July 14, 2025
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Destination: The North
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A Guide to Hiking in the Lake District
The Lake District, in the northwest of England, is a playground for people who love exploring the outdoors on two feet. Rolling hills make way for flower-filled valleys and deep blue lakes dotted between fells create undeniable beauty in an untouched landscape – they’re also the perfect spot to cool off on a warm day.
To help you plan your trip to the Lakes, we’ve created the ultimate guide to hiking in the Lake District, including the best walking routes, attractions, places to stay, where to eat, and what to pack.
What is hiking like in the Lake District?
Hiking in the Lake District is a true adventure. There are walks for everyone, from lower valley bimbles to multi-day treks and even a spot of wild swimming. You’ll find plenty of quaint Airbnb’s, pubs, and independent cafés, but within a few miles of hiking, you’ll also find yourself in remote areas, where only rugged fells surround you for miles and miles.
Some of the paths are more technical than others, so depending on your experience, you may wish to stay on lower paths rather than tackle one of the more demanding Wainwrights. Simply put, the Lake District contains many of England’s best hikes, paths and trails.
Where can I hike in the Lake District?
Much of the Lake District is open to the public. From footpaths and bridleways to open access land, hikers can explore everything from the gentle valley trails to the high mountain routes.
Some of the most popular areas to hike in the Lake District include Helvellyn, Scafell Pike, and Catbells.
Major Walking Routes in the Lake District – National Trails & Long Distance Routes
Coast to Coast Path
The Coast to Coast Path is a 192 mile path, stretching from the rugged Heritage coast of St Bedes in Cumbria to North Yorkshire’s Robin Hood’s Bay. Conceived by Alfred Wainwright, this long-distance walk weaves through three National Parks, including the Lake District National Park, the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and the North York Moors National Park.
Start: St Bedes, Cumbria
Finish: Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire
Total Mileage: 192 miles (307 km)
Active England Tip: We recommend walking 12 to 14 miles a day, which will take roughly two weeks to complete.
Wainwrights
There are 214 Wainwrights – or fells – in the Lake District, as documented by Alfred Wainwright in 1966. You can tackle these in any order, over any time, be it in one go or over a year.
Number of Wainwrights: 214
Order: There’s no best order to tackle them, but we recommend doing it by region.
Active England Tip: Most Wainwrights can be reached from a local parking area. If you wish to tick off a few in a day, there are many routes linking them. Oh, and here’s a list of the best Wainwrights.
The Ullswater Way
The Ullswater Way is one of the most accessible walking routes in the UK. Taking in the circumference of the lake, there are plenty of places to stop along the route – and it can be completed in one day!
Start: Pooley Bridge / Glenridding
Finish: Pooley Bridge / Glenridding
Total Mileage: 20 miles (32 km)
Active England Tip: You can hike this route in a full day, stay somewhere on the route and do it in two days, or hike to one of the boat spots, so you can get a boat back.
The Westmorland Way
The Westmorland Way is a 95 mile scenic trail through southeast Cumbria, passing through beautiful villages like Pooley Bridge, Patterdale, and Kendal.
Start: Appleby
Finish: Arnside
Total Mileage: 95 miles (152 km)
Active England Tip: Most people take 7 to 10 days to walk this route. We recommend taking your time to enjoy it, whether that’s solo or joining a guided group.
Lake District Fell Walks
With 214 fells in the Lake District, there are plenty of fells to choose from. Here are some of the most popular ones for your bucket list. You can find even more routes in our blog, 10 Best Lake District Walks.
Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head
Distance: 5.4 miles
Time allowance: around 3 hours up; 2 down
Ascent: 3,000 feet
This walk takes you from Westwater, up the three peaks route via Brown Tongue up Scafell Pike. As the most popular route from Wasdale, you may be forgiven for thinking it’s an easy ramble. Not so: it can be a difficult climb, especially in misty conditions. The path disappears halfway up, turning into more of a scramble than a gentle walk.
From Wainwright himself: “sufferers from bad feet must experience an orgy of torture” on this ascent. In short: wear appropriate walking boots!
Helvellyn from Thirlmere
Distance: 2.5 miles
Time allowance: 2 hours
This route is relatively easy and, although it’s still a two-hour solid ascent, it’s by no means as tough as the Striding Edge and Swirral Edge on the eastern side.
Starting from Thirlmere, ascend via the Helvellyn Gill path. Alternatively, you can take a longer circular route over the Nethermost Pike and Dollywagon, and then back down via Dunmail Raise towards Thirlmere again.
