Walking in the Western Lake District

You've gazed at them, now get out on them! Fell-walkers will relish the chance to follow in Wainwright's footsteps on Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Red Pike and the Pillar - to name but a few.

Of course the Western Lake District offers some of the country's best terrain for easier walking too. Stroll around Buttermere, take to the forest in Ennerdale or spend a few lazy hours combing our unspoilt beaches.

The stretch of cliff-path between St Bees and the historic port of Whitehaven is full of hidden gems of history and wildlife, which often surprise first-time visitors.

The red sandstone cliffs are the tallest sea cliffs between southern Scotland and North Wales.  There are secluded shingle beaches, good for smugglers (or picnics), and viewing platforms look out over the RSPB reserves’ nesting sites on the cliffs.  These are crowded with guillemots in spring and you might even glimpse a few pairs of nesting puffins.  Farmland birds are also on the increase, thanks to work between Natural England and local farmers.

Remnants of the area’s rich industrial past now provide wildlife havens towards Whitehaven.  Crumbling ruins of alabaster mines and England’s first under-sea coal mine are squeezed between the cliffs and the sea.  Towards the town’s historic harbour the National Trust are improving paths and encouraging wildflowers to regenerate. 

Words engraved in sandstone at Whitehaven sum it up “beautiful…we’ve got the sea on one side and mountains the other.  You couldn’t really wish for anything better.”

For more details please visit www.whitehavencoast.org.uk

Walking in and around Egremont

To order copies of maps for walks around the village of Egremont, please contact Egremont TIC or click on the links below to download pdf versions of the maps.

Egremont Town Walk
Grange & Haile Circular Walk
Carletonmoor Circular Walk or Cycle
Black Bridge Circular Walk
Bigrigg Circular Walk
Riverside Walk to Low Mill

Useful Links on Walking in the Lake District:

Wainwright Society - The Wainwright Society aims to keep alive the things which Alfred Wainwright promoted through his guidebooks and publications.

Fix the Fells - A number of organisations are working to Fix the Fells. Check out the projects and see how you can help.