Glenridding and Greenside Mine

Mark Tracey Keiran and Kerris Douglas

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Glenridding is now a small but busy hamlet, highly popular with tourists and walkers alike. It has an idyllic setting on the banks of Ullswater.

Glenridding originated as a mining village, housing the miners who worked Greenside Mine further up the valley.

This walk starts from the National Park Visitor Centre in Glenridding and follows a clear track up to the lead mine which operated from around the 1650s until its closure in 1962. There is still much evidence of mining operations within the landscape, although there is not the derelict machinery and unsightly ruins which can be found in other former mines. The remaining buildings have been turned into a youth hostel and mountain huts.

After reaching the old mine, the walk crosses Glenridding Beck and returns down towards Gillside. On a clear day the views you will see on the descent of Glenridding, Ullswater and the surrounding fells are truly outstanding.

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - North West

Features

Birds, Cafe, Flowers, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Industrial Archaeology, Lake/Loch, Mountains, Play Area, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Waterfall, Wildlife

5/5/2023 - James Toon

I attempted this walk on a rainy spring day (5 May 2023). It's fine up to point 3 but the path is temporarily closed between points 3 and 4. This is for repairs to the bridge across Glenridding Beck. The closure notice is dated 11 April and says the path will be closed for 2–4 weeks. It also says there is a diversion on the eastern side via a temporary bridge slightly further up, but I couldn't see it. So in current circumstances the best anyone can do is retrace their steps towards point 3 then cross the footbridge lower down to rejoin the route at point 7.

6/10/2007 - Stephen Harris

A nice easy walk on good paths with good directions. Good views and short enough as a warm-up before a longer walk. 7/10.