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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

★ GPS file ☩ Route profile