15 May 2018
In celebration of National Walking Month we’re handing over to Lake District National Park staff to tell us all about recent projects and new or improved routes that are being worked on to ensure Lake District walkers can continue to enjoy this beautiful landscape all year round.
This week we’re hearing from Area Ranger for the south of the park, Sara Spicer, who, as part of the Rusland Horizon scheme, is working on the Greenwood Trails project. This is a great community project which invites people to explore the natural and cultural heritage of the Rusland Valley sustainably, through a series of self-guided trails.
This month, the second of six total trails has opened to the public, with the third already being worked on ready for the summer. Here Sara talks more about this brand new self-guided trail which is now open for walkers to explore, just in time for National Walking Month!
Do you fancy going for a walk along the woodland paths and surrounding fields of Haverthwaite Heights? If so, the new Greenwood Trail walk that we’ve developed is just for you!
As part of the Rusland Horizons project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, we have been working with apprentices and local landowners to improve the rights of way within Rusland Valley. This has involved installing new gates in place of stiles, new fingerposts and creating a new section of footpath.
In total six new trails will be open to the public, using existing rights of way and quiet lanes in the area and will start from existing visitor attractions or car parks, and this is the second to be completed so far.
This route starts from the old road at Haverthwaite (Lane Ends) and you can either take the longer route over to Abbots Reading Farm (approximately 1.5-2hrs) or alternatively you can take the shorter route, exploring additional paths leading from the route in Haverthwaite Heights.
To make sure these trails are accessible and enjoyable for walkers we have worked with the local community to design self-guided-walk leaflets which are produced on waterproof paper and highlights things to look out for along the way, such as local attractions and trees, birds and wildlife that can be seen in the area. You can use the leaflet to follow the specially designed Greenwood Trails way-markers which have been designed by local school children.
This is a fantastic time of year to explore the walk as the bluebells are looking lovely so be sure to add it to your list for National Walking Month. You can even make a day of it with a visit to the Haverthwaite and Lakeside railway too!
You can collect your self-guided-walk leaflet from our Southern Office in Haverthwaite, or a number of attractions within the Rusland area such as the Haverthwaite and Lakeside railway, Lakeland Motor Museum, Whitewater Hotel and Old Hall Farm. To find out more about the Greenwood Trails visit the Rusland Horizons website.
Area Ranger (South)
Lake District National Park
