Welcome To Glenridding
Introduction To Glenridding
Glenridding is a Village located at the foot of Helvellyn and the southern end of Ullswater the second largest body of water in the Lake District. To get to Glenridding you will most likely be passing through the famous Kirkstone mountain pass road. Glenridding is a rural area surrounded by lake land fells in all directions it is a perfect activity base for hiking and water sports to do on Ullswater.
Things To Do In Glenridding
Helvellyn
Helvellyn is the 3rd highest wainwright in the Lake District standing at 950m it is famous for the striding edge scramble route in which you can do from Glenridding.
​
Ullswater steam boat tours are a great opportunity to explore the second largest body of water in the Lake District, with these tours you can explore the whole area and get right up to the foot of some of the Lakes best wainwrights.​
Ullswater
Ullswater is a vast body of water in the Lakes, you are able to take part in many activities on this water including paddle boarding, kayaking and swimming. There area areas in which you can hire equipment if needed.
Glenridding Dodd is a small wainwright in the English Lake District, it is located just a small walk from Glenridding town centre and is a perfect walk for beginner hikers. This peak is popular for sunsets and surises.
Aira Forces waterfall is the highest waterfall in the Lake District, it is just a short drive from Glenridding and a small walk to view the waterfall from the car park. This stunning waterfall has many different viewing points.
​
Glendridding Sailing Centre
Glenridding Sailing Centre is a small sailing and activity centre based at the stunning southern end of Ullswater, in the Lake District. They provide a wide range of high quality, fun-filled outdoor activities, from sailing tuition, to team building activities, to canoe and kayak hire.
Places To Stay In Glenridding
Glenridding is a stunning village located in the East of the Lake District National Park. Glenridding is an amazing adventure base as it is surrounded by Lakeland fells and the vast Ullswater. Glenridding has only a few different types of accommodation due to how small the area is however all the accommodation is in walking area of everything outdoors.
Visit the link to find your desired property and your desired location in Glenridding for your wonderful stay in one of the Lake Districts greatest locations.
Walks In Glenridding
Glenridding is a very popular area in the Lake District with plenty of people passing by and staying every day. The Lake District is one of the best places in the UK for adventurous activities hiking being one of them. Glenridding is surrounded by rolling hills and fells with dramatic scenery and is home to some of the most popular walks in the Lake District. There is a variety of walks around Glenridding varying in difficulty and length to suit beginner hikers and more experienced hikers. Below are some of the breath taking walks within the Glenridding area that the Lake District has to offer.
Glenridding Hiking Trails
1. Aira Force and Gowbarrow Circular
Distance - 6.9 km
Time - 2.30 h
Elevation - 392 m
Difficulty - Easy
This hike to the highest waterfall in the Lake District and one of the lakeland fells is a nice easy walk perfect for beginners. This walk starts from the Aira Force National Trust car park, you will follow the route up the the majestic waterfall and along the cascades until you reach the summit of Gowbarrow fell. Find this route here
2. Helvellyn via Striding edge
Distance - 12.7 km
Time - 5 h
Elevation - 855 m
Difficulty - Hard
This hike starts in the village centre of Glenridding and summits 3 of the Lake Districts Wainwrights, Birkhouse moor, Helvellyn and Catsycam. The route ascends fairly rapidly until you reach Birkhouse moor the route then levels out and the scramble across striding edge begins. After striding edge is complete there is a short steep incline to the Helvellyn summit. You then head down Swirral edge then back up to the summit Catsycam. From here you begin your journey back to Glenridding. Find this route here
3. Glenridding Dodd and Sheffield Pike Circular
Distance - 8.9 km
Time - 4 h
Elevation - 543 m
Difficulty - Moderate
The route summits 2 of the wainwrights in the Lake District National Park, Glenridding Dodd and Sheffield Pike. You can start and finish this route in Glenridding village centre, Glenridding Dodd is the first summit you will reach it is a short steep incline to the summit. You will make your way towards Sheffield Pike the route connecting both fells is full of bracken and a bit scrambly. Once at the summit of Sheffield Pike you can retrace your steps back to Glenridding village centre. Find this route here
4. Place Fell
Distance - 7.2 km
Time - 3.5 h
Elevation - 542 m
Difficulty - Moderate
This route climbs one of the Lakeland fells, Place Fell. Starting in Patterdale the trail heads up into the hills and takes on the big climb from Side Farm. The path is fairly steep up until you reach the halfway point. The path then continues in relatively steady gradient to the summit. You can retrace your steps back to the start point or make this a circular route back to the start point. Find this route here
5. Aira Force Circular
Distance - 2.1 km
Time - 50 min
Elevation - 131 m
Difficulty - Easy
This short walk up to the Aira Force waterfall is a perfect family walk, it start at the Aira Force National Trust car park. The walk climbs gently to the bridge that crosses the highest waterfall in the Lake District and then back around to the start point. Find this route here
Glenridding History
Glenridding is historically known for the Greenside Mine that was used from the early 18th century. The mine really grew in popularity within Glenridding and the surrounding area in the mid 18th century with a third of the locals working in association with the mining. There was not enough labour or experience within the immediate area to work the mine, so workers arrived from outside westmoorland (Cumbria) Many of the miners came from existing mining communities from Alston in Cumberland and Yorkshire.
How To Get To Glenridding
1. Train To Glenridding
The Train closest to Glenridding is Penrith train station which is a 30 minute drive along the A66 then the A592 to Glenridding the 508 bus makes this journey from Penrith to Glenridding. There is also a train station that ends in Windermere. it is a 30 minute drive to Glenridding in which you would follow the A591 then the A592 to Glenridding. The train which terminates at Windermere line runs directly to Manchester airport this is as far south the trainline travels without changes.
2. Car To Glenridding
Glenridding is most accessible by car, most likely If coming from the north or the south you will get off the M6 in the North lakes and take the A66 to then the A592 to Glenridding, this journey is 30 minutes from the motorway. . The total time it will take will vary depending on your Location. If travelling through the Lake District from the south you will drive through kirkstone pass.
3. Bus To Glenridding
The buses in the Lake District are efficient and fairly prices. most likely you would be catching the bus from Penrith or Windermere train station. From Penrith train station you would take the 508 bus to Glenridding. From Windermere the bus route is a lot long way round to get to Glenridding to miss the Kirkstone mountain pass, you would take the 555 bus from Windermere to Keswick then the X5 bus to Penrith lastly the 508 to Glenridding.
4. Ferry To Glenridding
If travelling to Glenridding by ferry you will most likely be coming from Isle Of Man, Northern Ireland or Ireland. From Isle of Man you would arrive in Heysham port and drive from Heysham to Glenridding which is approximately a 1 hour and 20 min long journey. If travelling from Northern Ireland or Ireland you would catch a ferry to Liverpool which is then approximately a 2 hour 10 minute drive.
5. Flight To Glenridding
The nearest airport to Glenridding is Manchester airport, from Manchester airport you can get a direct train straight to Windermere and then travel by road 30 minutes to Glenridding or drive from Manchester airport which is approximately a 2 hour drive.