The River Eamont and Eden Valley near Penrith with the Lakeland fells beyond, Lake District
Eden Valley gateway · riverside & heritage walks

Penrith Walks

The gateway to the Eden Valley — riverside paths, ancient stone circles and red-sandstone caves rather than high fells, with Ullswater just down the road. Many of these walks let you leave the car: start from the station, finish at a village pub, catch the bus back.

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A hand-picked guide

The best walks around Penrith

Penrith is the gateway to the Eden Valley — a market town of riverside paths, ancient stone circles and red-sandstone caves rather than high fells, with Ullswater just down the road. Many of these walks let you leave the car behind: start from the train station, finish at a village pub, and catch the bus back. This is a hand-picked guide to genuine local walks, with distance, transport, pubs and dog-friendly info for each. Lead off with the signed Eamont Way to Pooley Bridge, climb Penrith Beacon straight from town, then head out to Lacy's Caves and Long Meg, Coombs Wood at Armathwaite and Askham Fell above Ullswater. For the castles, henges and Long Meg as attractions, see the Penrith hub.

Showing all 7 walks.

Easy

Easy walks around Penrith

The signed Eamont Way from Penrith to Pooley Bridge along the River Eamont, Eden Valley, Lake District
An eel waymark on the Eamont Way trail to Pooley Bridge near Penrith, Eden Valley, Lake District

Penrith to Pooley Bridge — the Eamont Way

Leave the car · station to Ullswater, bus back

Easy

Distance

5.5 mi one-way

Time

2.5–3.5 hrs

Ascent

Mostly flat

Terrain

Valley paths (muddy when wet)

The signed 5.5-mile Eamont Way runs from Penrith Railway Station to Pooley Bridge on Ullswater, following the River Eamont valley past Brougham Castle. Opened in 2023 by the Friends of the Ullswater Way, it's waymarked with an eel logo — a nod to Pooley Bridge's 650-year medieval eel-fishing market. The whole point is to leave the car: start at the station, walk to the lake, have a beer, then catch the 508 bus back. Pooley Bridge is also one of the two main start points for the famous ~20-mile Ullswater Way circular — you can pick up the loop here. Mostly flat and gentle; muddy after rain, so boots help. Dog-friendly (on lead — sheep and one cattle field).

Leave the car. Walk one way from the station, then take the 508 Stagecoach bus back from Pooley Bridge — exactly how the trail is meant to be done.

Start: Penrith Railway Station — follow the eel-logo Eamont Way waymarks south past Brougham Castle to Pooley Bridge

Transport: No car needed — train/town start; 508 Stagecoach bus back from Pooley Bridge to Penrith station

Find it: Search "Penrith Railway Station" in Google Maps; follow the signed Eamont Way to Pooley Bridge

Nearest pub / refuel

Pooley Bridge pubs & eateries — post-walk pint or meal before the 508 bus. Cranston's Café is about 200m from Penrith station for a coffee at the start.

Dog-friendly (lead) Ullswater finish Bus back (508) Linear (one-way)
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The Ladies Walk along the River Eden at Edenhall near Penrith, Eden Valley, Lake District
Mature riverbank trees on the Ladies Walk at Edenhall near Penrith, Eden Valley, Lake District

Ladies Walk, Edenhall

Historic riverside · a local secret

Easy

Distance

~2 mi

Time

~1 hr

Ascent

Low

Terrain

Riverbank paths

A gentle, atmospheric riverside walk of about two miles along the River Eden at Edenhall, long favoured by the Musgrave family — the same family tied to the "Luck of Edenhall" legend, a medieval glass beaker whose safekeeping was said to protect the family's fortunes. Mature trees, quiet riverbank and Eden Valley calm; it's the kind of walk nobody covers properly, which is exactly its charm. Easy and dog-friendly, and a lovely short outing when you want river and history without a climb.

Start: Edenhall village, by the River Eden (exact start to confirm)

Parking: Edenhall village (to confirm)

Find it: Search "Edenhall, Penrith" in Google Maps

Nearest pub / refuel

Nearest pub: to confirm

Dog-friendly Riverside (River Eden) Musgrave history Not a fell
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The Beacon Pike monument on Beacon Hill above Penrith, Eden Valley, Lake District
The wooded climb to Penrith Beacon with Eden Valley and Lakeland fell views, Lake District

Penrith Beacon / Beacon Edge

The town's own hill · straight from the centre

Easy

Distance

2–3 mi circular

Time

~1.5 hrs

Ascent

Wooded climb

Terrain

Woodland & field paths

Penrith's own hill — a wooded climb from the town up to the Beacon Pike monument (built 1719) on Beacon Hill, with sweeping views over the Eden Valley and across to the Lakeland fells. It's a 2–3 mile circular straight from the town centre with no car needed, easy-to-moderate in effort and a brilliant evening or half-day leg-stretch. The beacon itself is a survivor of the old warning-fire network. Dog-friendly throughout. For Penrith Castle and the town's other heritage sites, see the Penrith hub.

