Cunswick Scar
Ancient limestone scar offering breathtaking 360° views of the Lake District and Howgills. An easy walk with a prominent summit cairn.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Cunswick Scar
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Ancient limestone scar offering breathtaking 360° views of the Lake District and Howgills. An easy walk with a prominent summit cairn.
"Outstanding little walk from above Kendal. Great views and nice walking, no great climbing."
👟 Wear sturdy shoes
The limestone paths are generally dry but can be uneven. Good walking shoes are recommended for comfort and grip.
🚗 Shared Car Park
The car park is shared with Scout Scar and can get busy on weekends. Arrive early for a spot.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Summit Cairn
Summit
A prominent cairn marks the highest point, offering a sense of accomplishment and a focal point for the stunning vistas.
Panoramic Mountain Views
Summit
Enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the Lake District fells, Howgills, and beyond. A photographer's dream!
Limestone Landscape
The Scar
Explore the unique dry limestone terrain, a distinctive geological feature offering interesting textures and flora.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👟 Wear sturdy shoes
The limestone paths are generally dry but can be uneven. Good walking shoes are recommended for comfort and grip.
🚗 Shared Car Park
The car park is shared with Scout Scar and can get busy on weekends. Arrive early for a spot.
🚶 Combine with Scout Scar
Extend your walk by connecting to Scout Scar for continuous ridge walking and even more impressive views.
📸 Capture the views
The 360-degree vistas are spectacular. Bring your camera or phone to capture the stunning Lake District scenery.
Tips
from all over the internet
👟 Wear sturdy shoes
The limestone paths are generally dry but can be uneven. Good walking shoes are recommended for comfort and grip.
🚗 Shared Car Park
The car park is shared with Scout Scar and can get busy on weekends. Arrive early for a spot.
🚶 Combine with Scout Scar
Extend your walk by connecting to Scout Scar for continuous ridge walking and even more impressive views.
📸 Capture the views
The 360-degree vistas are spectacular. Bring your camera or phone to capture the stunning Lake District scenery.
🐶 Dog-friendly walks
Many visitors enjoy walks here with their dogs, though keep them under control due to wildlife.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Cunswick Scar for its stunning, expansive 360-degree views and its accessibility. It's described as a pleasant and easy walk, perfect for families and those seeking great scenery without a strenuous climb. Some note it can get busy on weekends.
"Very pleasant walk from Kendal Fellside to the summit cairn. Those with energy can extend along the top to Scout Scar and back down into Kendal. Great, panoramic views from the top."
David Murray
"Lovely , great views . Easy walk for kids too"
Pancake Pincher
"Outstanding little walk from above Kendal. Car park is on the Winster road from kendal and shared with Scout Scar, both excellent dry walks on limestone. Can be busy at weekends as popular. Great views and nice walking, no great climbing as the car park is at the height of the Scars."
Alan Johnson
What People Like
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Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Cunswick Scar is accessible via a car park located on the Winster road from Kendal. It's shared with Scout Scar. You can also reach it via walks from Kendal Fellside or Kendal town.
Yes, there is a car park available, but it is shared with Scout Scar and can become busy, especially on weekends. Arriving early is advised.
Absolutely! Many visitors enjoy a pleasant walk from Kendal Fellside or directly from Kendal town to Cunswick Scar.
While direct public transport to the scar itself is limited, you can take a bus or train to Kendal and then embark on a walk from there.
A popular route is from Kendal Fellside, offering a straightforward ascent. Alternatively, you can explore longer routes from the town center. 
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Cunswick Scar is a natural landmark and does not require an entrance fee or tickets. Access is free for all visitors.
Cunswick Scar is open to the public at all times. As it's an outdoor natural area, there are no set opening or closing hours.
There is no admission fee to visit Cunswick Scar. Enjoy the views and the walk without any cost.
While you can technically visit at night, it's not recommended due to the lack of lighting and potential safety hazards on the uneven terrain.
