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Lake District Walks
Walking Routes & Hiking Trails

Find Lake District 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.

200+ Great Lake District walks with detailed route descriptions, excellent mapping, photos and GPX files. The walks include all the major summits and 'Wainwrights' in the Lake District National Park including Scafell Pike the highest mountain in England. The list is divided into areas using Alfred Wainwright's tried and tested classification.

Popular centres for walking include Keswick (for Borrowdale and Derwentwater), Grasmere, Ambleside (for Fairfield), Glenridding (for Ullswater, Helvellyn & Striding Edge), Seathwaite (for Great Gable and Scafell Pike), Langdale (for Bowfell & the Crinkle Crags), Coniston, Buttermere and Wasdale Head (for Scafell, Great Gable & Pillar).

Area walks and walking guides

Useful guides to walks and walking from these popular centres. Includes places to stay, local amenities and the best walking routes.

 

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

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.


 
WalkDescriptionGradeMiles
1143Hallin Fell from Martindale Church, Sandwickeasy2.00
1109★☩Harter Fell & Nan Bield Pass from Mardale Headmoderate4.50
3033★☩Tarn Crag & Harrop Pike from Sadgillmoderate5.50
1959★☩Gray Crag and Pasture Beck from Hartsopmoderate5.50
1152★☩The Corpse Road and Selside Pike from Mardalemoderate6.00
1228★☩Thornthwaite Beacon & High Street from Hartsopmoderate6.50
1110★☩Angletarn Pikes from Hartsopmoderate7.00
2047★☩Place Fell from Patterdalemoderate7.50
1269★☩High Street & Kidsty Pike from Mardale Headmoderate7.50
2060★☩The Angletarn Pikes and Brock Crags from Hartsopmoderate8.00
1462★☩Mardale Head horseshoemoderate8.00
1147★☩Longsleddale and Kentmere Pike from Sadgillmoderate8.00
3670★☩Angle Tarn and Hayeswater from Patterdalemoderate8.30
3309★☩Hartsop, Hartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike & Kirkstone Passmoderate8.50
1242★☩Bannerdale, Boredale & Beda Head from Martindalemoderate9.00
1241★☩Arthur's Pike & Loadpot Hill from Martindalemoderate9.00
2464Kentmere Valley Circular from Staveleymoderate10.00
2585★☩Hartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike, High St. & The Knottmod/hard10.00
1320★☩Shorter Kentmere Horseshoemod/hard10.50
2631★☩Martindale High-level Circuitmod/hard11.00
3388★☩Hayeswater and Angle Tarn from Hartsopmod/hard11.50
2425★☩Boredale Circular from Patterdalemod/hard11.50
2652★☩Photographer's Kentmere Horseshoemod/hard13.50
 

Eastern Fells - Fairfield, Striding Edge & Helvellyn Walks

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.


 
WalkDescriptionGradeMiles
3519High Sweden Bridge from Amblesideeasy/mod3.00
2039Gowbarrow Fell circularmoderate3.50
3232★☩Glenridding Dodd & Sheffield Pike easy/mod4.50
2841Seat Sandal via Grisedale Tarn from Grasmeremoderate5.00
2254★☩Grisedale Tarn from Grasmeremoderate5.50
1230★☩Birks & Arnison Crag from Patterdalemoderate5.50
2327★☩Red Tarn & Birkhouse Moor from Glenriddingmoderate6.00
1247★☩Helvellyn & Raise from Swirlsmod/hard7.00
1235★☩Red Tarn & Grisedale from Glenriddingmoderate7.00
3668★☩Catstye Cam from Glenriddingmod/hard7.00
2049★☩Calfhow Pike & the Dodds from Legburthwaitemoderate7.50
1023★☩Wansfell Pike & Wansfell from Amblesideeasy/mod7.50
1229★☩Helvellyn & Dollywaggon Pike from Wythburnmoderate8.00
2364★☩Clough Head via Great Dodd from near Dockraymoderate8.10
2025★☩Helvellyn & Wythburn from Swirlsmod/hard8.50
2386★☩Red Screes via Dove Crag from Cow Bridgemod/hard8.60
3423★☩Dove Crag & Red Screes - Scandale Horseshoemod/hard9.50
1170★☩Fairfield Horseshoe (short route) from Amblesidemod/hard9.50
1156★☩Helvellyn via Striding Edge from Glenriddinghard9.50
3034★☩Red Screes & Other Fells from Amblesidemod/hard10.00
1002★☩The Fairfield Horseshoe from Amblesidemod/hard11.00
1710★☩Glenridding, St. Sunday Crag & Helvellynhard11.50
1520★☩Helvellyn & Fairfield Horseshoe from Patterdalevery hard13.00
1823★☩Fairfield Horseshoe & Loughrigg from High Close mod/hard14.00
 

Central Fells - Langdale Pikes & Loughrigg Walks

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.


