Walking guide · Lake District
Lake District Walks
I have walked in the Lakes in every season, in every kind of weather, with kids, with dogs, and on my own. The walking here is exceptional. It also requires genuine preparation. This guide covers the routes worth doing and the things worth knowing before you go.
214
Wainwright fells
OL4–OL7
OS Explorer maps
mwis.org.uk
Best forecast
Year-round
Walking season
Before You Go
The Lake District fells are not a walk in the park
- ⚡Weather changes fast. A clear morning can produce mist and rain by afternoon, turning a straightforward ridge into a navigation problem.
- 🗺️Navigation matters on the high tops. Phone GPS is unreliable in mist and runs out of charge. Carry a printed OS map and know how to use a compass.
- 🌡️Check MWIS (mwis.org.uk) the morning of your walk — not the day before. It gives fell-specific forecasts broken down by area of the national park.
- 👟Proper boots, not trainers. The ankle support and sole grip on wet rock matter. This is the single most common thing that turns a good day bad.
OS Maps
Four 1:25,000 OS Explorer sheets cover the national park: OL4 (The English Lakes, North Western), OL5 (The English Lakes, North Eastern), OL6 (The English Lakes, South Western), OL7 (The English Lakes, South Eastern).
Harvey Superwalker maps are the alternative. Waterproof, fell-walking specific format, slightly clearer for route-finding. Worth the investment if you walk here regularly.
Getting to the Start
National Park car parks fill early on summer weekends. Arrive before 9am at popular starts (Glenridding, Old Dungeon Ghyll, Wasdale Head) or you will be parking on verges half a mile back.
The 555 bus (Windermere to Keswick via Ambleside and Grasmere) and the Keswick Launch give car-free access to many starts. Check the timetables before you rely on them.
Easy Walks and Family Routes
No significant ascent, clear paths, suitable for children and dogs. These are the right walks for a first day, a bad-weather day, or anyone who does not want a fell day.
Tarn Hows Circuit
A 3-mile circuit around an artificial tarn near Coniston, in a setting of mature woodland and fell views. Mostly flat and suitable for pushchairs on the main path. The autumn colours are exceptional.
NT car park. Fills early on summer weekends.
Grasmere Lake Circuit
Flat walking along the lake shore and through the valley meadows. Start from Grasmere village car park, follow the public footpath south along the eastern shore, cross the River Rothay at Miller Bridge, return along the western shore. Good for all ages.
Start from Grasmere village car park.
Easedale Tarn
The ideal family introduction to the mountains. The path climbs steadily up Easedale Valley with Sour Milk Gill waterfall midway. The tarn at 280 metres is the destination. The children will want to throw stones in the tarn. Let them.
From Grasmere village. Clear, signed path throughout.
Stock Ghyll Force
A short woodland waterfall walk from Ambleside market place. The falls drop about 70 feet through mature Victorian-era woodland. A good morning warm-up before moving on. Not a destination in itself but worth the legs for the falls.
20 minutes from Ambleside market place.
Beginner Fells
The first step up from valley walks. These involve real ascent and some effort but are on clear paths throughout, without technical sections. The right introduction to the fells.
Catbells
451m
The introductory fell walk. The path is clear and the final scramble to the summit requires hands but not technical ability. Views over Derwentwater from the ridge are outstanding. Take the Keswick Launch across Derwentwater to Hawes End for the classic approach.
Start: Hawes End jetty (Keswick Launch)
Go early on summer weekends — busy by 10am.
Loughrigg Fell
335m
A slightly less famous but equally good starter fell above Ambleside. The summit plateau is larger than it looks from below and exploring the different viewpoints adds interest. Views over Windermere and the surrounding fells. A good orientation walk on a first visit.
Start: Rothay Park, Ambleside
Multiple ascent routes from Ambleside, Grasmere and Skelwith Bridge.
Hallin Fell
388m
A short, distinctive fell directly above Ullswater on the eastern side. The path from Martindale church to the summit takes 30 minutes. The view down to Ullswater from the rocky summit is one of the best in the eastern Lakes for the effort involved.
Start: CA10 2RD
From Martindale church car park, CA10 2RD. Small and fills early.
Classic Fell Days
Full days on the fells. These require reasonable fitness, proper gear, and the ability to navigate. Not technical routes, but serious walking days.
Fairfield Horseshoe
The most celebrated circuit in the eastern Lakes. Takes in Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Great Rigg, Fairfield, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, and Low Pike. A demanding but not technical day on good paths throughout. Starts and ends in Ambleside.
Demanding but on clear paths throughout. No technical sections.
