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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 Outdoor Mobility. If you’re not an existing member, you can easily sign up online at www.outdoormobility.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.outdoormobility.org/ to learn more.
Tramper trail – find more information on the tramper trail at Grizedale Forest 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.
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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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