Best walks from Penrith (North Lakes)

Penrith (North Lakes) Station to Appleby Station

Tough: 23km. Moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Penrith (North Lakes) Station to Lazonby and Kirkoswald Station

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.

18km.

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.

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

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route