east of Brougham Castle Bridge. The 6km route starts at Countess’s Pillar; a pillar erected in 1656 by Lady Anne Clifford, who owned Brougham Castle at the time.  The route then continues on to the 14th century Brougham Hall and visits Brocavum Roman Fort before reaching the impressive Eamont Bridge and eventually finishing at Brougham Castle ruins, passing the River Eamont and the River Lowther along the way.

  • The Ullswater Way 

Distance: 32km Time: 8-12 hours Difficulty: Hard

If you’re feeling adventurous and up for a challenge, why not give the Ullswater Way a go? The route is a 20-mile hike around Ullswater lake and can be walked in either direction from any starting point around the water! From Penrith, one of the closest starting points is Pooley Bridge. You can choose to do the whole 20 miles, or pick shorter sections out along the way using the Ullswater Steamers or buses. Some shorter sections include the 6.5-mile hike from Pooley Bridge to Aira Force or the 3-mile hike from Aira Force to Glenridding. The route is way marked with the Ullswater Way daffodil logo around points on the lake, so it’s easy to know if you’re on the footpath. If you do walk the whole route, celebrate by collecting a ‘I’ve walked the Ullswater Way’ pin badge from businesses around the lakeside including Glenridding Tourist Information Centre or the Ullswater Steamers Pier House.