Hardknott is currently open although trees still block some trails. Please adhere to all safety signage and at this time stick to main tracks and do not walk under leaning or hanging trees.
Visitor information
Opening hours
How to find us
Parking & prices
Contact details

Opening hours

Hardknott offers 24 hour access, 365 days a year.

How to find us

How to find us

Please note that the postcode used is the nearest postcode for the site. Follow the directions by car for the specific car park location.

Hardknott, Broughton-in-Furness
Sat Nav Postcode: LA20 6EG
By Car

From the south leaving the A5920 at Duddon Bridge take the minor road to Ulpha and then continue north on the minor road towards Seathwaite. After approximately 2 miles after Seathwaite the car par is on your left. From the north take the A593 from Ambleside towards Skelwith Bridge. Them take the B5343 to Elterwater. Turn left into Elterwater and follow the minor road to Little Langdale. From Little Langdale travel over Wrynose Pass towards Cockley Beck and continue south from Cockley Beck and after approximately 1 mile the car park is on your right.

OS Grid Ref
SD2341 9935

54.385532399466, -3.179309554956

Parking and prices

There are no parking charges at Hardknott.

Additional information

Number of accessible parking spaces: 0

There are no designated accessible parking spaces at this forest, have you seen our Easy Access trails page?

Contact details

Take a walk within an exciting ecological restoration project in the heart of the Lake District.

The entire 630 hectare site at Hardknott Forest is being restored to native habitats of oak and birch woodland, peatbogs, heather and grassland.

Walks through the forest offer great opportunities to observe wildlife, enjoy stunning scenery and see the results of the practical work being done by the Restoring Hardknott Forest project.

At a glance

Walking trails available on public rights of way
08/06/2022 11:36

Things to do

Walking in the woodland is the perfect way to get some fresh air and explore the Lake District's most beautiful landscapes.

Explore Hardknott on its open access paths that run through the car park and into the woodland. 

Nearby forests

Autumnal landscape with lake and mountains in background

Breath-taking views, stunning artwork and endless forest trails, come and discover all that Grizedale has to offer!

View of Pillar from Blengdale Forest viewpoint

Discover a variety of outdoor experiences at Blengdale Forest, from a gentle walk up the valley of the River Bleng to a cycle ride around the forest roads. 

From the highest points, Blengdale offers wild views of Wasdale, Haycock and the West Cumbrian Coast.

For some light refreshment stop off in Gosforth and sample the delicious Gosforth Bakery's pies, famous throughout Cumbria.

Ennerdale lake

Lying on the north western edge of the Lake District National Park, Ennerdale is home to some of England’s most vibrant natural environments and one of the longest running wild land restoration projects in the UK!

Rising abruptly out of the coastal plain of West Cumbria, Ennerdale is one of the most remote of Cumbrian valleys. There is a sense of tranquility, self-will and wildness, a feeling more of Scotland or Scandinavia.

Reservoir

Cogra Moss is a beautiful enclosed forest surrounding a reservoir which is now used by the Cockermouth Angling Association.

The walk up to the dam is along surfaced tracks. Beyond the dam a number of unsurfaced paths provide you with great access around the reservoir in a loop.

For the more adventurous, the walk up onto the top of Blake Fell is harder but provides fantastic views of the northern lake district fells, Scotland, the Solway Coast and Isle of Man.

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