“Legend and poetry,” wrote Alfred Wainwright, “a lovely name and a lofty altitude combine to encompass Helvellyn in an aura of romance”.
Great Gable from Seathwaite
Distance: 4.5 miles
Time allowance: 4-5 hours
One of the most iconic Lake District fells with its incredible panoramic views from the summit over West Water, Crummock Water, Buttermere and Haystacks.
If you do Great Gable on Remembrance Sunday in November, you’ll witness the Fell and Rock Climbing Club remembrance service.
Wasdale to Buttermere
Distance: 5.7 miles
Time allowance: 3 hours
The route from Wasdale to Buttermere takes you up the Black Sail pass into Ennerdale. From there, make the climb to Scarth Gap and then turn east up to Wainwright’s favourite, Haystacks.
The ridge walk along High Crag, High Stile and Red Pike is a tiring but worthwhile climb, with stunning views over the entire area.
Skiddaw
Distance: 10.5 miles
Time allowance: 6-7 hours
Skiddaw is a very photogenic mountain. With its steep smooth edges and slopes covered in a patchwork of heather, grass and scree. When viewed over a period of time, the mountain seems to change colour depending on the light.
Skiddaw is something of a magical mountain, set far apart from neighbouring peaks. It also allows for outstanding unrestricted views from the summit, its southside views being some of the best in the Lake District.
This route takes you via Jenkin Hill Path, first established as a pony route for tourists during the 19th Century. It’s a bit of a climb, but you’re rewarded with fantastic views at the top.
Catbells
Distance: 5 miles
Time allowance: 2 hours
Catbells also has one of the most iconic and photogenic views in the Lake District, overlooking Derwentwater and Keswick. And while there’s a climb to get to Cat Bells, it’s perfectly manageable and brief, and before you know it, you’ll be at the top looking over vistas all around you, from Derwentwater on one side and over to Robinson on the other.
If you get a sudden burst of energy, you can walk further along the ridge to find more peaceful picnic areas, as Cat Bells itself can become quite busy, especially on a sunny day.
We recommend parking at Hawes End, Keswick CA12 5UB.
Lakeside Lake District Walks
There are 16 lakes, and several tarns, meres and ‘waters’ in the Lake District, all offering beautiful walks of varying difficulty. Here are a few of our favourites.
Pooley Bridge
Distance: 1 mile
A short but beautiful walk, Pooley Bridge is one of the Lake District’s most photogenic areas. Starting at Pooley Bridge car park, follow the footpath along Ullswater towards Gale bay (this is roughly half a mile). It’s a short but fantastically pretty walk, but you can obviously extend it by walking the perimeter of Ullswater before walking back to Pooley Bridge.
Ennerdale
Distance: 6.5 miles
Ennerdale Water is well-known for being one of the more tranquil and less-walked of the Lakes. Despite not being way-marked, it’s easy to walk around the perimeter of the shore, a distance of 6.5 miles in total.
The walk itself takes you through forests, tracks, and rocky footpaths as well as a steep climb and scramble up and over Angler’s Crag. Once at the top, however, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views across the lake. A hidden gem of the Lake District.
Western Windermere
Distance: 4 miles
Windermere is probably the Lake District’s busiest stretch of water, but the western edge can be remarkably peaceful. Starting at Wray Castle, the walk takes you toward Claife Viewing Station.
At this point, you can head to Ferry House and take a ferry across to the eastern shore on Windermere Lake Cruises. They offer a Walkers Ticket which starts at either Ambleside or Bowness-on-Windermere, dropping you off at Wray and returning you to your start point later on.
Derwentwater
Distance: 10 miles
For more of a dedicated trek, Derwentwater offers a 10-mile lakeside waymarked walk around its perimeter. The route takes you around ancient woodland, and you also have the option of breaking up your walk with trips on the Keswick Launch – this way, you can pick and choose which bits of the walk you want to complete.
Derwentwater is also scattered with hidden gems, including beaches at Brandelhow – perfect for a picnic in good weather – and pubs and tearooms along the route.
Grasmere
Distance: 3.2 miles
Grasmere is a gentle, 3-mile3 mile walk that’s perfect for the whole family. We recommend parking in Grasmere village.
The route takes in the quintessential village of Grasmere, woodlands, and of course, plenty of lake views. It also passes the famous gingerbread shop, Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread, that’s well worth stopping at.
For more stunning walks in the Lake District, take a look at our Top 10 lakeside walks in the Lake District blog.
