Grizedale Forest Red Squirrel Trail
Cumbria
Grizedale Forest, between Coniston Water and Windermere, is Forestry England's largest Lakeland forest and home to one of the country's biggest populations of red squirrels. The Red Squirrel Trail is a waymarked loop from the visitor centre, winding through the mature Larch and Scots pine where the squirrels are most often seen, past a handful of the forest's signature outdoor sculptures. It is a proper dog friendly walk, all on surfaced track, plenty of water and a friendly cafe at the end.
Park at the main Grizedale Forest visitor centre car park (pay on exit by ANPR, free under 20 minutes). Dogs must be kept under control throughout; red squirrels and ground-nesting birds live in the forest and the trail passes fenced sculpture areas. The path is wide gravel forest track with gentle gradients, easy enough for smaller dogs and older hounds. The visitor centre has a dog friendly cafe, shop, toilets and bike hire, and water bowls outside. The beck through the forest offers safe paddling on a warm day.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.5 km (2.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- Forest, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Dog friendly visitor centre cafe, shop, toilets, water bowls and bike hire.
- Parking
- Grizedale visitor centre pay-on-exit ANPR car park; free for stays under 20 minutes.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Grizedale Forest Red Squirrel Trail, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in CumbriaVisitor Reviews
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What’s Nearby?
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A dramatic fell circuit past a hidden tarn to a Coniston classic, a dog friendly mountain day for fit hill dogs.
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Gentle, accessible circuit with good water access and relaxed off-lead potential; leads needed near the car park and in busier sections.
4 mi awayPark Cliffe Camping & Caravan Estate
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A 25-acre dog friendly campsite overlooking Windermere with a dedicated dog friendly section in the on-site bar and restaurant, fittingly called Canine Corner.
Walk4.5 mi awayThe Old Man of Coniston
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A classic fell day with good off-lead potential on the upper mountain and a rewarding tarn stop on the descent; quarry terrain and sheep on lower approaches keep the score from going higher.