 
WalkDescriptionGradeMiles
2032Great How, a short ascent above Thirlmereeasy2.00
3625Silver How from Grasmereeasy3.20
2321Shores of Derwentwater from Keswick easy3.50
1141Elterwater circulareasy/mod4.00
2026Loughrigg from Pelter Bridge near Rydaleasy/mod4.00
2019Raven Crag, the Benn & Shoulthwaite Gill near Thirlmereeasy/mod4.00
3697Loughrigg Fell from Skelwith Bridgeeasy/mod4.50
1356Walla Crag from Great Woodeasy/mod4.50
1059Colwith Force and Skelwith Force from Elterwatereasy/mod4.80
2524Thirlmere Circulareasy5.00
2005High Rigg & Legburthwaiteeasy5.50
1158High Rigg from Legburthwaiteeasy5.50
1682Rydal Water & Grasmere easy/mod5.50
2715Skelwith Bridge & Loughrigg from Elterwatereasy/mod5.50
1565Rydal Water & Grasmere circulareasy/mod6.00
2582★☩Pike o' Stickle, Harrison Stickle & Pavey Arkmoderate6.00
1736★☩Langdale Pikes and High Raise FROM New Dungeon Ghyllmod/hard6.10
2042★☩The Langdale Pikes with an ascent of Jack's Rakevery hard6.25
3075Rydal Water & Loughrigg from Amblesideeasy/mod6.50
3029Derwentwater & Walla Crag from Keswickeasy/mod6.50
3328★☩Eagle Crag & Seargeant's Crag from Stonethwaitemoderate7.00
1472Alcock Tarn & Rydal Water from Grasmereeasy/mod7.00
2932★☩Green Burn horseshoe from Grasmeremoderate7.00
2525Standing Crag & Dock Tarn from Watendlathmoderate7.00
3132★☩High Tove & Blea Tarn from Armbothmoderate7.60
1693Grange & Watendlath from Rosthwaiteeasy/mod7.60
2073★☩Harrison Stickle, Pike o'Stickle & Rosset Pike moderate8.25
2587Castlerigg Stone Circle & St John's in the Valeeasy/mod8.50
1108Ashness Bridge & Grange Fell from Kettelwellmoderate9.00
3037★☩High Seat & Bleaberry Fell from Keswickmoderate9.00
1154Between Grasmere and Langdalemoderate9.50
1111★☩High Raise & Helm Crag from Grasmeremod/hard9.50
3133★☩Ullscarf and Watendlath from Stonethwaitemod/hard10.00
2526★☩Standing Crag, Ullscarf & Borrowdalemod/hard10.00
 

Northern Fells - Skiddaw & Blencathra Walks

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.


 
WalkDescriptionGradeMiles
2351Caldbeck & Watersmeet from Hesket Newmarket easy4.30
2612Roughton Gill, Caldbeck Fellseasy4.50
1008★☩Blencathra via Sharp Edge from Scalesmod/hard5.00
1506★☩Sharp Edge & Blencathra from Scalesmod/hard5.00
2390★☩High Pike from Fell Sidemoderate5.20
1676★☩Ullock Pike, Long Side and Carl Sidemoderate5.50
2040★☩Ullock Pike & Carlside from near Keswickmoderate5.50
3283★☩Great Cockup and Meal Fell from Longlandsmoderate6.00
1188★☩Blencathra via Hall's Fell ridge from Scalesmod/hard6.00
1177★☩Great Sca Fell via Trusmadoorfrom Longlandsmoderate6.50
2244★☩Whitewater Dash and Great Calvamoderate7.00
1214★☩Carrock Fell & High Pike from Mosedalemoderate7.00
1354★☩Bannerdale Crags & Souther Fell from Mungrisdalemoderate7.50
1244★☩Lonscale Fell & Latrigg from Underscarmoderate7.50
3470★☩Blencathra via Foule Crag from Scalesmod/hard8.00
1073★☩Skiddaw & Glenderaterra Beck from Underscarmoderate9.00
1101★☩Carrock Fell, High Pike and Knott from Mosedalemoderate11.00
 

North Western Fells - Grasmoor, Grisedale Pike & Catbells Walks

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.