Lake District Pub Walks
Lanty Slee’s Langdale at Stickle Barn via Sticklebarn (Langdale)
Distance: 1.9 miles
A steep but rewarding climb from Sticklebarn follows Stickle Ghyll in Langdale, passing waterfalls and rock pools with spectacular fell views. Lanty Slee’s at Stickle Barn is close to the start/finish, which is the Stickle Ghyll Car Park. The pub serves real ales, hearty food and an open fire in the colder months.
Coniston to Tarn Hows loop
Distance: 6.2 miles
This circular trail starts in the charming village of Coniston and gently climbs out of the village, passing the lakeshore and through historic woodland before arriving at Tarn Hows, where a scenic circular route awaits.
On your return, The Black Bull pub, one of the oldest pubs in the village, offers outdoor seating in summer, cosy fires in winter, and award-winning beer, brewed on-site!
Troutbeck Ridge to Mortal Man Inn
Distance: 3.8 miles
This is a leisurely ridge ramble up Wansfell/Baystones with panoramic views over Windermere. This walk includes an easy descent, bringing you back into the village of Troutbeck, where you’ll find the Mortal Man Inn.
You can park either on the roadside in Troutbeck or on the A592 at Jesus Church.
Loweswater Circular to Kirkstile Inn
Distance: 4 miles
A quiet lakeside circular loop around Loweswater, which takes in mixed woodland and gentle roads. The route starts at Maggie’s Bridge and spends much of its time following the line of the lake. The gentle walk will bring you back to Loweswater in around three hours and offers a spectacular backdrop of the fells. The Kirkstile Inn has been providing walkers with local refreshments since the 15th century and is a must visit for proper pub grub.
Dockray Circular & The Royal Hotel
Distance: 4.7 miles
Starting in Dockray, the trail heads through the farmlands and climbs steeply into the open hillside and up to Gowbarrow Fell. Here you can enjoy the sweeping views on a clear day.
The trail then descends the rough path, taking in more views over the lake before reaching the woodlands and passing the waterfalls of Aira Force, High Force, and High Cascades. The trail then returns to the start, where you’ll find The Royal Hotel, which has a brilliant beer garden for summer.
Places to Stay When Walking in the Lake District
There are many places to stay in the Lake District, with everything from campsites and hostels to hotels and AirB&BS. Whether you want luxury spas or just somewhere to rest your tired legs are big days in the fells, there’s something for everyone
Seatoller House, Borrowdale (near Keswick)
Seatoller is a century‑old guesthouse seven miles south of Keswick, at the head of Borrowdale. It is an excellent centre for exploring the Lake District and is popular with walkers and climbers, who want immediate access to the fells. Whilst all of the 10 bedrooms are private, with en-suites, the rest of the house is shared, with large gardens, a kitchen and lounge rooms.
Elterwater Hostel, Langdale Valley
This independent family-run hostel has been welcoming guests since 1939, and can sleep up to 38 people in a variety of private or shared dorm rooms. The warm and homely accommodation is the perfect base for exploring all that the Lake District has to offer, while keeping costs low.
Cragg Cottage, Tover (near Coniston)
Cragg Cottage is a great self-catering option for four people to make a home away from home in the Lake District. It has recently been renovated to high standards, with a cottage kitchen, log burning stove and even an outdoor hot tub! Situated just a short drive away from Windermere, you’re in a great spot to explore the lakes.
Ravenstone Manor, Bassenthwaite (near Keswick)
Nestled on the mountain side, near the village of Bassenthwaite, this charming manor is just a stone’s throw away from Keswick and right next to many trails, which can be reached from your doorstep. Expect a warm and comfortable stay, incredible food from the restaurant and brilliant hospitality.
The Yan, Broadrayne, Ambleside
The Yan is a family-run bistro where muddy boots, windswept hair and four-legged companions are encouraged. Situated in Ambleside, you’re just a stone’s throw away from Helm Crag, Easedale Tarn, and the Coast to Coast Path. There are a variety of different places to stay, including cottages, glamping and en-suite rooms.
When you return from your hike, the bistro will be waiting for you, with delicious seasonal plates and a pint of the local brew.
Cedar Manor, Windermere
Cedar Manor, a family-owned, 5 star boutique hotel in Windermere, is perfect for those wanting a little more of a luxury stay. With views out over the lake and top tier cream teas, it’s the perfect spot to explore the Lakes from.
When to go hiking in the Lake District
The weather plays a leading role in every adventure. The shifting clouds, sudden showers, and moments of unexpected clarity shape each route and decision. Understanding the Lake’s seasonal weather patterns is an essential part of planning your hike.
Summer (June – August)
Summer gives you those gloriously long daylight hours (16+ hours in June!) and the best chance for dry conditions. The only caveat is that it’s also the busiest time. However, if you’re up for exploring off the beaten track and starting early, then you should beat the worst of the crowds.
