For outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, there’s no better way to spend a break than by hiking in the Lake District, Cumbria. The region comprises impressive lakes, mighty mountains, lush greenery and dramatic landscapes at every twist and turn.
If you’re planning a trip here you will find plenty of incredible things to do in the Lake District. With a huge selection of outdoor activities, alongside hiking trails, biking routes, and much more, you will never be stuck for something to do in.
Hiking in the Lake District draws plenty of visitors throughout the year. Plus, with so many fantastic treks and stunning scenery to experience, it comes as no surprise why. Keep reading to find out all about the best walking here, alongside some top tips for visiting the Lake District.
Before booking your next adventure in the Lake District, you’re likely in need of more information. Luckily enough, we have everything you need to know in this article. One of the most important things to consider is that the mountains in the Lake District require careful navigation. With this in mind, you should plan accordingly with an app, map, or compass that will help you navigate when exploring the peaks.
You should also always keep an eye on the weather when planning your Lake District hiking adventure. The climate here can be unpredictable so it’s important to check the forecast before embarking on your trek.
Be sure to pack the appropriate clothing and equipment when walking in the Lake District. With the changing weather, you will need to plan what to take depending on the season you’re visiting. However, no matter what time of year you stay in the Lake District, we recommend packing waterproof clothing as the region is known for having plenty of rainy days!
As mentioned above, the weather can be slightly unpredictable in the Lake District so it’s important to plan your trip here accordingly. Spring and summer are popular seasons to enjoy a hiking getaway around the Lakes. This is when the weather is generally pleasant with longer daylight hours and a warmer climate. You can expect temperatures of around 15°C in spring and approximately 20°C in summer. For plenty of sunshine, blue skies and less rainfall, these periods are perfect for anyone pursuing the top trails here.
You can also go walking in the Lake District in autumn and winter but expect to find a colder climate and more rain. Temperatures in autumn are around 11°C with winter presenting averages of 5°C. There is also a chance of snowfall during the colder months, great for those seeking an icy adventure around the Lakes. Be sure to plan accordingly when travelling here during this time, as the mountains can be dangerous for those visiting under-prepared.
To help cater to a range of walkers we have put together different categories of trails for those hiking in the Lake District. With easy, moderate and hard treks throughout the region, below you will find a selection of routes for a range of visitors.
A favoured and easy Lake District hike is Aira Force. Many visitors also explore the Gowbarrow Trail whilst on this route, providing even more spectacular scenery to enjoy. The whole walk is around 4.5 miles and takes anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours to complete. This steady course will take you through pretty woodland, eventually leading to the stunning Aira Force waterfall.
You have the option to turn back at the lovely cascade or continue to the summit of Gowbarrow Fell. Those who choose to climb the hill will discover fantastic views over Ullswater and the beautiful surroundings. For those seeking a gentle stroll with plenty of impressive landscapes, Aira Force and Gowbarrow provide a great option.
Another of the great Lake District walks is the Tarn Hows trail. Stretching over 2 miles and taking around 1 hour, this route is ideal for those looking for a trip with the family, or a peaceful stroll with their partner. Here you will encounter beautiful lakeside scenery, intriguing wildlife and panoramic views of Tarn Hows.
The Tarn Hows route is also an excellent choice for those seeking a circular course when hiking in the Lake District. With plenty of lush greenery, pretty woodlands and encompassing fells at every twist and turn, you’re sure to be impressed when visiting here!
If you happen to find yourself exploring the pretty town of Ambleside, be sure to check out the stunning Blea Tarn trail during your visit. The route is around 1.8 miles, allowing for around 1 to 2 hours of walking. This is a great option for those looking to scour the beautiful area of Langdale during their stay in the Lake District. Plus, with plenty of craggy fells, a mountain lake, and the surrounding Langdale Pikes, it comes as no surprise why this route continues to gain popularity.
If you’re hoping to immerse yourself in the stunning natural landscapes around the Lake District, all whilst enjoying a leisurely hike, the Blea Tarn Trail is a great choice. It’s also an excellent option for those chasing the magnificent sunrise as the views here are utterly breathtaking.
One of the best things about trekking around the Lake District is the opportunity to challenge yourself. So, below you will find some of the best moderate walks to enjoy throughout the region. Plus, with so many to choose from, you’re sure to find one for a range of holiday itineraries!
One of the most popular walks in the Lake District is undoubtedly the Old Man Coniston. This favoured path continues to draw visitors throughout the year and for good reason. The circular route is around 8.6 miles and takes roughly 4.5 to 6 hours to complete. Those tackling this path will also need to have a moderate level of fitness as the ascent can be a little rocky in parts.
Upon reaching the summit of Old Man Coniston you are met with panoramic views over the pretty town of Coniston, alongside the surrounding lakes and Lancashire coast. For stunning landscapes, mountainous surroundings and lovely hidden tarns, this is an excellent place for those looking for the best hikes in the Lake District.
