Grayrigg Forest

Grayrigg Forest stands on the eastern edge of what is now the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. The hill reaches 494 metres above sea level and its summit can be reached from the quieter Borrowdale valley. From the top, visitors look down into the Lune valley gorge where the River Lune, the West Coast Main Line railway, the M6 motorway and the road all crowd together. The valley separates the outliers of the Lake District from the Howgill Fells on the far side. The hill is one of three summits added to the Fellranger list in the 2019–2021 edition of Mark Richards’ eight-volume guide. Winterscleugh and Whinfell Beacon joined Grayrigg Forest when the national park boundary was extended in 2019. The new list brought the total number of Fellrangers to 230. These hills were recognised for the first time after the boundary change. A walker who reaches the summit finds wide views across the Lune valley gorge and the surrounding fells. The route from Borrowdale climbs steadily through woodland and open slopes. On clear days the Howgill Fells and the central Lake District peaks appear in the distance. The contrast between quiet upland paths and the busy transport corridor far below is striking. The summit itself is grassy and unfenced, with space to rest and enjoy the outlook.