Start: Penrith town centre — climb via Beacon Edge to the Beacon Pike monument

Parking: Penrith town-centre car parks (walk in — no car needed)

Find it: Search "Penrith Beacon" in Google Maps

Nearest pub / refuel

Penrith town-centre pubs & cafés — plenty of choice right at the finish in the market town.

Dog-friendly Eden Valley & fell views Circular 1719 beacon
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The wooded Dunmallard Hill hillfort across the bridge from Pooley Bridge, Ullswater, Lake District
An Ullswater glimpse from the woodland loop on Dunmallard Hill near Pooley Bridge, Penrith, Lake District

Dunmallard Hill

Wooded hillfort · pairs with Pooley Bridge

Easy

Distance

~1–1.5 mi loop

Time

~45 min

Ascent

Low (conical hill)

Terrain

Woodland loop

The wooded, conical Iron Age hillfort just across the bridge from Pooley Bridge — a short, easy woodland loop with glimpses of Ullswater through the trees. It's the perfect little add-on to a Pooley Bridge visit or the end of the Eamont Way, and ideal for families and dogs who want a quiet leg-stretch with a touch of ancient history. Easy throughout and quickly done, so you can pair it with a lakeside lunch or a Steamer trip.

Start: Across the bridge from Pooley Bridge village, west bank of the River Eamont

Parking: Pooley Bridge village car parks

Find it: Search "Dunmallard Hill, Pooley Bridge" in Google Maps

Nearest pub / refuel

Pooley Bridge pubs & eateries — a few steps back across the bridge in the village.

Dog-friendly Ullswater glimpses Short loop Iron Age hillfort
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Moderate

Moderate walks around Penrith

Lacy's Caves cut into the red-sandstone river cliff above the River Eden near Kirkoswald, Eden Valley, Lake District
The Long Meg and Her Daughters stone circle near Kirkoswald and Penrith, Eden Valley, Lake District

Lacy's Caves & Long Meg

Red-sandstone river caves · a hidden gem

Moderate

Distance

4–5 mi

Time

2–3 hrs

Ascent

Moderate

Terrain

Riverside & field paths

A fascinating circular near Kirkoswald that takes in two genuine hidden gems. Lacy's Caves are five chambers cut into the red-sandstone river cliff above the Eden — an 18th-century folly carved for Colonel Lacy — and the route also passes Long Meg and Her Daughters, one of England's largest stone circles. About 4–5 miles of riverside and field paths through quiet Eden Valley country. A lovely red-sandstone companion to the slate caves elsewhere in the Lakes — see the Caves guide — and the Penrith hub for more on Long Meg as a monument. Free, no tickets, and dog-friendly.

Care at the caves. The chambers are open and atmospheric but sit on a river-cliff edge — take care near drops and on slippery ground when wet. Fine for a sensible visit.

Start: Kirkoswald, or Little Salkeld for the riverside approach to the caves

Parking: Kirkoswald village, or roadside near Little Salkeld / Long Meg

Find it: Search "Lacy's Caves, Little Salkeld" in Google Maps

Nearest pub / refuel

The Fetherston Arms, Kirkoswald (CA10 1DQ, on the Square) — home-made food, ales and dog-friendly.

Dog-friendly Red-sandstone caves Circular Long Meg stone circle
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The riverside woodland of Coombs Wood by the River Eden at Armathwaite, Eden Valley, Lake District
Red-sandstone river scenery on the Coombs Wood walk at Armathwaite near Penrith, Eden Valley, Lake District

Coombs Wood, Armathwaite

Riverside woodland · great for cyclists too

Easy–Mod

Distance

~4 mi

Time

~2 hrs

Ascent

Gentle

Terrain

Riverside woodland

An excellent, underused riverside woodland walk by the River Eden at Armathwaite — peaceful, with classic red-sandstone river scenery and a real sense of getting away from the crowds. Peter rates it highly and reckons it's as good for cyclists as Whinlatter, making it a fine cyclist-friendly Eden alternative as well as a walk — see the Cycling Routes guide. Easy-to-moderate and dog-friendly, it ends right by a riverside pub, which makes it one of the best simple "walk-and-a-pint" outings in the valley.

Start: Armathwaite village, by the River Eden (route start to confirm)

Parking: Armathwaite village (Armathwaite also has a railway station on the Settle–Carlisle line)

Find it: Search "Coombs Wood, Armathwaite" in Google Maps

Nearest pub / refuel

The Fox & Pheasant, Armathwaite — right at the foot of the walk by the river; food and ales.

