Walks from Lazonby and Kirkoswald

Beautiful forest views and rock sculptures; Lovely very varied route. A long, varied route through woods, fields, riverside and forest tracks, with some road walking. Parts are a bit up and down, after heavy rain there can be a fair amount of mud, plus some difficult steps over tree roots near Armathwaite. Some fast sections of road between Cotehill and Cumwhinton and the motorway junction. Coombs Wood near Armathwaite is a highlight, with rock sculptures. The route can be tackled over two weekends, breaking at Armathwaite, with good facilities at either end and several points on the way.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 7h30–14h30

Lunch: Pubs at Armathwaite, Cotehill and Cumwhinton along the way.

Warnings: Some fast road sections between Cotehill, Cumwhinton and the M6 junction. Difficult steps over tree roots on the exit from Coombs Wood into Armathwaite. The riverside path along the River Petteril may flood in high rainfall. Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Leaves Penrith on well-trodden woodland paths over Beacon Hill (not rights of way but well used), then a fairly level track to a road. Quiet, undulating, peaceful lanes with good views, a short busier stretch on the A686, then quiet roads and a narrow woodland track and riverside fields beside the River Eden. Passes Long Meg and her Daughters, a spectacular ancient stone circle (with docile cows), and the Beacon Tower viewpoint is a short diversion. Langwathby, near the midpoint, has a pub, café, shop, buses and a station on the Settle-Carlisle line.

Hilly: a quarter on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 5h–9h30

Lunch: Langwathby, near the midpoint, has a pub with food, an outdoor café on the green and a convenience store.

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk. One point on the route off Beacon Hill has been blocked off by a wall and barbed wire with private signage; access is difficult. The A686 stretch is busy for about half a mile (good verge and a separated section on the bridge). Motocross bikes have churned up the narrow woodland track near the stone circle, making it muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.