Kentmere Horseshoe Circular Walk
Cumbria
The Kentmere Horseshoe is one of the finest long ridge walks in the eastern Lakes, crossing eight tops around the head of the Kent valley. From the church at Kentmere village the path climbs Yoke, then traces the shapely summits of Ill Bell and Froswick before meeting the Roman road on High Street, crossing Mardale Ill Bell and dropping over Harter Fell and Kentmere Pike to close the loop. It is a dog friendly route for strong hill dogs, with big skies, quiet ground, and working sheep farms either side.
Parking in Kentmere is tight: the church offers limited space with an honesty box, and occasionally a local farmer opens a field for overflow. Herdwick and Rough Fell sheep graze every fell and valley field, with cows often on the lower lanes, so dogs must be on a short lead throughout. The terrain is a mix of stony farm track, pitched stone path and easy grass ridge, around 20km with 1100m of ascent. There are no facilities in Kentmere, so bring water and food; the Kentmere Valley Tearoom at the village hall is sometimes open in summer.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 20.0 km (12.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 7 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Peak, Moorland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- None
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Very limited: seasonal tearoom at the village hall; nothing else on the route.
- Parking
- Honesty box parking at Kentmere church; very limited so arrive early, farmer's field sometimes open.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kentmere Horseshoe Circular Walk dog friendly?
The Kentmere Horseshoe is dog friendly, though it earns a rating of 6.5 out of 10 — reflecting that it suits strong, fit hill dogs rather than all dogs. The route offers big skies and quiet, open ridges, but the demanding terrain, significant livestock presence, and lack of facilities along the way mean it's best suited to experienced hill walkers with confident, well-trained dogs.
Can dogs be off lead at Kentmere Horseshoe Circular Walk?
Dogs need to be kept on a short lead throughout this walk. Herdwick and Rough Fell sheep graze across every fell and valley field, and cows are often present on the lower lanes, so there's really no safe opportunity to let dogs run free at any point on the circuit.
What should I know before visiting Kentmere Horseshoe Circular Walk with my dog?
This is a serious day out — around 20km with 1,100m of ascent over eight summits, so your dog needs to be fit and used to rough, stony terrain. Parking at Kentmere is very limited (honesty box at the church, with a farmer's field sometimes open for overflow), so arriving early is wise. There are no facilities on the route itself, and the village tearoom at the hall only opens occasionally in summer, so bring everything you and your dog need for the day.
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