 
WalkDescriptionGradeMiles
2020★☩Rannerdale Knotts and Crummock Water from Cinderdale Commoneasy/mod2.50
1011★☩Knott Rigg and Ard Crags from Newlands Hauseeasy/mod3.50
3525★☩Cat Bells (Route 2) from Gutherscaleeasy/mod4.00
2041★☩Barf (via the Bishop) and Lords Seatmod/hard4.00
2036★☩Cat Bells from Gutherscaleeasy/mod4.00
1142Buttermere Circulareasy4.50
1245★☩Castle Crag & Grange from Seatollereasy/mod6.00
2038★☩Tower Ridge on Eel Crag returning via Sail & Barrowhard6.25
1155★☩Causey Pike from Stoneycroft, near Braithwaitemoderate6.25
1187★☩Robinson & Hindscarth from Newlandsmod/hard6.50
1231★☩Grasmoor via Whiteless Pike from Cinderdale Commonmoderate7.00
2021★☩Whiteside, Hopegill Head & Grisedale Pikemoderate7.50
1268★☩Cat Bells & High Spy from Grangemoderate8.00
2539★☩Grasmoor and Rannerdale Knotts from Crummock Watermoderate8.00
2609★☩Grasmoor via Crag Hill from Buttermere villagemod/hard8.00
2581★☩Lord's Seat & Barf from Whinlattermoderate8.50
1120★☩Grisedale Pike & Crag Hill fro Braithwaitemod/hard8.50
1732★☩Coledale and Newlands circular from near Buttermerehard9.00
3119★☩The Newlands Horseshoe - Catbells, Dale Head & Hindscarth mod/hard12.00
 

Western Fells - Great Gable, Pllar & Haystacks Walks

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.


 
WalkDescriptionGradeMiles
3485High Birkhow & Low Wood from Wast Watereasy4.20
1176★☩Yewbarrow from Wasdalemoderate4.50
3489Scale Bridge & Low Wood from Greendaleeasy5.20
3676★☩Hen Comb from Loweswatermoderate5.40
1065★☩Haystacks from Honister Passmoderate5.50
1826★☩Green Gable & Gillercomb Horseshoe from Seathwaitemoderate5.50
1246Black Sail Pass & Beck Head from Wasdale Headmoderate5.50
1289★☩Fleetwith Pike & Haystacks from Gatescarthmoderate5.50
2182★☩Styhead Tarn & Sprinkling Tarn from Seathwaitemoderate5.60
1306★☩Base Brown & Great Gable from Seathwaitemod/hard6.00
1302Low Fell and Fellbarrow from Loweswatereasy/mod6.00
1671★☩Grike & Crag Fell from Ennerdale Bridgeeasy/mod6.60
1303★☩Buckbarrow, Seatallan & Middle Fell from Loweswatermoderate7.00
1236★☩Styhead Tarn and Seathwaite Fell from Seathwaitemoderate7.00
1290★☩Mellbreak from Loweswatermoderate7.00
3667Ennerdale Water Circularmoderate7.10
1112★☩Great Gable from Honister Passhard7.25
2900★☩Pillar (by the High Level Path) from Wasdalemod/hard8.00
2735★☩Fleetwith Pike and Buttermere Circularmod/hard8.50
1153★☩The High Stile Ridge from Buttermerehard10.00
2341★☩Circuit of Nether Beck and Over Beck from Wasdalehard11.25
1126★☩Mosedale Horseshoe from Wasdale Headhard11.50
1444★☩Great Gable (Borrowdale route) from Borrowdale Youth Hostelhard12.00
1690★☩Netherbeck Horseshoe - Middle Fell, Steeple & Red Pike from Wasdale Headmod/hard12.50
1745★☩Grike and Caw Fell from Kinniside Stone Circlemod/hard13.50
2058★☩Ennerdale Skyline incl. Steeple & other fellsmod/hard13.75
2642★☩Buttermere Horseshoevery hard14.00
1082★☩Ennerdale Horseshoe from Bowness Knottsevere18.00
 

Southern Fells - Bowfell, Scafell & Scafell Pike Walks

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.


