Walks in the Lake District
47 routes, from 13 easy, 18 moderate, 13 hard and 3 mountain. Each has a route map, the climb worked out from the line, parking, dog and stile notes, and a GPX to download. For things to do, food and where to stay, see our The Lake District guide.
Easedale Tarn from Grasmere
Moderate, 8.6 km, 227 m up, about 2 hours
Grasmere's classic tarn walk: up beside the white cascades of Sourmilk Gill to a big mountain tarn, back by Far Easedale.
Helm Crag from Grasmere
Moderate, 6.6 km, 326 m up, about 2 hours
Grasmere's own fell: a short, steep climb from Easedale to the rocky crest known as the Lion and the Lamb, with an exposed summit block for those who want it.
Silver How from Grasmere
Moderate, 5.8 km, 370 m up, about 2 hours
Grasmere's own little fell: a short circuit to a rocky summit with one of the finest views of the vale, the lake and the Langdale Pikes.
Stickle Tarn from the New Dungeon Ghyll
Moderate, 3.2 km, 379 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes
The best short climb in Great Langdale: up the tumbling Stickle Ghyll from the New Dungeon Ghyll to Stickle Tarn under the cliffs of Pavey Ark.
Alcock Tarn from Grasmere
Moderate, 5.4 km, 312 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes
A short, steep climb from Grasmere to a quiet fellside tarn, with one of the best views of the vale on the way down past Dove Cottage.
Bowfell from the Old Dungeon Ghyll via The Band and Three Tarns
Hard, 13.1 km, 844 m up, about 4 hours
The classic Langdale round: up The Band to Three Tarns, a rocky climb to Bowfell's summit, then down by Ore Gap, Angle Tarn and Rossett Gill to Mickleden.
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.
Lingmoor Fell and Side Pike from Elterwater
Moderate, 11.6 km, 536 m up, about 3 hours
A small fell with a huge view: from Elterwater through old slate quarries to Lingmoor's ridge, over Side Pike above Blea Tarn, and back along Great Langdale.
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.
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.
Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside
Moderate, 10.2 km, 413 m up, about 2 hours 30 minutes
Ambleside's own fell: over the knobbly top of Loughrigg, along Loughrigg Terrace above Grasmere, past Rydal Cave and home by the River Rothay.
The Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside
Hard, 19.5 km, 1018 m up, about 5 hours 30 minutes
One of the great Lakeland rounds: from Ambleside up Nab Scar and over eight tops around the Rydal valley, with Fairfield's summit at the head.
Wansfell Pike and Troutbeck from Ambleside
Hard, 11.6 km, 602 m up, about 3 hours 30 minutes
Ambleside's own fell: past Stock Ghyll Force to Wansfell Pike, down Nanny Lane to Troutbeck, home through Skelghyll Woods and Jenkin Crag.
Great Gable from Honister via Moses' Trod
Hard, 9.7 km, 822 m up, about 3 hours 30 minutes
A big-mountain day from a high start: out along the old smugglers' track of Moses' Trod to Beck Head, up Great Gable, and home over Green Gable, Brandreth and Grey Knotts.
Castle Crag from Grange
Moderate, 6.2 km, 279 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes
The smallest Wainwright with the biggest personality: up through old slate workings to Castle Crag's summit memorial, then down past Millican Dalton's cave.
Helvellyn by the Pony Path from Glenridding
Hard, 20.4 km, 1132 m up, about 6 hours
Helvellyn without the scrambles: up the old pony path from Glenridding via Keppel Cove, along the summit ridge to Dollywaggon Pike and home down Grisedale.
Helvellyn via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge
Mountain, 13.3 km, 955 m up, about 4 hours 30 minutes
England's most famous ridge scramble: from Glenridding over the knife edge of Striding Edge to Helvellyn, then down Swirral Edge past Red Tarn.
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.
Place Fell from Patterdale
Moderate, 7.6 km, 542 m up, about 2 hours 30 minutes
The best viewpoint over Ullswater for the effort: up from Patterdale to Boredale Hause and Place Fell, then down by The Knight to the lakeshore path.
The Old Man of Coniston via the Coppermines and Walna Scar
Hard, 11.7 km, 772 m up, about 3 hours 30 minutes
Coniston's mountain by its most interesting line: up through the old copper and slate workings to Low Water and the summit, down by Goat's Water and Walna Scar.
Haystacks from Gatesgarth
Hard, 7.7 km, 529 m up, about 2 hours 30 minutes
A small fell with a big character: from Gatesgarth over Scarth Gap to the craggy top of Haystacks, past Innominate Tarn and down Warnscale.
Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head
Mountain, 8.7 km, 969 m up, about 3 hours 30 minutes
The shortest way up England's highest mountain: from the head of Wastwater by Lingmell Gill and Brown Tongue to the summit of Scafell Pike.
Catbells from Gutherscale
Moderate, 7.1 km, 422 m up, about 2 hours
Keswick's favourite little fell: up the north ridge of Catbells to a rocky top over Derwentwater, down from Hause Gate and back along the terrace path.
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.
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.
Walla Crag from Keswick
Moderate, 10.6 km, 377 m up, about 2 hours 30 minutes
A half-day round from Keswick over Castlehead to the cliff-top of Walla Crag, down to Ashness Bridge and home along the Derwentwater shore.
Causey Pike and Scar Crags from Stoneycroft
Hard, 8.7 km, 678 m up, about 3 hours
Newlands' best short ridge: up the rocky steps of Rowling End to the knobbly top of Causey Pike, along to Scar Crags, and back past the old Stoneycroft mines.
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.
Latrigg from Keswick
Moderate, 4.9 km, 292 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes
Keswick's own small fell: up Spooney Green Lane and the zigzags to a grassy top with one of the finest views of Derwentwater in the Lakes.
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.
The Kentmere Horseshoe
Hard, 21.2 km, 1157 m up, about 6 hours
A long, classic round of nine Wainwrights from Kentmere: up the Garburn Road to Yoke and Ill Bell, over High Street, and home by Harter Fell and Shipman Knotts.
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.
Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag from Buttermere
Hard, 14.1 km, 839 m up, about 4 hours
One of Lakeland's great ridge walks: up past Bleaberry Tarn to Red Pike, along the crags to High Stile and High Crag, then down Gamlin End to Scarth Gap and the lake.
Hallin Fell and the Ullswater shore from Martindale
Moderate, 5.0 km, 266 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes
Ullswater's best small fell: a 20-minute pull to a huge summit cairn, then a loop round the wooded shore past Kailpot Crag.
Carron Crag trail, Grizedale Forest
Moderate, 8.3 km, 257 m up, about 2 hours
Grizedale's purple waymarked trail from the visitor centre to Carron Crag, the forest's highest point, with views to the Coniston fells.
Skiddaw from the Latrigg car park (Gale Road)
Hard, 10.7 km, 755 m up, about 3 hours 30 minutes
The quickest honest way up Skiddaw: the old pony track from the top of Gale Road, up Jenkin Hill and along the stony summit ridge to the trig point.
High Street from Mardale Head via Rough Crag
Hard, 9.6 km, 632 m up, about 3 hours
High Street's finest side: up the long ridge of Rough Crag and Long Stile above Haweswater, then down by Mardale Ill Bell, Nan Bield Pass and Small Water.
Grisedale Pike and Hopegill Head from Braithwaite
Hard, 12.5 km, 855 m up, about 4 hours
Braithwaite's big fell: straight up the ridge to Grisedale Pike, along the rim of Hobcarton Crag to Hopegill Head, and back down Coledale past the old Force Crag Mine.
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.
Ullswater Way: Howtown to Glenridding
Moderate, 11.3 km, 317 m up, about 3 hours
A favourite low-level Lakes walk: steamer to Howtown, then home along the wild eastern shore of Ullswater to Glenridding.
Rannerdale Knotts and the bluebell valley
Moderate, 5.3 km, 356 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes
A small fell with a big view over Crummock Water, climbed via Rannerdale, the valley famous for its May carpet of bluebells.
Blencathra via Sharp Edge from Scales
Mountain, 9.4 km, 840 m up, about 3 hours 30 minutes
The Lake District's sharpest ridge: up from Scales to Scales Tarn, along the knife edge of Sharp Edge to Blencathra's summit, and down Scales Fell.
Dodd from Dodd Wood (Old Sawmill)
Moderate, 5.0 km, 382 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes
A steep woodland climb from the Old Sawmill to a summit with a view over Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and across the Solway to Scotland.
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.
Dunmallard Hill from Pooley Bridge
Easy, 2.1 km, 111 m up, about 30 minutes
A short woodland loop from Pooley Bridge over the wooded knoll at the foot of Ullswater, with the remains of an Iron Age fort on top.
Gummer's How above Windermere
Easy, 2.0 km, 115 m up, about 30 minutes
The quickest big view of Windermere: a short climb from a free Forestry England car park to a trig point looking up the whole length of the lake.
Scout Scar and Cunswick Scar from Kendal
Moderate, 10.3 km, 260 m up, about 2 hours 30 minutes
Kendal's doorstep classic: over Kendal Fell to the limestone edges of Cunswick Scar and Scout Scar, with the whole Lake District skyline from the Mushroom.