Aira Force Glencoyne Farm trail
At more than 1,000 hectares and with a flock of over 1,500 hill sheep, Glencoyne is one of the largest tenanted hill farms in the Lake District. This circular trail has much to offer over its three miles. It passes through Glencoyne Farm's Grade II listed building and other artifacts of past industry, open fells, grazing livestock and rich woodland where red squirrels may be seen, all framed by photogenic views of Ullswater and surrounding hills.
Total steps: 6
Total steps: 6
Start point
Glencoyne car park, CA11 0QT, grid ref: NY386188
Step 1
From Glencoyne Bay car park, face the lake. You should see a footpath leading away from the right edge of the car park close to the wall. Follow the footpath, crossing the wooden bridge over Glencoyne Beck, and walk until you reach a gate. Turn right onto a long straight drive up to Glencoyne Farm.
Step 2
Follow the track to Glencoyne Farm. Keep to the left-hand side of the stone livestock sheds and bear left when you reach the front garden fence, following signage. Go through the gate on your left and up the steps, then continue straight up the slope, moving parallel to the beck.
Step 3
As the slope starts flattening out, you should see the Seldom Seen cottages and old schoolhouse ahead of you on your left and, beyond that, the small hydro powerhouse on your right. Follow the path as it takes you beneath the cottage gardens, past the hydro house and out onto the open fell.
Step 4
Once past the cottages, continue straight on as the ground rises for approximately 360 feet (110m), crossing a small stream. Then, turn left up a steep, grassy slope towards the wood. At the top of the slope, bear right as the path follows the dry stone wall until you come to the gate.
Step 5
Go though the gate and immediately go through a second gate on your left. Follow the path descending through the woodland until you come to the rear of the Seldom Seen cottages.
Step 6
Once past the cottages, follow the road track for half a mile (0.9km) until you reach the A592 road. Go straight across and through a gap in the low wall onto the footpath. Then, turn left and take the path down to the bottom of the hill. Cross over the road and rejoin the permitted footpath through Glencoyne Farm fields, crossing through two gates until you reach the point where you earlier turned off to Glencoyne Farm. Retrace your steps back to the car park where you began your walk.
End point
Glencoyne car park, CA11 0QT, grid ref: NY386188
Trail map
More near here
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Climb up to Hayeswater Reservoir from Hartsop village on a circular walk, following the beck and the history of the mills and mines it once served.
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