This short walk visits the surprisingly impressive Blengdale Forest, home of some of the tallest trees in the Lake District. Our route takes us along the beautiful river-side path before returning along a higher level forest track. There is also the option to extend the walk further into the woods. At the time of writing a footbridge across the Bleng is out of use, having been badly damaged in floods, but this should soon change.
Ascent: 300ft
Length: 1.5 miles
Map: Lakes South West
Last Walked: March 2012
We start from a small parking area just outside the forest. To reach this head along the main road from Gosforth to Wellington. Where the main road turns right to cross over a bridge and begin the journey to Wasdale ignore that turn and continue on straight ahead. Where this lane turns left once again ignore the turn and follow a forest track (ignore the warning signs at the entrance to this track - I've asked Forestry Commission staff and they say its perfectly OK to use the track to reach the parking area). This track lasts for rather longer than expected, but eventually you will reach a large patch of hard standing to the right of the track (large enough for around 8-10 cars). Park here.