Penrith Walks

Gilwilly: Long Power Walk

Recharge with our long power walk. Step out, stretch the legs and clear your head. Taking in Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Thacka Beck Nature Reserve and a short loop around Gilwilly Industrial Estate.

Distance 1.5 miles

Difficulty Easy

Elevation 52m

Avg Time 30mins

Route images

Walk Information

This short walk will help clear your mind and get closer to nature. See the seasons and colours change at Thacka Beck’s wetland and see if you can spot some of the abundant birdlife from the comfort of one of the benches and viewing points around the site. Ideal for anyone working or living locally to leave their desk and discover nature on their doorstep.

Please note that some of the rough stone paths around the reserve are sloping. The rest of the route that looping around Gilwilly Industrial Estate is pavement.

Surface Details

Please note that there are rough stone paths around the reserve are limitation to access via kissing gate and narrow boardwalk on entry and exit of nature reserve site. The rest of the route around Gilwilly Industrial Estate is tarmac pavement.

Accessibility

There are wheelchair-friendly kissing gates leading to Thacka Beck Nature Reserve at Thacka Lane, Cowper Road and Bowerbank Way. There are a couple of steep sections on gravel pathways with the reserve.

Please be aware of livestock whilst walking in the countryside, most cows and sheep on public right of ways are safe but stay alert to the potential risk to you and your walking party, especially with cows and calves (see the link for more info. to stay safe). Keep your dog on a lead around all livestock, even if your dog is especially well-behaved, the poor sheep don’t know this! Especially in lambing time, try to leave the field as calm as you found it. To learn more about walking in the countryside around farm animals please visit: Countryside Walking Tips: Safety Around Livestock at: www.rspcaassured.org.uk/farmed-animal-welfare/other-animal-welfare-concerns/advice-for-walking-in-the-countryside/

Downloads

The Power Walk Printable

Walk Supplied By

Penrith Business Parks

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Plan Your Visit

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Nearest Bus Stop: Musgrave Street

Parking: Street Parking

Click the button to get directions to this walk route

Weather

River Levels

Low

0.04 metres

Data provided from Thacka Beck Reservoir river station monitoring Thacka Beck

Directions

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1. Start on Gilwilly Road at footpath entrance opposite Gilwilly Lane. Restricted access through staggered barriers
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2. Follow the sharp right-hand bend and walk until you reach the junction with Bowerbank Way. Turn left and cross over the road.
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3. Turn right after 20 yards and enter Thacka Beck nature reserve. Follow gravel path across footbridge.
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4. Turn right at the end and follow the path through the reserve – keeping the pond on your left.
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5. Follow path until you near its end. Take path to your left before reaching railway underpass and kissing gate.
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6. Follow the path keeping Thacka Beck pond on your left hand side and railway line to the right. Through wall gap and left onto tarmac lane.
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7. Follow lane for a few metres and re-enter Thacka Beck nature reserve through gateway on your left.
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8. A steep gradient up gravel path past bench, follow path keeping Thacka Beck pond on your left. Turn right at second bench and interpretation board.
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9. Pass the entrance where you originally joined the reserve and keep on main path bearing right.
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10. Follow path and bear round to the left staying on main path.
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11. Continue to the end until reaching kissing gate. Turn left onto Cowper Road
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12. Follow Cowper Road until and bear left onto Gilwilly Road before reaching the T junction.
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As you follow Gilwilly Road back to your start point, look out for Eden Community Tree Nursery at allotment No.99 on your right as the road bends to your left!