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Only Cumbria

Accessible walks

These routes are low level with no stiles. Surfaces and gradients vary, so read the terrain notes on each walk before you set out with a wheelchair or pushchair.

The National Park Authority grades its own step-free routes as Miles without Stiles on its website, with notes on gradients, surfaces and suitability for different users. It is the best place to check before a trip.

Easy walks with no stiles

Aira Force waterfall loop

Easy, 1.5 km, 50 m up, about 30 minutes

A short woodland loop on National Trust land above Ullswater to the foot and top of Aira Force, one of the Lakes' best known waterfalls.

Borrowdale valley loop: Seatoller, Rosthwaite and Stonethwaite

Easy, 7.6 km, 199 m up, about 2 hours

A low-level ramble through the heart of Borrowdale: Johnny Wood, the River Derwent, Rosthwaite and the quiet side valley to Stonethwaite.

Brant Fell from Bowness

Easy, 5.6 km, 175 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes

A short loop from Bowness over Post Knott to the rocky top of Brant Fell, with one of the best views over Windermere, returning on the Dales Way.

Buttermere lake circuit

Easy, 8.8 km, 122 m up, about 2 hours

A level walk all the way round Buttermere, with a lakeshore tunnel, a beach at the head of the lake and the High Stile ridge towering above.

Castlerigg Stone Circle from Keswick

Easy, 6.3 km, 130 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes

An easy walk from Keswick to Castlerigg, the stone circle ringed by fells, out along the old railway line and lanes and back through farmland.

Elterwater to Skelwith Force

Easy, 5.4 km, 36 m up, about 1 hour

A level riverside walk from Elterwater village, past the lake and through meadows to the falls at Skelwith Force. No stiles.

Friar's Crag and the Derwentwater shore from Keswick

Easy, 3.2 km, 6 m up, about 30 minutes

Keswick's favourite short stroll: from Theatre by the Lake to the Friar's Crag viewpoint, then on along the shore and boardwalk. Mostly step-free.

Kirkby Lonsdale, Devil's Bridge and Ruskin's View

Easy, 2.2 km, 47 m up, about 30 minutes

A short loop from the medieval Devil's Bridge into Kirkby Lonsdale, to Ruskin's View over the Lune, and back along the river.

Loweswater and Holme Wood from Maggie's Bridge

Easy, 3.8 km, 5 m up, about 1 hour

A level, fully accessible walk along the quiet south shore of Loweswater into the oaks of Holme Wood. A Miles without Stiles route for all.

Orrest Head from Windermere station

Easy, 2.5 km, 108 m up, about 30 minutes

A short climb straight from Windermere station through woodland to Orrest Head, a 360 degree viewpoint over Windermere and the central fells.

Ravenglass to the Roman bath house

Easy, 1.8 km, 5 m up, about 30 minutes

An easy, step-free walk from Ravenglass along Walls Drive to one of the tallest Roman buildings still standing in northern Britain.

Rydal Water and Rydal Cave from Pelter Bridge

Easy, 6.8 km, 231 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes

A full circuit of Rydal Water: the old Coffin Route, the River Rothay to Grasmere, Loughrigg Terrace and the great slate cavern of Rydal Cave.

Talkin Tarn circuit, near Brampton

Easy, 2.3 km, 7 m up, about 30 minutes

A flat, hard-surfaced loop round the tarn at Talkin Tarn Country Park, with a tearoom at the boathouse. Good for wheelchairs, buggies and dogs.

Tarn Hows circular walk

Easy, 3.0 km, 38 m up, about 30 minutes

An easy loop on a good path around Tarn Hows, the wooded tarn between Coniston and Hawkshead with the Langdale and Coniston fells behind.