Lake District Walking Guide and Routes

Experience the great outdoors with our Lake District walking guide

What better way to explore your surroundings than on foot? Discover the best walks in Lake District with our handy Lake District walking guide. Find the most picturesque routes and enjoy the best of the scenery the lakes have to offer.

Follow in the footsteps of Alfred Wainwright and explore the many serene trails in the UK’s most visited National Park with our Lake District walking guide.

Best Lake District Walks

Take the Borger Dalr trail, described as the ‘finest square mile in Lakeland’ by legendary fell walker Wainwright. Climb Castle Crag for astounding views of the surrounding fells and valleys. Rest in the tranquillity of Peace How, a spot bought in 1917 for the use of returning soldiers. Head to the West of the Lakes for quieter routes, and take in the beauty of the Eskdale Valley. Along the way, be sure to stop at Greendale Tarn for a picnic.

Don’t forget about the stunning stretch of coastline, reaching from Solway Firth to the border town of Gretna. There are a number of glorious coastal walks in the Lake District, all part of the 180-mile Cumbria Coastal Way. Take in quaint harbour villages such as Ravenglass and portal towns including Whitehaven during your outdoor adventure.

Are you bringing the whole family along to your Lake District cottage holiday? There are plenty of dog walks in the Lake District for everyone to enjoy. Traverse the nine-mile circumference of Ullswater Lake, taking in the fantastic views as you go. If nine miles seems a bit much, hop on a Ullswater Steamer on the way back and take in your surroundings from a different perspective.

There are a variety of challenging and awe-inspiring outdoor activities available, from climbing multiple peaks to simply strolling around beautiful lakes.

Explore the best walks with our Lake District walking guide below…

Aira Force Loop

Watermillock
Penrith
Cumbria
England
CA11 0JS

Take this one hour walk through National Trust owned park and woodland and spot ancient trees, plants, and red squirrels as you go. The highlight of the walk, however, is the 20-metre high Aira Force Waterfall. You can take in the waterfall from the base and from a viewpoint at the top.
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Aira Force Waterfall

Penrith

Aira Force Waterfall has been attracting visitors for over 300 years and with good reason! This glorious, 65-foot waterfall is nestled within a Victorian park owned by the National Trust and is truly a sight to behold.
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Binsey Loop

Wigton
Cumbria
England
United Kingdom
CA13 9SX

Binsey lies on the western edge of the Lake District, apart from the other fells. Because of its location, it is often overlooked but a trip to Binsey is more than worthwhile due to its panoramic views of Solway Firth, Dumfries & Galloway, and the Isle of Man in the distance. Binsey Loop is a moderately difficult walk, suitable for older children.
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Blencathra (Saddleback)

Keswick
Lake District National Park
Cumbria
England
CA12 4SU

Blencathra sits next to Skiddaw to the north-east of Keswick in the northern fells of the Lake District. It has six separate tops and multiple ways to ascend that vary from easy to extremely steep. Families with older children will love this easy route, at just under five miles it can be done in two hours.
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Borger Dalr Trail

3 hours

4 miles

Moderate

This 4-mile moderate trail runs through the area described by renowned fell walker, Alfred Wainwright, as the ‘finest square mile in Lakeland’. Climb to the top of Castle Crag to enjoy the spectacular views, and then take a moment to rest at the tranquil Peace How.
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Buttermere

3 hours

4.5 miles

Moderate

The walk around Buttermere Lake is a fairly easy 4.5-mile trail that usually takes around 3 hours to complete. Perfect for families with smaller children, there is only one brief scramble where you might need to use your hands, other than that it is mainly around the lakeshore.
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Image Credits: Stephen Horncastle – CC BY-SA 2.0

Castle Crag

Keswick
Lake District
Cumbria
England
CA12 5UQ

Castle Crag is located in the north-western fells of the Lake District. It is the smallest hill included in Alfred Wainwright’s influential Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells and is below 1,000ft. Follow this moderate route to climb Castle Crag.
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Catbells Circular Walk

Keswick

2h 24m

3.6 miles

Moderate

Catbells is an accessible 4-mile route and one of the most popular in the Lake District, located near the popular Lakeland town of Keswick on the western side of Derwent Water. It is a 451-metre climb, not too large but high enough to take advantage of the exceptional views over the valley below.
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Chapel Island

Chapel Island
Near Cartmel
Cumbria
England
LA11 7LL

Chapel Island is a limestone outcrop that sits above the treacherous sands of Morecombe Bay in the Leven Estuary. You can cross the channel at Canal Foot at low tide and see the remains of a building left to nature.
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Image Credits: A S Morton – CC BY 2.0

Clougha Pike

Clougha Pike
Lancaster
England
LA2 9EQ

Clougha Pike is a hill in the forest of Bowland near Lancaster. The hill appears dome-shaped from some angles and has a series of cloughs in its flanks from others, giving it its name. Clougha Pike can be reached from many directions and features an ordnance survey trig point and a wind shelter at its summit.
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