Cumbria Tourist Board offers up five great woodland walks across Cumbria.

1. The Beatrice Potter Walk...

13 miles (5-6 hours)...

A walk around the shores of Lake Windermere and over the wooded fells of Claife Heights to the villages of Sawrey and Hawkshead to take in the sights and sounds that inspired the works of Beatrix Potter. Along the way you will be able to walk through the lovely woods of Cockshott Point that she bequeathed to the National Trust and to visit her house, Hill Top in Near Sawrey.

2. The Rusland Valley Walk...

5 miles (2-3 hours).

The route follows well waymarked paths from Hawkshead across low pastures to the charming settlement of Colthouse. It then begins the steady climb through glorious mixed woodland to the stile at the foot of Latterbarrow.

3. The Cartmel Walk...

6.5 miles (3-4 hours).

This circular walk leaves from Cartmel's racecourse and climbs steadily through woodland and over pastures. It continues to Speel Bank, a sylvan, isolated area, where there is a deer farm. The route goes on below Mount Barnard and along the Cistercian Way to Cartmel.

4. The Glory of the River Esk Walk...

4 miles (2-3 hours).

The whole length of the River Esk is a delight, much of which can be seen during this pleasant walk from Dalegarth Station: the narrow gorge of Stanley Falls; the site of old foundry workings, the farmland, woods and fells.

5. The Sedburgh Walk...

5 miles (2-3 hours).

A loop walk from Sedburgh centre, this walk is one of contrasts, crossing through quiet lowland pastures, along narrow traffic-free lanes, continuing beside the lovely River Dee and finally climbing gently back through walled tracks and beside delightful deciduous woodland.

For full details of all these walks, including information on the routes and maps please visit http://www.lakedistrictoutdoors.co.uk/walking.htm In addition to these walks above, the Forestry Commission's Forest Park, Grizedale, (Hawkshead, Ambleside in Cumbria) is an excellent place to walk. The Park offers the complete day out with an extensive range of waymarked paths, picnic areas, forest roads and tracks. A guide map can be purchased from the Visitor Centre, which shows all the waymarked routes. Grizedale Forest Park offers superb views of Coniston Water, Windermere and Grizedale Valley itself.

- Ridding Wood Trail - start at Grizedale Visitor Centre - blue waymarker - 1 miles - 1 hour - easy.

- Machells Coppice Walk - start at Machell's Coppice Car Park - purple waymarker - 1.5 miles - 1 hour - moderate.

- Carron Crag - start at Grizedale Visitor Centre - red waymarker - 3 miles - 2 hours - strenuous.

- Millwood Trail - start at Grizedale Visitor Centre - yellow waymarker - 1.5 miles - 1 hours - moderate.

- Grizedale Tarn - start at Grizedale Visitor Centre - white waymarker - 3.25 miles - 2 to 2.5 hours - strenuous.

- Bogle Crag - start at Bogle Crag Car Park - lilac waymarker - 3 miles - 1.5 to 2.5hours - moderate.

- High Bowkerstead Walks - start at Blind Lane Car Park - white waymarker - 2 to 4 miles - 1.5 to 2.5 hours - strenuous.

- Silurian Way - start at Grizedale Visitor Centre - green waymarker - 9.5 miles - 5 hours - strenuous.

For more information, please contact Grizedale Forest Park on 01229 860010