Walks in Cumbria

Every route here is drawn on real paths with its distance and climb worked out from the line. Each one has parking, dog and stile notes, a GPX to download, and a link that takes you to the start in Google Maps.

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.

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.

Arnside Knott and the shore from Arnside

Moderate, 9.9 km, 286 m up, about 2 hours 30 minutes

Arnside's best walk: along the Kent estuary shore to Far Arnside, then up to the toposcope on Arnside Knott for a view over Morecambe Bay.

Black Combe from Whicham church

Hard, 7.1 km, 559 m up, about 2 hours 30 minutes

The great sea-facing fell at the south-west corner of the Lake District, climbed on a clear bridleway from Whicham's church.

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.

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.

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.

Bowness-on-Solway and Port Carlisle

Easy, 6.7 km, 11 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes

The end of Hadrian's Wall: from Bowness-on-Solway along the Solway shore to the old canal port at Port Carlisle, back by farm lanes.

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.

Carlisle riverside: Bitts Park, Rickerby Park and the Eden

Easy, 3.9 km, 6 m up, about 1 hour

A flat city loop from the castle side of Bitts Park, over the Eden into Rickerby Park and back by the Memorial Bridge and riverside paths.

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.

Cartmel, Speel Bank and How Barrow

Moderate, 10.2 km, 195 m up, about 2 hours 30 minutes

From Cartmel Priory and the racecourse through Park Wood to Speel Bank, south along the Ellerside ridge past How Barrow and back by the lanes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cautley Spout and The Calf from the Cross Keys

Hard, 10.4 km, 593 m up, about 3 hours

England's highest cascade above ground, climbed beside its falls, then a round of the Howgills' high tops by Cautley Crag and The Calf.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gelt Woods and Greenwell from Low Gelt Bridge

Moderate, 9.1 km, 204 m up, about 2 hours

Field paths over Watch Hill to Greenwell, then home through the wooded gorge of the River Gelt below the old Brampton quarries.

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.

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.

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.

Hadrian's Wall: Birdoswald to Willowford and Gilsland

Easy, 5.1 km, 78 m up, about 1 hour

The best short stretch of Hadrian's Wall in Cumbria: from Birdoswald fort over the Irthing to Willowford's wall and bridge, and on to Poltross Burn milecastle.

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.

Hampsfell Hospice from Grange-over-Sands

Moderate, 7.8 km, 362 m up, about 2 hours

Grange's own hill: through Eggerslack Wood to the 1846 Hospice on Hampsfell, with a rooftop view indicator and Morecambe Bay below.

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.

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.

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.

High Cup Nick from Dufton

Hard, 18.4 km, 586 m up, about 4 hours 30 minutes

The great U-shaped chasm of the North Pennines, reached over wild moorland from Dufton and followed home along its rim on the Pennine Way.

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.

Hoad Hill and the Sir John Barrow Monument from Ulverston

Moderate, 4.5 km, 109 m up, about 1 hour

Ulverston's landmark walk: up The Gill and over Flan Hill to the lighthouse-shaped Barrow Monument on the Hoad, with Morecambe Bay below.

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.

Lanercost Priory and Hadrian's Wall

Moderate, 6.7 km, 115 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes

A gentle loop from Lanercost Priory up to the line of Hadrian's Wall at Hare Hill, west along the Wall and back beside the River Irthing.

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.

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.

Long Meg and Lacy's Caves from Little Salkeld

Moderate, 9.3 km, 135 m up, about 2 hours

Eden's finest short walk: a great Neolithic stone circle, a riverside wood and the red sandstone chambers of Lacy's Caves above the Eden.

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.

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.

Maryport harbour, the sea brows and the Roman fort

Easy, 5.7 km, 47 m up, about 1 hour

From Maryport's harbour up the Georgian town to the Senhouse Roman Museum, along the sea brows above the Solway and back on the promenade.

Muncaster Fell from Ravenglass to Irton Road

Moderate, 9.6 km, 303 m up, about 2 hours 30 minutes

A one-way walk from Ravenglass past the Roman bath house and over Muncaster Fell, returning on the Ravenglass and Eskdale steam railway.

Nine Standards Rigg from Kirkby Stephen

Hard, 17.5 km, 555 m up, about 4 hours 30 minutes

Kirkby Stephen's skyline cairns, reached by the Coast to Coast path over Hartley Fell and home through Ladthwaite and the old railway viaducts.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Silloth to Skinburness and Grune Point

Easy, 10.5 km, 5 m up, about 2 hours

Along the Silloth promenade to Skinburness and out to Grune Point, a shingle spit with big Solway views and a wartime pillbox.

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.

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.

Smardale Gill Viaduct from Smardale

Easy, 4.8 km, 34 m up, about 1 hour

A level walk along an old railway through a Cumbria Wildlife Trust reserve to the tall stone viaduct over Scandal Beck.

South Tyne Trail: Alston to Slaggyford

Easy, 7.3 km, 14 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes

A gentle, well-surfaced walk down the South Tyne valley from Alston, beside the narrow-gauge railway you can ride back.

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.

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.

The Calf from Sedbergh

Mountain, 11.5 km, 692 m up, about 3 hours 30 minutes

The roof of the Howgills straight from Sedbergh: up Settlebeck Gill and over Arant Haw and Calders to the white trig point on The Calf.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wild Boar Fell and Swarth Fell from Mallerstang

Hard, 13.6 km, 574 m up, about 3 hours 30 minutes

The great prow above Mallerstang, climbed from the head of the dale near Aisgill and linked with Swarth Fell for a fine high circuit.