Charlie took Christine here for their first date in Cumbria & it has really special memories for us. The National Trust Aira Force Waterfall is delightful rain or shine and all times of the year. You can even take a stroller up the first section or extend out up and over Gowbarrow Fell for a more challenging hike and fabulous views over Ullswater. We have set out three routes starting at the National Trust car park at the base of the fells & finishing back there. We also recommend going straight to the welcoming tea shop just off the car park after your hike. We show this walk on all of the three pages since there are routes of different duration depending on preference.
A run or gentle walk from Blencowe just under four miles – head out from Blencowe Hall, left into the village, over the stone bridge crossing the Petterill and on through the village to the farm on the rhs then watch carefully for the public footpath sign which leads you onto a bridleway through the fields (with a great view back over Blencowe Hall) and then on to Greystoke and around back via the quiet country road joining Greystoke and Blencowe.
Heading to Gamblesby – View route online (5 miles). This route is also attached below as a PDF – this is a super 5 mile route and one we often run in the morning leading from the hamlet of Glassonby to Gamblesby and back via “School House Corner.” Great views up onto the Pennines from here. Dale Raven taking in Lacey’s Caves, Long Meg and her daughters – download map. This is a lovely 5.5 circular walk which will take a few hours from the village of Glassonby down to the Eden River, along past Lacy’s Caves and around through the Long Meg stone circle and back. Not much change of elevation & relaxing. There is also a pdf attachment of this route below.
Melmerby to Gamblesby – 3.6 miles, mostly on the level. An excellent circular walk or run from Melmerby up the bridleway to Gamblesby and back along the quiet lane leading from Gamblesby back to Melmerby (3.6 miles).
Melmerby to Ousby – 4.5 miles, on quiet lanes, some small hills. We often run this route in the morning – just the right length before breakfast and along the country lane leading from Melmerby to Ousby, a loop up onto the fellside and back to Melmerby again.