Black Combe from Whicham
Cumbria
Black Combe rises to 600 metres in the far south-west corner of the Lake District National Park, just four miles from the Irish Sea and some ten miles from any higher ground. Sheep graze the open fell throughout, so this steady climb suits a fit dog on a lead rather than one running free. That isolation gives it one of the widest views in England: Wordsworth wrote of the amplest range of unobstructed prospect that British ground commands, and on a clear day the view takes in the Isle of Man, the hills of Wales and Scotland, Blackpool Tower and the Scafell fells. This 8km out and back walk starts from the parking area off the A5093 at Whicham near Silecroft, climbs through the hamlet on good paths and up the steep grassy flank past Townend Knotts to the broad summit, and returns the same way. There is around 560 metres of climbing, on a clear path over grass and heather.
This is a dog friendly walk for fit dogs, with soft going underfoot and no scrambling, but it is open fell grazed by sheep, so plan on a lead for most of the way, especially in lambing season and during the ground-nesting bird season in spring. There is no shade and little water once you leave the valley, so carry plenty for your dog. Keep dogs close on the summit in mist, when the corrie edge on the eastern side is hard to see. The Miners Arms in Silecroft is dog friendly, with a log fire and beer garden.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 3 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Peak, Moorland, Coastal
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- None on route; the Miners Arms in Silecroft is dog friendly. Silecroft beach and station nearby.
- Parking
- Small parking area off the A5093 at Whicham, near Silecroft; free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Black Combe from Whicham, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in CumbriaFrequently Asked Questions
Is Black Combe from Whicham dog friendly?
Black Combe from Whicham is a good option for fit, well-behaved dogs and earns a 7 out of 10 on our dog-friendly rating. The going underfoot is soft grass and heather with no scrambling, making it a comfortable climb physically. After your walk, the Miners Arms in Silecroft is dog friendly and has a log fire and beer garden — a well-earned stop.
Can dogs be off lead at Black Combe from Whicham?
This is open fell grazed by sheep throughout, so you should plan to keep your dog on a lead for most of the route. This is especially important during lambing season and in spring when ground-nesting birds are active. Near the summit, keeping dogs close on a lead is also wise in misty conditions, as the corrie edge on the eastern side can be difficult to spot.
What should I know before visiting Black Combe from Whicham with my dog?
The main things to plan for are water and lead management — there is no shade and little water once you leave the valley, so carry plenty for your dog on this 8km, 560-metre climb. Sheep are present across the open fell, so a lead is essential for most of the walk. Parking is free at the small parking area off the A5093 at Whicham, and there are no facilities on the route itself, though Silecroft beach and station are nearby if you want to extend the day.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Beach1.1 mi awaySilecroft Beach
Cumbria
A quiet sand and shingle beach below Black Combe with year-round access and dramatic views of the Lakeland fells from the shoreline.
Beach3.1 mi awayHaverigg Beach
Cumbria
A quiet sandy beach at the southern edge of the Lake District coast with year-round access and views across the Duddon Estuary.
Attraction8.6 mi awayFurness Abbey
Cumbria
Red sandstone ruins of England's second richest Cistercian abbey, in a sheltered wooded valley that gives your dog level, shaded, enclosed going.
Beach11.2 mi awayDrigg Beach
Cumbria
A remote Cumbrian coast beach with the Ravenglass dune system and year-round access, one of the largest sand dune systems in England.
Beach11.4 mi awayBeckfoot Beach
Cumbria
A remote, wild Cumbrian coast sandy beach south of the Solway with year-round dog access, very few visitors and an open, windswept character typical of the west Cumbrian coast.
Walk11.5 mi awayBirkrigg Common and the Druid's Circle from Bardsea
Cumbria
Grassy paths give a dog room to roam this open limestone common above Morecambe Bay, past a Bronze Age stone circle near Ulverston.