High Leys National Nature Reserve is a designated national nature reserve in Cumbria, characterized by its rich and diverse landscape. The reserve encompasses 22 acres, featuring species-rich hay meadows, rare flower-rich wet grassland, and mire habitats. This varied terrain, which also includes woodlands and access to lakeside paths in the wider area, provides a suitable environment for several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
High Leys National…
97
Routes
4.4
(132)
Average rating
2230
People visited

4.7
(24)
207
hikers
14.2km
04:34
580m
580m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(5)
156
hikers
4.38km
01:14
90m
90m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(4)
127
hikers
8.15km
02:20
190m
190m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(12)
109
hikers
15.5km
04:53
590m
590m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(6)
65
riders
25.7km
02:18
260m
260m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(1)
18
riders
37.3km
02:55
520m
520m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
19
riders
64.0km
04:23
1,100m
1,100m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.5
(2)
25
riders
47.8km
03:30
530m
530m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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64
riders
48.1km
02:31
600m
600m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
53
riders
41.8km
01:52
420m
420m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

16
riders
24.8km
01:13
320m
320m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
15
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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5.0
(1)
70
runners
15.8km
01:58
540m
540m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

53
runners
9.43km
01:16
360m
370m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
45
runners
6.81km
00:47
180m
180m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
41
runners
9.25km
01:00
170m
170m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
53
riders
55.7km
03:44
490m
490m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
55
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
22
riders
49.2km
03:11
560m
560m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
22
riders
53.3km
03:35
850m
850m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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High Leys National Nature Reserve is a protected area in Cumbria, recognized for its species-rich hay meadows and diverse habitats. It encompasses 22 acres, featuring traditional hay meadows, rare flower-rich wet grasslands, and mire habitats. The reserve's management practices, unchanged since the 1940s, have preserved its ecological importance.
High Leys National Nature Reserve offers various outdoor activities, including hiking, jogging, touring cycling, road cycling, and mountain biking. The area provides a network of trails through hay meadows, woodlands, and grasslands. These routes cater to different ability levels, with some extending to local lakes.
Yes, High Leys National Nature Reserve features a network of hiking trails suitable for various abilities. Paths wind through traditional hay meadows, woodlands, and open grasslands. For detailed information on routes, refer to the Hiking in High Leys National Nature Reserve guide.
High Leys National Nature Reserve is accessible for cycling, including touring and road cycling. It is located along the C2C (Coast to Coast) cycle route and forms part of Route 71 on the Sustrans National Cycle Network. Information on routes can be found in the Cycling in High Leys National Nature Reserve guide.
High Leys National Nature Reserve offers routes suitable for families, with paths through varied terrain. The reserve's natural features and diverse habitats provide an engaging environment for visitors of all ages. Specific family-friendly options are detailed in the Family-friendly hikes in High Leys National Nature Reserve guide.
Information regarding dog policies within High Leys National Nature Reserve is available. Visitors should ensure dogs are kept under control to protect wildlife and habitats. Specific guidance for dog owners can be found in the Dog-friendly hikes in High Leys National Nature Reserve guide.
The reserve is characterized by its species-rich hay meadows, covering nearly half of its 22 acres. Other significant features include rare and flower-rich wet grassland and mire habitats. These diverse ecosystems support a wide array of plants, insects, and invertebrates.
The summer months are ideal for observing wildflowers in High Leys National Nature Reserve. During this period, species like the bright oxeye daisy, yellow rattle, and marsh marigold are in bloom. Rarer species such as the greater butterfly orchid and adder's tongue fern can also be found.
High Leys National Nature Reserve is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 68,000 visitors sharing their experiences. Routes in the reserve have an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among outdoor enthusiasts.
Komoot offers several guides for High Leys National Nature Reserve, covering various sports and interests. These include guides for Hiking, Running Trails, Cycling, and MTB Trails. Additional guides focus on family-friendly or dog-friendly options.
For official information and contact, visitors can reach the site manager of High Leys National Nature Reserve. The official contact number is 01697 352819. It is advisable to contact the site manager in advance, especially concerning access.
Yes, High Leys National Nature Reserve provides easy walking routes suitable for casual strolls. These paths allow visitors to experience the reserve's hay meadows and diverse habitats without significant difficulty. The Easy hikes in High Leys National Nature Reserve guide offers specific options.
The terrain in High Leys National Nature Reserve is varied, encompassing dry, damp, and marshy grasslands. It features traditional hay meadows, wet grasslands, and mire habitats. The wider area also includes woodlands and lakeside paths, offering a diverse landscape for outdoor activities.