The route to Great Gable from Honister Pass is perfect for those looking to tackle some of the Lake Districts’ famous Wainwrights. Along the trail you will climb Great Gable, Green Gable, Brandreth and Grey Knotts, allowing hikers to tick off some of the favoured hills in the area. This trek is around 5.5 miles, which means we recommend allowing for 4 to 6 hours of hiking.
As you make your way from Honister Pass to Great Gable, you will encounter some of the best viewpoints that the Lake District has to offer. With vistas over Wastwater Valley, alongside magnificent lakes and mighty peaks at every turn, you’re sure to be impressed when visiting here. You won’t need to do any technical climbing on this route, although there are some steep parts along the way.
Catbells is a 2.5-mile hike comprising stunning views over Keswick, Derwentwater, Skiddaw and Blencathra. This allows visitors to experience some of the best sights that the Lake District has to offer, alongside some incredible wildlife and hiking experiences. We recommend planning for around 2 hours of hiking when tackling Catbells, perhaps slightly longer for those hoping to stop off and immerse themselves in the breathtaking surroundings.
The route also consists of some flat areas and hilly climbs, but you won’t encounter any difficult hiking points when roaming Catbells. For those looking to extend their walk in the Lake District, you can also plan this route with the Newlands Horseshoe Trail, another popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
Another beautiful walk around the Lakes is the Stickle Tarn Trail. This route is nestled away between the prevalent Scafell Pike and Grasmere, stretching over 1.9 miles in the Great Langdale area. Taking approximately 2 hours to complete, you will encounter some beautiful waterfalls, lush valleys and much more along the way.
For those looking to experience some of the excellent peaks around the Lake District, there are also views of Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark along the Stickle Tarn Trail. Although the course is relatively short, there are some challenging points and steep ascents throughout this walk. This is a great place for those seeking an exciting adventure, packed with plenty of jaw-dropping landscapes.
Finally, for visitors pursuing some of the more challenging walks in the Lake District, we have included some popular spots below. These routes are sure to impress even the most avid outdoor explorers, as the breathtaking scenery and thrilling climbs are not to be missed!
One of the best walks in the Lake District is most definitely Scafell Pike. This prevalent hike draws visitors from all over the country to experience its challenging climb and magnificent views. There are several routes you can take here, but for this article, we are going to talk you through the route from Seathwaite to Scafell Pike – an exciting 9.4-mile hike that takes around 6 to 8 hours.
Not only is Scafell Pike England’s tallest peak, sitting at around 978 metres, but it is also one of the most impressive climbs in the Lake District. Along this trail, you will find yourself surrounded by flowing rivers, great rock scrambling, a historic land memorial, incredible views and much more. This is one trek not to miss when visiting the region and should certainly be ticked off every outdoor lover’s walking list!
There are plenty of climbs to enjoy around Helvellyn, however, the route from Striding Edge is not to be missed! This 8-mile hike is great for those seeking a day exploring the lakes as the whole trail will take around 4 to 6 hours. With an elevation gain of 924 metres, alongside some ridge scrambling and the completion of 2 Wainwrights, you won’t be disappointed when walking here.
The hike to Helvellyn via Striding Edge starts at Glenridding Village and begins pretty steep. This route is not for the faint of heart as you will find yourself scrambling along the impressive Striding Edge during your adventure. It is also important to pack the right hiking equipment and check the weather forecast before embarking on your journey, as the slippery edges can be tricky to navigate in wet weather conditions. However, for those with a good level of fitness, alongside some climbing experience, you’re sure to enjoy all that this favoured trek has to offer. Plus, with opportunities to also complete the popular Wainwrights of Helvellyn and Catstye Cam, you will feel accomplished after tackling this excellent trail.
Looking to tick more of the prevalent Wainwrights off your Lake District hiking adventure? Well, look no further because the Coledale Round route covers 6 of these impressive hills, allowing visitors to see even more of the fantastic fells around the lakes. The trail is around 9.5 miles and takes between 5 to 8 hours to complete, so a good level of fitness is required. You will also find some steep slopes and minor scrambling along the way, great for those seeking an exciting adventure whilst trekking here.
The Coledale Round trail is ideal if you’re hoping for a hike with lots of variety. You will climb Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head, Crag Hill, Sail, Scar Crags and Causey Pike during your walk, fantastic for anyone pursuing a challenging route. As you ascend and scramble your way through the fells, you will also discover plenty of breathtaking landscapes and utter tranquillity as you’re nestled away in complete nature.
From lakeside vistas to towering peaks, flowing waterfalls, vast open spaces and pretty rivers, you can experience all of the beautiful scenery around the Lake District throughout the Coledale Round. Many visitors also choose to wild camp on this route, completing the trail over 2 days. This is perfect for those looking to extend their stay and fully immerse themselves in the beautiful outdoors.
We hope that after reading this article you can now visit the Lake District to enjoy some of the best walks that the region has to offer. With so many to choose from, you will find yourself spoilt for choice when staying here. Whether you’re looking for a stroll around pretty woodland, or a challenging scramble up some of the famous peaks, there is something for all when hiking in the Lake District!
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