Lake District Hikes

There are countless options for outdoor exploration among the Lake District’s towering peaks, gentle slopes, and picturesque bodies of water.

The Lakes are a delight to explore because of the availability of precise maps, well-marked routes, and several adventure centres, not to mention the fact that they are home to England’s highest peak and breath-taking scenery for as far as the eye can see.

There is an almost dizzying number of hiking paths, fells, and summits to explore, regardless of your level of hiking experience. With this list of the top Lake District hikes, we’ve done our best to provide you with a suitable place to begin your explorations of this beautiful region.

Keep reading to find the best Lake District hiking trails…

Haystacks

Cockermouth
Cumbria
England
CA13 9XA

Haystacks is a hill situated at the south-eastern end of the Buttermere Valley. Made famous by Alfred Wainwright, this popular fell features an undulating summit, tarns, and hidden recesses. From the top you can take in views over Buttermere and Crummock Water.
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Helvellyn

Keswick
Lake District National Park
England
CA12 4TP

Helvellyn is the third-tallest peak in the Lake District and the entirety of England. It offers easily accessible yet challenging hikes up to its 950-metre summit.
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Hesket Newmarket to Caldbeck

Caldbeck
Wigton
Cumbria
England
CA7 8DU

Take this walk from the pretty village of Hesket Newmarket to Caldbeck and pass picturesque woodland as you go. Made up of well-maintained foot paths, this 3.5-mile route is suitable for younger children although assistance may be required during steeper sections.
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Heughscar & the Cockpit from Pooley Bridge

Penrith
Cumbria

Walk the wild and untamed landscape surrounding Pooley Bridge and discover the Cockpit stone circle before heading to the manageable summit of Heughscar. From the summit you can take in incredible views of Ullswater. This walk is five miles long and takes around two to three hours.
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Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail

Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail
Riverside
Clapham
Lancaster
LA2 8DS

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The Ingleborough Estate Nature Trails winds its way past a lake and along a steep river valley through beautiful woodland to Ingleborough Cave. The trail is the gateway to some of the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s most stunning limestone scenery including Trow Gill, Gaping Gill pothole, the limestone pavements, Norber Erratics and, finally, the summit of Ingleborough Fell.
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Ingleborough National Nature Reserve

Ingleton
Carnforth
Cumbria
England
LA6 3JE

015242 42021

Ingleborough Nature Reserve is a 1,014-hectare Site of Scientific Interest and is renowned for its spectacular scenery and wealth of wildlife. The site consists of wetlands, limestone, grassland, rockrose, moorland and much more. Within the rich plant life, you’ll find butterflies, bats, curlew, roe deer and more.
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Keswick Lakeside Round

Keswick Lakeside Round
30A Lake Road
Keswick
Lake District
Cumbria
CA12 5DG

This short walk starting in Keswick is ideal for families with younger children. Along the way, little ones can spot geese, ducks and swans and even stop by a woodland play area. The route is around one and a half miles and will take one hour to complete.
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La’al Ratty and Stanley Force, Eskdale

La'al Ratty and Stanley Force, Eskdale
Boot
Holmrook
Eskdale
CA19 1TG

Discover this incredible 60ft high waterfall deep in the Eskdale Valley as you wind through ancient woodland and across footbridges. Suitable for dogs and children over four, this walk takes around one to two hours depending on your pace.
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Image Credits: Chris Combe - CC BY 2.0

Latrigg

Latrigg
Keswick
Lake District
Cumbria
CA12 4PQ

Latrigg is one of the lowest fells in the Lake District, making it manageable for most walkers. While it may not reach as high as other fells, the views over Keswick and the valley of Borrowdale make it more than worth a climb.
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Muncaster Fell

Ravenglass
Lake District National Park
Cumbria
England
CA18 1SU

This scenic, Marilyn hill is situated in the southwestern part of the Lake District National Park. Standing at 758 feet tall, Muncaster Fell is an easy-to-moderate hike and offers lovely views of the surrounding country.
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