Smardale Nature Reserve

Penrith Group Sunshine

We are the Penrith Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
exclusive discounts from our partners
knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking

Overview

The walk goes along and back on a disused railway line to Waitby Greenriggs. Almost all of it will be easy going on a grassy path formed on the railway line but occasionally the walk has to deviate off the embankment. The final descent at Waitby Greenriggs is steep but optional.

Wednesday, 11 June 2025

Meeting time:: 9:45 am
Start time:: 10:30 am
Estimated finish time:: 2:30 pm

Difficulty:: Leisurely
Distance:: 6.4km / 4.0mi
Ascent:: 30.5m / 100ft
Type:: linear

The nature reserve is renowned for butterflies and at the right time of year (I hope I have this right!) wildflowers, particularly orchids. One of the cuttings exposes interesting geological features. I am no expert, so please bring your knowledge and/or reference books or recognition apps.

If the weather is amenable we will spend time admiring the butterflies, flowers and geology.

www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk

Features

Car parking available
Car sharing available
Dog friendly
No Stiles

Meeting point

Grid reference:: NY 52664 29468
Nearest postcode:: CA10 2AL
what3words:: lovely.curl.swooned

Meeting time:: 9:45 am

Penrith Rugby Club Car Park

Starting point

Grid reference:: NY 74200 08301
Nearest postcode:: CA17 4HG
what3words:: cases.cone.artichoke

Start time:: 10:30 am

Smardale Nature Reserve Car Park. Do not use the postcode (automatically generated); travel directions are available on cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk

Finishing point

Grid reference:: NY 74200 08301
Nearest postcode:: CA17 4HG
what3words:: cases.cone.artichoke

Estimated finish time:: 2:30 pm

Upcoming walks with Penrith Group Sunshine

Dufton Pike and Dufton Ghyll Woods

Start:

Difficulty:: Moderate

Distance:: 7.5 miles

High Cup Nick circular from Dufton

Start:

Difficulty:: Moderate

Distance:: 10.6 miles

Buttermere high level round

Start:

Difficulty:: Strenuous

Distance:: 12.0 miles

Thursday Evening Walks - Greystoke Loop

Start:

Difficulty:: Leisurely

Distance:: 5.3 miles

Newbiggin on Lune, Crosby Garrett and Smardale

Start:

Difficulty:: Moderate

Distance:: 9.0 miles

A stile free walk around Orton and the Scarecrows

Start:

Difficulty:: Easy

Distance:: 4.0 miles

The Other Borrowdale With a Few Hills

Start:

Difficulty:: Moderate

Distance:: 9.6 miles

Robinhood's Grave from Orton

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Difficulty:: Leisurely

Distance:: 7.5 miles

Easedale escapade

Start:

Difficulty:: Strenuous

Distance:: 11.5 miles

Thursday Evening Walks- Glenridding.

Start:

Difficulty:: Leisurely

Distance:: 4.8 miles

Looking towards the Coronation tree above Crosby Ravensworth

Crosby Ravensworth Fell, Iron Hill and Maulds Meaburn

Start:

Difficulty:: Moderate

Distance:: 9.0 miles

Bob Graham Round Leg 3

Start:

Difficulty:: Strenuous

Distance:: 17.0 miles

Holme Fell and Black Fell (THIS WALK IS NOW BOOKED TO CAPACITY)

Start:

Difficulty:: Moderate

Distance:: 6.8 miles

High Pike

Start:

Difficulty:: Moderate

Distance:: 5.5 miles

Gowbarrow

Start:

Difficulty:: Moderate

Distance:: 4.0 miles

Barbon Low Fell

Start:

Difficulty:: Moderate

Distance:: 8.6 miles

Bob Graham Round Leg 3 - Contingency day

Start:

Difficulty:: Strenuous

Distance:: 1.0 miles

Smardale Nature Reserve

Start:

Difficulty:: Leisurely

Distance:: 4.0 miles

Mardale Head to Swindale Head via Branstree and Selside

Start:

Difficulty:: Moderate

Distance:: 9.0 miles

Newlands horseshoe redux

Start:

Difficulty:: Strenuous

Distance:: 11.0 miles

Dufton village and Dufton Ghyll Wood

Start:

Difficulty:: Leisurely

Distance:: 3.2 miles

Raven Beck and Kirkoswald from Renwick

Start:

Difficulty:: Moderate

Distance:: 10.0 miles

Troutbeck Tongue

Start:

Difficulty:: Moderate

Distance:: 7.3 miles

The Howgills: Along the tops to the Calf

Start:

Difficulty:: Strenuous

Distance:: 10.0 miles

High Stile High Jinks

Start:

Difficulty:: Strenuous

Distance:: 12.0 miles

Thursday Evening Walks -Thelkeld.

Start:

Difficulty:: Leisurely

Distance:: 5.5 miles

Thursday Evening Walks - Knipe Scar

Start:

Difficulty:: Leisurely

Distance:: 4.5 miles

Inspection of Troutdale Pinnacle and Exploration of Grange Fell

Start:

Difficulty:: Strenuous

Distance:: 14.0 miles

Evening walk: The Charles Gough Path

Start:

Difficulty:: Easy

Distance:: 4.5 miles

Bob Graham Round Leg 4

Start:

Difficulty:: Strenuous

Distance:: 12.0 miles

Around Kirkby Stephen

Start:

Difficulty:: Easy

Distance:: 4.5 miles

Orton Circular Walk

Start:

Difficulty:: Leisurely

Distance:: 4.0 miles

Thursday Evening Walk - Around Dufton Pike

Start:

Difficulty:: Leisurely

Distance:: 4.3 miles

Bob Graham Round Leg 5

Start:

Difficulty:: Strenuous

Distance:: 12.0 miles

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
exclusive discounts from our partners
knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking

Join now for just £3.58 per month