 
WalkDescriptionGradeMiles
3508★☩The Crinkle Crags from Wrynose Passeasy/mod5.00
1301Great Stickle & Stickle Pike FROM near Ulphamoderate5.00
1171★☩Pike o' Blisco from Blea Tarnmoderate5.00
2033★☩Tilberthwaite & Wetherlammoderate5.00
1175Combe Gill circuit from Seatollermoderate5.50
2270Tilberthwaite and Holme Fell Little Langdaleeasy/mod5.50
1932★☩Slight Side from Whahouse Bridge moderate5.60
2675Eel Tarn and Stony Tarn from Eskdaleeasy/mod6.00
2034★☩Scafell from Wasdale Headhard6.50
2355Blea Tarn & Eskdale Green from Booteasy/mod6.50
1916★☩Harter Fell and Low Birker Tarn from Hardknott Passmoderate6.50
3028Tarn Hows & Tom Gill from Conistoneasy/mod6.50
1299Green Crag from Eskdalemoderate6.50
1761Tom Heights and Tarn Hows from Conistoneasy/mod7.00
1132★☩Great Langdale & The Crinkle Cragsmod/hard7.00
3220★☩Wetherlam via Red Dell from Conistonmoderate7.00
2818★☩Bowfell Circular from Great Langdalemod/hard7.00
1684★☩Lingmoor Fell & Langdale from Elterwatereasy/mod7.00
2046★☩Great End via the north west face from Seathwaitevery hard7.00
2800★☩The Scafells via Piers Gill from Wasdale Headmod/hard7.50
2037★☩Bowfell & Rosset Pike via the Climber's Traversehard7.50
2229Tarns of Eskdaleeasy/mod7.50
1692★☩Great End & Glaramara from Seathwaitemod/hard7.70
1739★☩Crinkle Crags and Bowfell (Oxendale Horseshoe) hard7.80
2467Green Crag & Harter Fell from Jubilee Bridgemoderate7.90
3130★☩Scafell Pike via Esk Hause from Seathwaitemod/hard8.00
1144★☩Lingmoor Fell from Blea Tarnmoderate8.00
3096★☩Glaramara & Allen Crags from Seathwaitemoderate8.10
3110★☩The Old Man of Coniston & Dow Crag from Torvermod/hard8.50
1217★☩Dow Crag & the Old Man of Coniston from Conistonmod/hard8.50
1207★☩Great & Little Langdales FROM New Dungeon Ghyllmoderate8.50
1157★☩Bowfell and Esk Pike from Old Dungeon Ghyllhard8.75
2718★☩The Scafells from Wasdale Headmod/hard9.00
1114★☩Scafell Pike via Corridor Route from Seathwaitehard9.50
2361★☩Scafell & Slight Side from Eskdalehard9.50
1134★☩Wetherlam and The Carrs from Little Langdalemod/hard10.75
2362★☩Scafell Pike and Scafell from Eskdalevery hard11.00
2226★☩The Scafells from Eskdalevery hard12.00
3419★☩Scafell Pike an Eskdale circular from Brotherilkeld,very hard12.50
1911★☩Coniston's Magnificent Sevenhard13.00
 

Outlying & Lesser Fells Walks

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.


 
WalkDescriptionGradeMiles
2053Claife Heights & Near Sawreyeasy2.50
3320Grizedale Tarn circulareasy2.50
3638Satterthwaite Bridge Circulareasy3.20
3410Latterbarrow from Hawksheadeasy4.00
1124Beacon Tarn & The Beacon from near Torvereasy/mod4.00
1058Beacon Fell & Beacon Tarn Circular from Coniston Watereasy/mod4.00
3590Orrest Head & Allen Knott from Windermereeasy4.40
2281White Combe FROM near Whichameasy/mod4.50
2721Scout Scar Limestone Ridgeeasy/mod5.00
1668Silver Knott & Muncaster Fell from Irton Road easy/mod5.00
2143Whitbarrow & Lord's Seat from Whitebeckeasy/mod5.40
3234Gummers How via Chapel House Wood, South Lake Districteasy/mod5.50
3451Underbarrow, Lord's Lot and Crossthwaiteeasy/mod5.60
1049Staveley Tarns circulareasy/mod6.00
2271Black Combe from near Stoneside Hilleasy/mod6.30
3549★☩Whitbarrow Scar from Mill Sidemoderate6.50
1463School Knott & Grandsire from Ingseasy/mod6.50
1555Brunt Knott from Staveley easy/mod7.00
3199Whitbarrow Fell from Mill Sidemoderate7.00
2453Askham Fell from Lowther Castleeasy/mod7.40
1417Astley's Plantation & Simpson's Ground from Gummers Howeasy/mod7.50
3452★☩Ghyll Head & Strawberry Bank Circularmoderate7.60
3453★☩Whinfell Beacon & Borrowdalemoderate8.40
1148Scout Scar from Sizerghmoderate11.00
1045Levens Bridge to Kendaleasy/mod11.50

★ GPS file ☩ Route profile

Location Map

location map

Lake District Guide

Walking in the Lake District National Park is amongst the best in the British Isles. The natural beauty has attracted many artists and writers through the centuries and today the same scenery provides the perfect backdrop to a wide variety of walks. The National Park is located wholly within Cumbria with Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick the main tourist towns. For many this is the finest area in England for walking with a wide variety of scenery. Even on the busiest weekends it is possible to get away from the crowds by carefully selecting one of the less-visited fells.
Lake District Walking Guide

Other walks in Britain - For a list of all the areas where walks are available go to the Main Walk Index.

Walk grading - Learn how each walk is assessed and select a walk to suit your ability and experience by going to Walk Grading Details.

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