Binsey from Binsey Lodge
Cumbria
Binsey is the most northerly of Wainwright's fells, a rounded hill of grass and heather that stands on its own at the northern edge of the Lake District, detached from the Skiddaw massif. The wide grass path has no stiles, and a dog with good recall can range across the open hillside on the way up. Wainwright called it a viewpoint of outstanding merit, and on a clear day the view runs from the Northern Fells round to the coastal plain, across the Solway Firth to the hills of Scotland, and as far as the Isle of Man. The summit carries an ancient tumulus whose stones have been rebuilt into several small circular wind shelters, with a modern cairn and a trig point beside them. This 3km out and back walk starts from the small roadside parking by Binsey Lodge and follows a wide grass path that zigzags gently up the south-eastern slope to the top, returning the same way. There is around 190 metres of climbing on easy grass.
This is a dog friendly walk that suits almost any dog, with soft grass underfoot, no stiles and an open hillside where a dog with good recall can have some freedom. Binsey is open fell, so sheep may be grazing, and ground-nesting birds use the heather in spring and early summer, so be ready to put the lead on. There is no water on the route and no shade, so carry a drink for your dog. Parking is limited to a couple of cars, and there are no facilities.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.0 km (1.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 5 min
- Walk Type
- Peak, Moorland
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on route or at the parking; pubs and cafes in the surrounding villages and in Keswick.
- Parking
- Small free roadside parking by Binsey Lodge, room for a couple of cars.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Binsey from Binsey Lodge, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in CumbriaFrequently Asked Questions
Is Binsey from Binsey Lodge dog friendly?
Yes, Binsey from Binsey Lodge scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The climb is short, the grass path is kind on paws, there are no stiles and the summit view is out of all proportion to the effort. The score reflects the lack of water and shade, the chance of sheep on the open fell and the tiny parking area.
Can dogs be off lead at Binsey from Binsey Lodge?
There is moderate off-lead potential on the open grass and heather, for a dog with reliable recall, as the path is wide and you can see a long way. Sheep may be grazing Binsey, and ground-nesting birds breed on the fell in spring and early summer, so keep a lead handy and use it whenever stock is in sight or during the nesting season.
What should I know before visiting Binsey from Binsey Lodge with my dog?
There is no water anywhere on the route, so carry some for your dog, and there is no shade on the fell. Roadside parking by Binsey Lodge takes only a couple of cars, so arrive early or have a back-up plan. The path is easy grass with no bog, which makes this a good short fell for older dogs. There are no toilets or cafes nearby.
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