Dog-friendly Riverside (River Eden) Circular Good for cyclists
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Panoramic Ullswater views from Askham Fell above Askham village near Penrith, Eden Valley, Lake District
Open common and ancient cairns on Askham Fell, part of the Ullswater Way Lowther Loop near Penrith, Lake District

Askham Fell

Ullswater views · the Lowther Loop

Moderate

Distance

4–7 mi (loop-dependent)

Time

2.5–3.5 hrs

Ascent

Fell-edge climb

Terrain

Open common, fell paths

A breezy fell-edge walk above the village of Askham, with panoramic views over Ullswater and far fewer people than the honeypot fells. It forms the Lowther Castle Loop of the Ullswater Way — a 7.5-mile version via Helton and Askham — across open common scattered with ancient cairns and standing stones. Distances range from about 4 to 7 miles depending on the loop you choose. Cross-link Lowther Castle on the Penrith hub, and the full Ullswater Way on the Glenridding page. Dog-friendly (lead near livestock).

Start: Askham village, climbing onto the fell common; loops via Helton

Parking: Askham village (roadside)

Find it: Search "Askham, Penrith" in Google Maps

Nearest pub / refuel

The Queen's Head or George & Dragon, Askham — two village pubs in Askham itself.

Dog-friendly (lead) Ullswater views Circular (Lowther Loop) Ancient cairns
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Difficult

High fells from Penrith

No high fells straight from Penrith — and that's fine

Penrith is gentle Eden Valley country: its strength is heritage, riverside and "leave the car, finish at a pub" walking, not mountain days. For the high fells, head down the road to Ullswater. Helvellyn — one of England's great mountains — is covered on the Glenridding walks page, at Ullswater's mountain end. The good news: it's reached by the same 508 bus that brings you back from Pooley Bridge, so you can do the big fells car-free from Penrith too.

Helvellyn & the Ullswater fells on the Glenridding page

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Keep exploring

More walks & nearby guides

Penrith opens onto Ullswater and the Eden Valley — the high fells at Glenridding, the red-sandstone caves, and the castles and stone circles on the hub.

Same 508 bus

Glenridding walks

The Ullswater Way and Helvellyn at the lake's mountain end.

Glenridding walks
Heritage

Things to do in Penrith

Lowther, Penrith & Brougham Castle, Long Meg and the henges.

Penrith hub
On the Lacy's walk

Caves guide

Lacy's Caves and the Lake District's other hidden caverns.

Caves guide
The full guide

All Lake District walks

Browse the best walks across the region by difficulty, type and area.

Lake District walks hub

Plan a car-free Penrith day around a walk

Free, no sign-up. Tell the planner which walk you fancy, your transport and the weather — it builds a timed day around it, with station starts, 508 bus times back and a pub at the finish sorted.

Open the free Lakes Planner

Common questions

Penrith walks, answered

What are the best walks around Penrith?
Penrith is the gateway to the Eden Valley, so its best walks are gentle, historic and riverside rather than high fells. The signed 5.5-mile Eamont Way from the station to Pooley Bridge is the standout, alongside Penrith Beacon straight from town, Lacy's Caves and Long Meg near Kirkoswald, Coombs Wood at Armathwaite and Askham Fell above Ullswater.
Can you walk from Penrith to Pooley Bridge?
Yes — the signed Eamont Way is a 5.5-mile waymarked route from Penrith Railway Station to Pooley Bridge on Ullswater, following the River Eamont past Brougham Castle. It's mostly flat and gentle (muddy after rain). The best way to do it is to leave the car: walk one way, have a pint at Pooley Bridge, and catch the 508 Stagecoach bus back to the station.
What are Lacy's Caves?
Lacy's Caves are five chambers cut into the red-sandstone river cliff above the River Eden near Kirkoswald — an 18th-century folly carved for Colonel Lacy. They're free to visit and atmospheric, but sit on a cliff edge, so take care near drops and on slippery ground when wet. They pair with the Long Meg and Her Daughters stone circle nearby on a 4–5 mile circular.
Where can you walk with views of Ullswater near Penrith?
Askham Fell gives panoramic views over Ullswater on a breezy fell-edge walk above Askham village, part of the Ullswater Way's Lowther Loop. Dunmallard Hill, the wooded hillfort across the bridge from Pooley Bridge, gives lake glimpses on a short, easy loop. Both are far quieter than the honeypot fells.
Are there riverside walks near Penrith?
Yes — the Eden Valley is full of them. The Ladies Walk at Edenhall follows the River Eden, Coombs Wood at Armathwaite is an excellent riverside woodland walk, and the Eamont Way follows the River Eamont valley to Pooley Bridge. All are gentle and dog-friendly.
Are there dog-friendly pub walks near Penrith?
Yes — Coombs Wood at Armathwaite finishes at the Fox & Pheasant right by the river, and the Lacy's Caves circular pairs with the Fetherston Arms on the Square at Kirkoswald. Both pubs are dog-friendly. Keep dogs on a lead near livestock on the fell-edge walks.
Can you do these walks without a car?
Yes — that's the theme here. The Eamont Way starts at Penrith station and the 508 bus brings you back from Pooley Bridge; Penrith Beacon is straight from the town centre. The same 508 bus continues to Glenridding for the Ullswater Way and Helvellyn, so you can reach the high fells car-free too.