Welcome to the fourth in our summer series of wellbeing walks, designed for anyone who would like to discover new places in the Eden with friendly, like-minded people. Each walk in the series offers a chance to explore the landscape at a gentle pace, combining outdoor activity with time to notice, reflect, and connect more deeply with nature and place.
Discover limestone landscapes, wildlife and geological deep time on this invigorating walk through Smardale Gill and its surrounding country
This week we are joined by Stephen Mott for an engaging walk through the spectacular landscapes of Smardale Gill, one of the Eden catchment’s hidden gems.
Starting from the Cumbria Wildlife Trust car park, our route follows a mix of public footpaths across fields, open fell, a former railway line, and short sections of quiet road. As we go, we’ll be exploring the story of geological deep time, uncovering how limestone geology and natural processes have shaped this countryside over millions of years.
We’ll also take time to notice the rich variety of wildlife that thrives here, from wildflowers and butterflies to birds and other species that make Smardale Gill such a special place. The old railway line offers a unique perspective on both the area’s industrial heritage and its ongoing ecological recovery.
