Cumbria Walks
Walking Routes & Hiking Trails

Find Cumbria walks from the list below which features the best walking routes in the area. Most of routes are circular walks although there are a few linear hikes. The walks are listed from the shortest and easiest to the longest more challenging routes. The walks are divided into sub areas so you can find specific walks.

Cumbria is, for many walkers, the finest county for walking in England. The Lake District National Park offers varied walks in the glorious scenery with high fells reflected in the many lakes and tarns. Part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park also lies in Cumbria with the rounded Howgill fells providing excellent walking and solitude. The North Pennines have great walking with Cross Fell and High Cup Nick the main points of interest. Finally the area around Kirkby Stephen provides many excellent walks. All walks are free to download and print. All routes have free GPS files.

Upper Ribblesdale & Three Peaks Walks

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Walking Highlights. The 'Big Three' peaks of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent are the focus of walking in this area. Yorkshire Dales walks to these summits do not involve any technical difficulties hence their popularity. Personal favourites also include the Norber Erratics, the Ingleton Waterfalls Walk and walks starting from Dentdale.

Where to stay - Settle, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Clapham and Ingleton all provide an ideal base for walking in this area.

Mallerstang & Howgill Fells Walks

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Walking Highlights. The Howgill Fells provide excellent walking and generally see few walkers. Careful navigation is essential as the area is a complex system of ridges and deep valleys. Personal favourites are an evening stroll to Cautley Spout, an ascent of Aran Haw and Winder or Wild Boar Fell in nearby Mallerstang.

Where to stay - Sedbergh, Kirkby Stephen and Ravenstonedale all provide ideal bases for walking in this area.

Far Eastern Fells - High Street, Place Fell & Kentmere Horseshoe Walks

Lake District National Park

Walking Highlights. My favourite Lake District walks in this area include Place Fell with views across Ullswater to Helvellyn, the Angletarn Pikes and Brock Crags, Thornthwaite Beacon and the Roman Road across High Street. The Kentmere Horsehoe also offers great walking and can be shortened if necessary. Routes from Mardale Head on the shores of Haweswater offer excellent variety.

Where to stay - Ambleside, Kendal, Hartsop, Glenridding and Penrith are perfect bases for walking in this area.

Eastern Fells - Fairfield, Striding Edge & Helvellyn Walks

Lake District National Park

Walking Highlights. The most popular walk in this section is Helvellyn via Striding Edge. Helvellyn can also be approached from Thirlmere and be combined with Dollywaggon Pike or the Dodds. A personal favourite is St Sunday Crag. Easier walks to Red Tarn or an ascent of Sheffield Pike, both from Glenridding, also offer worthwhile walks.

Where to stay - Ambleside, Keswick, Hartsop, Glenridding and Grasmere are all ideal valley bases for the routes in this area.

Central Fells - Langdale Pikes & Loughrigg Walks

Lake District National Park

Walking Highlights. For many walkers the Langdale Pikes offer some great Lake District walks and, as a result of this reputation, are the main attraction in this part of Lakeland. Easier walks include Helm Crag, Walla Crag, Loughrigg and routes near Elterwater. The ridge between Bleaberry Fell and Ullscarf offers great views but does suffer from some boggy sections. A personal favourite is an ascent of Steel Fell.

Where to stay - Ambleside, Keswick, Borrowdale, Grasmere, Elterwater and Great Langdale are all ideal valley bases for the routes in this area.

Northern Fells - Skiddaw & Blencathra Walks

Lake District National Park

Walking Highlights. Magnificent Blencathra and Skiddaw are the main attractions. There are many approaches to Blencathra's summit with a traverse of Sharp edge the most challenging. Elsewhere there is plenty of excellent walking on the quiet fells of the Northern Lake District. Personal favourites include Blencathra via Hall's Fell ridge, Bannerdale Crags & Souther Fell and a lonely walk across carrock Fell and High Pike.

Where to stay - Keswick, Penrith, and Caldbeck all provide easy access to this area.

North Western Fells - Grasmoor, Grisedale Pike & Catbells Walks

Lake District National Park

Walking Highlights. This a great area for walking with many notable fells including Grasmoor, Grisedale Pike and Eel Crag. Apart from these lofty fells other Wainwrights worth doing include Causey Pike with its distinctive shape, Lord's Seat, Rannerdale Knotts and the ridge between Ard Crags and Knott Rigg. My personal favourites? Catbells, Dale Head and Robinson.

Where to stay - Keswick, Braithwaite, Buttermere and Borrowdale all provide easy access to this area.

Western Fells - Great Gable, Pllar & Haystacks Walks

Lake District National Park

Walking Highlights. There are many great Lake District walks in this area. Routes to Great Gable, Haystacks, Pillar and the High Stile Ridge all provide excellent walks in the fells. Personal favourites include Fleetwith Pike, Low Fell and the Mosedale Horseshoe. Walks from lonely Ennerdale take you away from the crowds although careful navigation is essential once away from the valley path.

Where to stay - Buttermere, Borrowdale, Wasdale and Ennerdale all provide easy access to this area.

Southern Fells - Bowfell, Scafell & Scafell Pike Walks

Lake District National Park

Walking Highlights. Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England, can be approached from Seathwaite or Wasdale Head. Scafell, Bowfell, Esk Pike, the Crinkle Crags all offer excellent Lake District walks. The Consiton fells also provide excellent walking especially the Old Man, Wetherlam and Dow Crag. Easy walks include beautiful Tarn Hows and the tarns above Eskdale.

Where to stay - Great Langdale, Coniston, Seathwaite (Borrowdale), Wasdale and Eskdale all offer easy access to this area.

Outlying & Lesser Fells Walks

Lake District National Park

Walking Highlights. Not necessarily the easiest Lake District walks, these hikes are scattered around the periphery of the Lake District National Park. Personal favourites include Beacon Fell near Torver and the Scout Scar Limestone Ridge near Kendal.

North Pennines Walks

Cross Fell is the highest summit in the Pennines and is crossed by the Pennine Way. Other fells on the ridge include Great Dun Fell. The views from these hills are superb and with an excellent ridge path the walking is very rewarding. The attractive village of Dufton makes a superb base and the walk to dramatic High Cup Nick is a personal favourite.

South Cumbria Walks

Kirkby Lonsdale in the Lune Valley lies amidst a scenic area. The number of walks is somewhat limited by the lack of convenient footpaths in the area.

North Cumbria Walks

West Cumbria Walks

Eden Valley & Mallerstang Walks

The area around Kirkby Stephen, which is a convenient place to stay, has much to offer walkers. The valley of Mallerstang lies outside National Park boundaries but has a number of fine walks in glorious scenery. Nine Standards Rigg with its tall cairns enjoys a wonderful panorama over the Upper Eden Valley. A personal favourite is the short walk to Fell End Clouds.

Walks that start in adjacent counties / areas.

Walks that start in adjacent counties or areas but cross the boundary and include sections of the route within Cumbria.

★ GPS file ☩ Route profile