Grizedale forest walks

Grizedale forest in the Lake District is a fantastic place for walking, including with kids. Here I’ll tell you all about all the different Grizedale forest walks (including those suitable for prams, young children and longer routes too) and the fantastic kids adventure playground as well as everything else you need to know to enjoy your family walk. Find more fantastic Family walks Lake District here.

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Where is Grizedale forest?

Grizedale forest is in the Lake District, not that far from Ambleside or Hawkshead.

Grizedale forest postcode for Sat Nav is LA22 0QJ

There are several car parks for Grizedale forest but the one you want for any of the family walks, visitor centre and play area is Grizedale main car park. At the time of writing the charges are:

Up to 20 minutes: No charge

First hour: £2.60

Additional time: £0.50 per 15 minutes

All day maximum charge: £10

It’s a pay on exit car park where your number plate is scanned on entry and then you put it into the parking machine as you head back to your car. We have paid by card with no issues.

I’m not aware of any public transport routes to the forest.

Gruffalo trail Grizedale Forest

I’m going to start this guide to family walks at Grizedale Forest by letting you know that there isn’t a Gruffalo sculpture or Gruffalo trail. There is however a Julia Donaldson trail that changes each year.

In 2024 the trail is the Gruffalo party trail.

We completed the Zog trail in 2023 and loved the trail as well as the app that goes along with it. There are boards around the trail with interactive elements and fun facts as well as photo opportunities.

We also love the sculpture trails in Grizedale forest and the amazing adventure playground. I hope that I have done enough to convince you to read on even if you came here looking for a Gruffalo Trail at Grizedale forest.

If you do want to find a Gruffalo sculpture in the Lake District then I can recommend the Orrest head walk where there is a gorgeous large Gruffalo sculpture halfway up the path. There is also a really good Gruffalo and friends trail at Whinlatter forest. Find out more about Whinlatter forest walks here.

Both Orrest head and Whinlatter forest are suitable for pushchairs but they are both steep uphill walks. There are far more options for on the level, pram-friendly walks in Grizedale forest. If I’ve convinced you that you’ll still have a great family walk without the Gruffalo, read on to find out everything you need to know about Grizedale forest walks with kids.

Pram-friendly walks in Grizedale forest

The Grizedale forest trails around the visitors centre are all perfectly suited to prams and pushchairs. There are a few almost entirely flat trails and the paths are all wide and relatively smooth. There are trails of different length including a few that are relatively flat and about 1 mile long each.

Ridding wood trail is a 1 mile/1.5 km trail nearest to the main car park. This trail is really good for prams and toddlers. It’s pretty flat, short and includes lots of points of interest for kids. There are bridges (big and small), little huts to hide in and a fair few sculptures.

The sculptures on this trail include wooden sheep and trees that wind up to play music. When we visited in October 2023, none of these tree musical sculptures worked but it didn’t spoil our enjoyment of this trail.

Across the other side of the main road which runs through the forest is the visitors centre and cafe. This is where you will find the adventure playground and a covered picnic area. The Julia Donaldson trail is usually over the this side too as part of the Millwood trail.

The millwood trail is another short trail with 0.75 and 1.5 miles options. These trails are generally pram friendly. Certainly the short loop that the Zog trail is on is. It’s generally flat and the path that does go up hill in this section at least is short and possible with a pushchair or young children waling.

Find more Pram friendly walks Lake District here.

Grizedale forest play area

There is a large wooden adventure playground next to the visitor centre at Grizedale forest. My kids have loved playing on this playground since we first visited when they were toddlers and still do now and my eldest is 10.

There is a large wooden bridge that forms the main part of the playground. It’s really cool with slides going off from multiple points and ladders and climbing walls in other parts. It’s possible for adults to walk over the bridge too and is suitable for prams.

There are also smaller play equipment near by like a sand pit, swings and a smaller wooden climbing frame bridge. There are also wooden beams to balance on.

Walking trails at Grizedale forest

As well as the 2 pram-friendly trails that I have mentioned above, there are numerous other routes of various lengths and difficulties.

Carron Crag Trail, 5km (3 miles) – A strenuous walk to the highest point in Grizedale (314m).

Grizedale Tarn Trail, 6.5 km (4 miles) – a new trail to explore previously unexplored areas of the forest. This includes crossing the Centenary Bridge, built by volunteers to commemorate the Forestry Commission Centenary in 2019.

Silurian Way, 16km (10 miles) – The ultimate Grizedale walk! A grand tour of the forest with many different artworks and views along the way.

From Bogle Crag car park – Bogle Crag Trails, Short trail: 4km (2.5 miles), Long trail: 5km (3 miles). Watch out because bogle means ghost!

From Blind Lane car park, High Bowkerstead Trails, Short trail: 4km (2.5 miles), Long trail: 6.5km (4 miles). Tackle the steep climbs and you’ll see the Last Rays of an English Rose sculpture by Keir Smith and the Stone Forest sculpture by Kimio Tsuchiya along the way.

From Machell’s Coppice car park, Machell’s Coppice Trail, 2.5km (1.5 miles). A short walk with views over Coniston Water.

Find full details of all these routes here – Walking trails at Grizedale

Picnic and toilet facilities at Grizedale forest

Right next to the playground is a covered picnic areas as well as the cafe above it, next to the visitor centre and toilet facilities.

There is also an outdoor picnic area and more toilets at the top of the main car park.

Grizedale sculpture trail

There are lots of sculptures dotted around Grizedale forest and they are all quite different. There are lots on the short trails near to the visitor centre as well as on longer trails, further into the forest.

Grizedale forest visitor centre

At the visitor centre you an buy your trail sheets, look around the shop, visit the cafe or even see local artist studios.

Go Ape at Grizedale forest

There is a large Go Ape trail near to the visitor centre. It has it’s own car park nearby and the course looks fantastic. It includes a long zip wire over footpaths.

You can also go on a segway expereince through the forest.

Book your go ape experience here * – Go Ape Grizedale Forest.

More things to do nearby

There are loads of Child-friendly attractions in the Lake District for you to enjoy as well as lots of walking opportunities.

Brockhole on Windermere is another fantastic place to visit with kids. Pram friendly paths, an amazing adventure playground and loads of activities for older kids too.

Find Things to do in Windermere with kids here.

Another fantastic family walk is the Sizergh castle play trail.

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