Kirkby Lonsdale: Devil's Bridge and Ruskin's View
Cumbria
Kirkby Lonsdale sits above a bend in the River Lune. Shingle banks along the bank give a dog somewhere to drink and paddle before the climb up to Ruskin's View. Devil's Bridge, a three-arched stone bridge dating from around 1370, is a Grade I listed Scheduled Monument named after the legend of a bargain struck with the Devil. From the churchyard of St Mary's, the view over the Lune was painted by J.M.W. Turner and called one of the loveliest views in England by John Ruskin, and it has been known as Ruskin's View ever since. This 2.6km loop starts from the car park opposite the bridge and follows the riverbank upstream past shingle banks and pastoral fields, climbs the Radical Steps, a flight of 86 steep paved steps built in 1819, to Ruskin's View and returns through the town. There is only around 35 metres of climbing.
This is a dog friendly walk, with the river alongside for much of the way and shingle banks where dogs can drink and paddle in the shallows. There is moderate off-lead potential on the riverbank for a dog with good recall, but the path gets very busy on sunny weekends, and the Lune is fast and deep in places, so keep dogs out of the main current. Keep dogs close on the Radical Steps, which are mossy and slippery, and on a lead through the town. A roadside cafe sits by Devil's Bridge, with pubs and cafes in Kirkby Lonsdale.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 2.6 km (1.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 55 min
- Walk Type
- River, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Roadside cafe by Devil's Bridge; pubs, cafes and toilets in Kirkby Lonsdale town centre.
- Parking
- Car park opposite Devil's Bridge on the A65 side of the river; busy at weekends.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Kirkby Lonsdale: Devil's Bridge and Ruskin's View, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Stable At Coppy House Farm
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,040 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in CumbriaFrequently Asked Questions
Is Kirkby Lonsdale: Devil's Bridge and Ruskin's View dog friendly?
This is a well-suited walk for dogs, earning a solid 8/10 for dog friendliness. The route follows the River Lune for much of the way, with shingle banks where dogs can drink and paddle in the shallows — a real highlight for water-loving pups. Food and drink options for their humans are close at hand too, with a cafe by Devil's Bridge and pubs and cafes in the town.
Can dogs be off lead at Kirkby Lonsdale: Devil's Bridge and Ruskin's View?
There is moderate off-lead potential along the riverbank for dogs with reliable recall, but a few things are worth bearing in mind. The Lune is fast and deep in places, so keep dogs out of the main current, and the path can get very busy on sunny weekends. Dogs should be kept on lead on the Radical Steps — 86 steep, mossy paved steps — and through the town.
What should I know before visiting Kirkby Lonsdale: Devil's Bridge and Ruskin's View with my dog?
This is a short 2.6km loop with only around 35 metres of climbing, so it's manageable for most dogs, but a few hazards are worth knowing about. The Radical Steps are steep and can be slippery underfoot, so keep your dog close and on a lead on that section. The car park opposite Devil's Bridge is the recommended starting point, but it gets busy at weekends, so an early arrival on popular days is a good idea.
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