Easy hikes and walks around Orton

Orton offers a wide selection of easy hiking trails, with over 60 routes specifically categorized as easy. In total, the area features more than 170 hiking routes, catering to various preferences and abilities.

Easy hikes around Orton showcase the distinctive landscapes of the Westmorland Dales. You'll encounter unique limestone pavement, rolling fells, and expansive open moorland. Many trails also wind through pastoral scenes, featuring traditional drystone walls, small rivers, and isolated woodlands.

Yes, the Orton area is rich in history. Many easy trails incorporate fascinating historical features such as ancient drove roads and even prehistoric settlements like Castle Folds. You can also find notable monuments on Orton Scar, including one marking Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee and the ancient site of 'Robin Hood's Grave'.

Yes, many of the easy trails around Orton are designed as circular routes, allowing you to start and finish in the same location. An example is the Kelmarsh Station – Kelmarsh Tunnels loop from Draughton, which is 4.3 miles long and takes about 1 hour 50 minutes to complete.

For scenic views, consider routes that ascend gently to higher ground. From locations like Beacon Hill, you can enjoy panoramic vistas of Orton and the surrounding fells, including the distant Howgill Fells and the North Pennines. The Orton Fells themselves provide grand moorland with stunning views.

The easy trails in Orton are highly regarded by the komoot community, with an average rating of 4.5 stars from over 400 reviews. Hikers often praise the unspoiled landscapes, the sense of solitude on the moorlands, and the well-maintained paths that make for enjoyable, accessible walks.

Yes, the easy hiking trails around Orton are generally well-suited for families. The minimal elevation gain and varied terrain, including woodlands and open fields, provide an engaging experience for all ages. Many routes are relatively short, such as the Overgrown Wooded Section – Sailing on Cransley Reservoir loop from Cransley, which is 2.0 miles and takes about 51 minutes.

Many trails in the Orton area are dog-friendly, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery with your canine companion. However, as the region is part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and features livestock, it's essential to keep dogs under close control, preferably on a lead, especially near grazing animals.

Yes, Orton village itself is a charming place to visit. After your hike, you can find cafes and even a chocolate shop, providing pleasant spots to relax and refuel. These amenities make Orton a convenient starting and ending point for your outdoor adventures.

Keep an eye out for the distinctive limestone pavement, especially around Orton Scar and Great Asby Scar. These unique geological formations feature 'clints' (blocks) and 'grikes' (cracks) that shelter rare plants, creating a significant microenvironment. You'll also see traditional drystone walls and small rivers characteristic of the Dales.

The duration of easy hikes varies, but many can be completed within a couple of hours. For example, the The Three Farthings Pub – Sailing on Cransley Reservoir loop from Cransley is an easy 4.5-mile path, which typically takes around 2 hours to complete at a leisurely pace.

Yes, some easy trails in the wider region utilize former railway lines, offering flat and well-maintained paths. An example is the Dismantled Railway Path – Abandoned Farm Ruin loop from Mawsley, which provides a gentle 4.3-mile walk.