Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve is a distinctive national nature reserve situated between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. This area is renowned for its internationally significant limestone pavements, unique karst scenery, and ancient woodlands, offering a varied landscape for outdoor pursuits. The terrain features crags, fells, and open countryside, providing panoramic views across the wider region. Visitors can engage in several sports like hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
118
Routes
4.5
(252)
Average rating
1815
People visited

4.7
(15)
61
riders
20.3km
01:43
450m
450m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

2.0
(1)
9
riders
30.6km
02:43
600m
600m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

18
riders
43.1km
03:12
690m
690m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
9
riders
23.2km
01:42
340m
340m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

3.0
(1)
2
hikers
12.4km
03:15
100m
100m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(33)
164
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(16)
87
hikers
19.5km
05:34
450m
450m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
15
hikers
10.1km
02:58
270m
270m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.7
(12)
112
riders
34.5km
02:21
490m
490m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
27
riders
18.6km
01:11
200m
200m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

23
riders
41.2km
03:03
610m
610m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

23
riders
58.3km
03:30
420m
420m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.9
(9)
101
riders
66.0km
02:49
540m
540m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
85
riders
42.9km
02:25
730m
730m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.8
(4)
95
riders
27.7km
01:18
350m
350m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
37
riders
39.9km
01:40
220m
220m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

68
runners
12.3km
01:37
380m
380m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

18
runners
7.64km
00:48
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
12
runners
5.17km
00:33
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
runners
8.80km
00:56
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve is internationally significant for its extensive and varied limestone pavements, unique karst scenery, and ancient woodlands. It features geological formations like grikes and runnels, formed from 350-million-year-old Carboniferous limestone. The reserve also offers panoramic views of the Lakeland Fells, Yorkshire Dales, and Morecambe Bay.
Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve supports various outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and jogging. The reserve provides numerous trails and quiet country lanes suitable for different fitness levels and interests. Visitors can explore these activities through available guides such as Hiking in Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve.
Yes, Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve offers easier routes suitable for beginners and those seeking less strenuous walks. Examples include the Farleton Fell Summit loop, which is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km), and the Limestone Pavement – Hutton Roof Crag Trig Point loop, about 2.7 miles (4.4 km). More options can be found in the Easy hikes in Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve guide.
Yes, dogs are generally permitted on trails within Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve. Visitors should ensure dogs are kept under control, especially near livestock or wildlife. Specific dog-friendly routes are highlighted in the Dog-friendly hikes in Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve guide.
The reserve is renowned for its extensive limestone pavements, which are considered among the best globally, showcasing unique geological formations. Other notable features include Hutton Roof Crags, offering panoramic views, and ancient woodlands like Park Wood and Pickles Wood. The area also exhibits fine karst scenery with diverse limestone pavement features.
Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve provides trails suitable for families. Shorter and less challenging routes allow families to explore the distinctive limestone pavements and open fells. For specific recommendations, consult the Family-friendly hikes in Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve guide.
The area around Hutton Roof offers many miles of quiet country lanes and bridleways, suitable for both touring and road cycling. The Cumbria Cycle Way runs through Hutton Roof and Newbiggin, providing routes with minimal traffic. Guides like Traffic-free bike rides in Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve offer specific route suggestions.
While extensive mountain biking trails within the immediate reserve are not widely detailed, the varied terrain, including woodlands and crags, suggests potential for mountain biking in the wider area. Moderate mountain bike rides, such as the 'Newbiggin Crags and Scout Hill loop,' are available. The MTB Trails in Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve guide provides further information.
Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve is a popular destination among komoot users, with more than 52,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes and activities in the reserve have an average rating of 4.57 out of 5 stars, indicating a high level of satisfaction from the community.
The reserve is home to a wealth of unusual plants and animals due to its rich biodiversity. Flora includes rare plants like dark-red helleborine and fly orchids, while fauna features butterflies such as the rare high brown fritillary, and birds like willow warblers and skylarks. Mammals like badgers, foxes, and roe deer are also frequently seen.
Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve is managed by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Information about the reserve can be found on their official website. The contact number for Cumbria Wildlife Trust is 01539 816300.
Yes, there are hiking routes in Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve that are accessible from bus stations. This allows visitors to reach trails without needing private transportation. Specific routes can be found in the Hikes from bus stations in Hutton Roof National Nature Reserve guide.