The main consideration is respecting the natural environment. Stick to marked paths where possible and be mindful of other visitors.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The walk up to the summit cairn from the car park is relatively short, often taking around 30-60 minutes depending on your pace.
It's generally considered an easy to moderate walk. The paths are well-defined, and the ascent is not overly strenuous, making it suitable for families.
Expect stunning 360-degree panoramic views of the Lake District fells, the Howgills, and the surrounding countryside.
There are no specific facilities like restrooms or cafes directly at Cunswick Scar. Facilities are more likely to be found in Kendal.
Yes, Cunswick Scar is excellent for photography, especially during sunrise and sunset, offering expansive landscapes and dramatic skies.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no dining facilities directly at Cunswick Scar. You'll find a variety of pubs and restaurants in nearby Kendal.
Yes, Cunswick Scar is a great spot for a picnic. Enjoy your meal with fantastic views, but remember to take all your litter with you.
The Riflemans pub in Kendal is often mentioned as a good spot for drinks and pies after a run or walk to Cunswick Scar.
You'll find cafes in Kendal town center, which is a short drive or walk away from Cunswick Scar.
Kendal offers a range of dining options, from traditional pubs serving hearty meals to cafes and restaurants with diverse menus.
📸 📸 Photography
Golden hours, around sunrise and sunset, offer the most dramatic lighting for landscape photography. Midday can be harsh but still offers great panoramic shots.
Focus on the expansive 360-degree views, the summit cairn, the unique limestone formations, and the changing skies.
A wide-angle lens is highly recommended to capture the vastness of the panoramic views. A standard zoom lens will also be useful for details.
The entire summit area provides excellent viewpoints. Experiment with different angles to capture the sweeping landscapes.
Always check local regulations regarding drone usage before flying. Respect any restrictions and fly responsibly.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider bringing a picnic to enjoy at the summit, turning the visit into a fun outing. The dry limestone paths are generally safe, but always supervise young children closely. Combining the visit with Scout Scar offers a slightly longer but still manageable walk for families with older children or those with more energy.
🏃♀️ Runners and Fitness Enthusiasts
+1 The Helm Hill winter league regularly uses Cunswick Scar for races, indicating its popularity within the local running community. Many runners enjoy point-to-point routes, such as running from Kendal to Cunswick Scar and continuing along the ridge to Scout Scar, or even further afield. The continuous ridge walking and varied terrain make for an engaging and challenging run.
The stunning views serve as a great motivator during your workout. 📸 Photographers
Don't forget to capture the prominent summit cairn and the unique textures of the limestone landscape. A wide-angle lens is highly recommended to do justice to the sweeping panoramas.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Geology of Cunswick Scar
The dry nature of the limestone means that even after rain, the paths tend to dry out relatively quickly, making Cunswick Scar a viable option for walking when other areas might be waterlogged. This geological difference also contributes to the excellent panoramic views, as the limestone provides a stable and elevated platform. Exploring the textures and formations of the limestone can be a fascinating aspect of the visit for those interested in natural history.
This limestone bedrock is also responsible for the clear, expansive views from the summit. The lack of dense woodland on the scar itself ensures unobstructed sightlines across the Lake District, the Howgills, and beyond. The presence of a large cairn at the summit further emphasizes its role as a prominent landmark within this geological setting.
Walking and Running Routes
Many visitors choose to combine Cunswick Scar with Scout Scar, creating a longer, continuous ridge walk. This extended route offers sustained panoramic views and a more substantial outing. For those seeking a point-to-point challenge, routes like the one described from Kendal to Scout Scar and back home via Cunswick Fell are popular among trail runners.
The Helm Hill Runners even organize Christmas fancy dress runs up to Cunswick Scar, showcasing its accessibility for community events. The terrain is generally described as dry and firm underfoot due to the limestone, making it suitable for running shoes. However, the paths can be uneven, so sturdy footwear is always recommended. The Helm Hill winter league also features Cunswick Scar as a race location, highlighting its appeal for competitive fell running.
Whether you're looking for a gentle walk or a vigorous run, Cunswick Scar provides a scenic and accessible option. 
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