Carlisle is the perfect base for walkers

Two long distance routes converge on Carlisle and we are situated a short distance from popular walking areas such as the Lake District and Eden Valley. The beautiful River Eden flows through our two city centre parks and nearby is the spectacular Talkin Tarn. The unspoilt mysterious of the Solway Coast AONB can be found to the west of Carlisle and the Pennines AONB to the East.

The Hadrians Wall Path National Trail

The Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail is a long distance footpath following the line of Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage site. It runs for 84 miles from Wallsend on the east coast of England to Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast, passing though the centre of Carlisle. A large part of the route follows the remains of Hadrian's Wall itself, crossing from coast to coast though north Cumbria and Northumberland. Significant sections of the trail lay within Northumberland National Park. Learn More (external link)

The Cumbrian Way

The Cumbrian Way is a linear long distance footpath in Cumbria. Running from Ulverston to Carlisle, it passes through the towns of Coniston and Keswick and through the Langdale and Borrowdale valleys. The route runs for 70 miles through the spectacular scenery of Cumbria and the majority of the route is inside the boundaries of the Lake District National Park, now a World Heritage Site. Learn More (external link)

Talkin Tarn

Talkin Tarn is a glacial lake and country park near Brampton, Cumbria. The lake is a kettle hole lake, formed 10,000 years ago by mass glacial action. The Tarn is said to be the home of a legendary pike, which supposedly lives in its waters, although few have witnessed it. The tarn has a 1.3miles circular path that is ideal for a gentle stroll which is hard-surfaced and accessible. The Tarn has also a Tearoom which offers delicious hot & cold food overlooking the Tarn.

The country park also offers a wide range of activities from rowing & sailing to archery. If you are interested in something more sedate, the Alex Boathouse regularly houses exhibitions by local artists and craftspeople Visit Website.

Why not try some of our Healthy City walking programmes: To watch a video about the scheme and get more information which you can print out and enjoy at your own pace. Visit the Carlisle Partnership Website (external link)

Healthy City

A wealth of Options

Cycling in Carlisle offers a wealth of options for short do-in-a day rides or for those who want to explore the area further there are two major long distance routes that pass through the city.

The Lochs & Glens Cycle Route (National Route 7)

Links Sunderland and Inverness and passes through the heart of Carlisle. It forms two-thirds of the famous Sea to Sea (C2C) cycle route before heading north to Glasgow via Glen Trool Forest and the Ayrshire coast, before passing through two National Parks - Loch Lomond & The Trossachs and Cairngorms. The whole route is currently 601 miles long

Hadrian’s Cycle Way (National Route 72)

Starts at Ravenglass, where the remains of a Roman Bath House can be seen, and makes its way around the Cumbrian coast to Silloth. It then crosses the country through Carlisle to Arbeia Roman Fort at South Shields on the East Coast. Much of the route is very close to the remains of Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site. The route boasts Dramatic Scenery and an abundance of unique historic sites which have helped make this one of the most popular and best long distance routes in the country. The whole route is 174miles longs travelling from one side of the country to the other and can be ridden in either direction. Cyclists generally spend between 4 and 6 days to complete the route leaving time to explore the amazing historic sites along the way.