Encouraging people to explore the area sustainably. The trails promote appreciation of the woodland heritage, with key points of interest.
Scroll down to visit the individual trail pages for details, maps and downloadable leaflets.
There is a long tradition of paths and packhorse routes through the area that were used to link communicaties and churches, and to transport materials like iron ore, timber and other woodland produce between the coast, the urban centres and the woodlands. The Greenwood Trails project aims to encourage people to explore the natural and cultural heritage of the Rusland area sustainably through a series of self-guided trails. The trails use the existing rights of way network and quiet lanes within the area, in addition to looking for opportunities for new rights of way where there are gaps in the network. The routes are circular and start from existing car parks, linking to visitor attractions in the area where possible, to extend people’s stay. The project focussed on:
- Improving the rights of way network on the ground with our apprentices and volunteers from the local community.
- Working with our apprentices to conserve prime landscape features along the trails.
- Promoting the trails on the ground through specifically waymarked routes.
- Developing self-guided trail leaflets and online information to guide people through the area with volunteers from the local community.
The eight trails are listed below with links to their information pages, leaflet downloads and maps of the routes:
Greenwood Trail 1: Old Hall Farm to Rusland Moss and Hay Bridge
Greenwood Trail 2: Haverthwaite Heights to Abbots Reading
Greenwood Trail 3: The Bobbin Mill to High Dam, Yewbarrow and Finsthwaite
Greenwood Trail 4: Oxen Park to Bethecar Moor
Greenwood Trail 5: Rusland valley and Yewbarrow
Greenwood Trail 6: Grizedale West
Greenwood Trail 7: Finsthwaite Tower and The Knott
Greenwood Trail 8: Satterthwaite and Rusland