Langdale Pikes
Harrison Stickle, Pike o'Stickle, Pavey Ark from Old Dungeon Ghyll. A half-day that feels like a proper mountain day. The optional Jack's Rake scramble on Pavey Ark adds serious interest for those with scrambling experience.
Jack's Rake requires scrambling ability and is not suitable in wet conditions.
Coledale Horseshoe
Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head, Eel Crag, Sail, Scar Crags, and Causey Pike from the village of Braithwaite near Keswick. One of the best circuit walks in the north-western fells, consistently underrated compared to the central Lakes routes.
Starts from Braithwaite, 2 miles from Keswick. Limited parking.
Buttermere Round
Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag, and Haystacks (Wainwright's favourite fell) in one circuit, starting and finishing in Buttermere. The combination of high-level ridge walking and two lakes in the valley below is outstanding.
Allow a full day. Haystacks can be left for a separate short day if needed.
The Big Days
These require full fitness, solid navigation, proper gear, and a clear weather forecast. Each of them has sent unprepared walkers to mountain rescue. Plan them seriously.
Helvellyn via Striding Edge
The walk that most experienced walkers in England eventually do. Striding Edge is exposed and requires hands in places but is not technical in dry conditions. In ice or mist it requires care and navigation skill. The summit view, including the dramatic corrie holding Red Tarn, is exceptional.
Striding Edge requires care in ice or mist. Assess conditions before committing.
Scafell Pike
England's highest point at 978 metres. The path from Wasdale Head is rough and the summit plateau requires compass work in mist. Start early and carry more water than you think you need. The Langdale route via Esk Hause is longer but quieter.
Summit plateau requires compass navigation in poor visibility. Busy in summer.
Kentmere Horseshoe
The full traverse of the far eastern fells: Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick, Thornthwaite Crag, High Street, Mardale Ill Bell, Harter Fell, Kentmere Pike. Consistently excellent high-level ridge walking in the least-visited part of the national park.
Remote. Limited escape routes. Plan the route and check the forecast carefully.
What to Bring
This is not a comprehensive kit list. These are the things that matter. Getting these right is the difference between a good day and a bad one.
Waterproofs
Jacket and overtrousers. Not a shower jacket. Proper waterproofs that will hold in sustained rain.
Walking boots
Not trainers. Ankle support and a sole that grips wet rock. The two things that prevent most incidents on the fells.
OS Map + compass
1:25,000 OS Explorer: OL4, OL5, OL6, OL7 cover the national park. Harvey Superwalker maps are an alternative. Printed.
Weather forecast
MWIS at mwis.org.uk gives the best fell-specific forecast. Check it the morning of your walk, not the day before.
Water
1 litre per person minimum for a half-day. 2 litres for a full day. More in warm conditions.
Food + warm layer
Enough food for the planned duration plus an unplanned hour. A fleece or down jacket for summits and rest stops.
Before you leave the car park
Waterproofs accessible, not at the bottom of the bag
Printed OS map for the right area (not just the app)
Compass and ability to take a bearing
Weather forecast checked this morning
Someone at home knows your route and return time
Phone charged and OS Maps app downloaded offline
Enough food and water for the planned route plus an extra hour
First aid kit including a blister kit
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best walk in the Lake District for beginners?+
Catbells above Keswick. Accessible, short (2 to 3 hours return from Hawes End jetty), with excellent views over Derwentwater. Loughrigg Fell above Ambleside is another good starter. Both give a proper fell experience without the commitment of the higher mountains.
What is the best walk in the Lake District?+
Striding Edge on Helvellyn is the most celebrated route. The Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside, the Coniston Fells circuit, and the Buttermere round (Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag, Haystacks) are all serious contenders. It depends what you want from a day in the hills.
How do I get to Scafell Pike?+
The most popular route is from Wasdale Head (CA20 1EX, NT car park). 5.6 miles return, 900m ascent, 5 to 6 hours. The Langdale route via Esk Hause is longer but wilder. Start early. The summit gets busy in summer and the weather can change fast.
What should I bring for a Lake District walk?+
Proper waterproofs (jacket and trousers). Boots with ankle support and grip. A map and compass. Phone GPS is unreliable in mist and runs out of charge at the wrong moment. Water and food for the full day. A warm layer for summits even in summer. The weather changes fast.
Are Lake District walks suitable for families with children?+
Many are. Easedale Tarn from Grasmere, Tarn Hows near Coniston (essentially flat), the lake circuits at Windermere and Grasmere, and Catbells with the boat approach are all appropriate for children. The high fells require full adult fitness and navigation ability.