- Temperatures between 10°C – 20°C (sometimes up to 25°C)
- The driest months, though still prone to summer storms
- Busy footpaths, especially on popular routes
Autumn (September – November)
Autumn in the Lakes is breathtaking, with the leaves turning golden and the air crisp. September often holds onto summer warmth, but by October, the weather turns cooler and wetter. November can feel more like early winter, especially up high.
- Temperatures between 5°C – 15°C
- Increasing rainfall and foggy mornings
- Shorter days, especially by late October
Winter (December – February)
Winter transforms the Lake District into something raw and beautiful. The snow-covered fells are stunning, but this is when preparation matters most. Ice, snow, wind, and fog can make even moderate hikes dangerous. Unless you’re an experienced hiker, we’d recommend staying on low tracks, spending your time doing our 10 things to do in the Lake District in winter.
- Temperatures between -2°C – 7°C
- Snow and ice above 500m, frequent storms, limited visibility
- Very short daylight hours
Spring (March – May)
In March, winter still lingers on the high fells. Snow can blanket the tops of Scafell Pike and Helvellyn well into April, and icy patches on shaded trails are common. Days are getting longer, though, and by April and May, the valleys start to come alive with daffodils and bluebells. It’s many people’s preferred time to hike: not too busy, not too cold, and beautiful scenery.
- Temperatures between 3°C – 12°C
- Unpredictable rain showers, especially in March and early April
- Occasional clear, crisp days perfect for hiking
What to wear hiking the Lake District
Depending on the distance you’re walking and the route you’re taking (along the valley or up on the fells), what you need to wear or take with you will vary.
Here’s a basic packing list for hiking in the Lake District, so you’re always prepared.
- Base layer
- Mid-layer
- Waterproof / windproof jacket
- Walking trousers/ leggings
- Shorts
- Hiking socks (ankle length minimum for protection)
- Hiking boots and or trail shoes
Cold weather essentials
- Waterproof trousers and jacket
- Hat
- Buff
- Gloves
- Crampons/microspikes & an ice axe may be necessary for higher routes (plus the skills to use them)
Essentials
- Headtorch
- Suncream
- Map & compass (don’t rely on phone alone)
- Snacks and water
- First aid kit, including foil blanket
- Spare layers
Would you recommend wearing walking boots in the Lake District?
Walking/hiking boots are recommended in the Lake District even during summer, as the terrain remains rugged, with steep, rocky paths and frequent muddy sections. The weather is famously changeable, and sudden rainfall can quickly turn dry trails slippery or waterlogged.
Walking boots provide crucial ankle support, grip, and protection against sharp rocks and wet ground – important even on an easy Lake District walk.
If you prefer to use a lighter shoe option, trail shoes are a good alternative and there are plenty on the market with varying lugs, for each season
Things to See Along the Way
The Lake District is packed with unforgettable sights. Whether you’re after panoramic views from the peaks, historic homes with literary links, or peaceful spots far from the crowds.
Sizergh Castle – A beautifully preserved medieval house with Elizabethan interiors and extensive gardens. It’s still occupied by the Strickland family and managed by the National Trust.
Grasmere & Dove Cottage – A picturesque village known for its gingerbread and for being home to poet William Wordsworth, whose cottage is now a fascinating museum.
Honister Slate Mine – An active mine offering underground tours and the adrenaline-filled Via Ferrata – perfect for adventure seekers.
Hill Top – Beatrix Potter’s former home, preserved just as she left it, complete with the countryside settings that inspired her beloved tales.
Ravenglass & Muncaster Castle – Ravenglass is the only coastal village within the National Park and home to the historic Muncaster Castle, a lived-in fortress with beautiful gardens and a rich history.
Cartmel Village – The home of sticky toffee pudding! After all that hiking, treat yourself to a sticky pudding – no one makes it like the folk in the Lakes.
Hiking Tours in the Lake District
Taking on hikes in a big area like the Lake District can be a little intimidating, especially if you’re on your own, or visiting from abroad. Luckily, there are hiking tours in the Lake District, which you can join solo or in a group – and there’s a direct train from London to the Lake District too!
We host tours all over the UK and have many throughout the year in the Lake District. These are usually 6‑day, fully guided summit tours, including Helvellyn and Scafell Pike. Accommodation is also included.
If you’re still after further information about planning a trip to the Lake District, take a look at our Guide to Visiting The Lake District, which covers everything from the history of the Lakes to travel recommendations and hikes.
