Lake District walks

A lovely, gentle walk, climbing up alongside the waterfalls of Church Beck to the quarry at the end of the Coppermines valley, returning via the saddle with beautiful views of Coniston village and the lake. You can end the walk with a well-deserved pint in one of the cosy village pubs. A great walk to start your holiday or to do with children.

Starting from Grasmere this Lake District walk includes a circuit of Rydal water and Grasmere. The route includes some wonderful views especially from Loughrigg Terrace.

In contrast to the great lakes of the Lake District, here are three small lakes that lay south of Elterwater village.

A fabulous circular walk starting from the Tilberthwaite Valley. Best done in this direction so as to enjoy the ascent of Wetherlam Edge, great views in all directions and much interest on the walk.

A gentle walk in a beautiful setting, enjoyable in any weather. The walk is accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs and is not too long for little legs.

A walk from Cartmel Fell church via a scenic tarn to a wonderful Windermere viewpoint.

A steady climb up to Angle Tarn from Hartsop via Boredale Hause followed by a stroll along a ridge with great views over to Helvellyn then up to Rest Dodd dropping down to Hayeswater and back to the car park.

A good circular walk around Lingmoor fell with plenty of interest which is a great choice if the higher fells are shrouded in cloud.

The walk takes in the Langdale and Little Langdale Valleys, explores a disused slate quarry and passes a working slate quarry. The walking and route finding are easy, the views are good and there are places on the way to buy refreshments. As a circular walk it can be started from a variety of places along the route.

A wood renowned for its wild daffodils and rare butterflies, and a famous house and garden.

A short and fairly easy, circular walk up the ever popular Cat Bells. Starting from parking on the roadside just outside the village of Grange, this walk ascends Cat Bells from the South and descends north to join paths through the parkland and woods above and beside Derwent Water.

Combining the delights of Borrowdale with the rural charm of Watendlath, this Lake District walk offers some wonderful views and relatively easy walking. Route finding is generally easy although there is a steady ascent from Lodore up to Watendlath.

Dog- friendly circular walk around Ennerdale water. This is a lovely and not too popular lake in the west part of the Lake District.

Easy circular walk around Buttermere Water. This walk offers beautiful views on the surrounding summits.

This is a low level lakeland walk suitable for a short day. It takes in Elter Water, Skelwith Force and Colwith Force waterfalls before heading through farmland to the impressive Cathedral Quarry. The return leg passes a good pub which serves food and then through the working slate quarry above Chapel Stile.

A few kilometres from Ambleside, a walk to the top of Loughrigg Fell overlooking the lakes of the National Park Lake District.

A nice walk taking in the ever popular Lion and Lamb rock formation at Helm Crag before following the ridge walk with great views to the head of Easedale and then descending more gently down the lovely valley, passing some waterfalls.

This Lake District hike includes two Wainwrights and a famous Lakeland Pass so is never short of interest. The first part of the walk involves a steep ascent but this is not as bad as it looks. Once the summit of Hartsop Dodd is reached the going is relatively easy and straightforward. The second Wainwright of Stony Cove Pike is soon reached followed by the descent to Kirkstone Pass and Brothers Water.

An extended walk along a glorious limestone edge with superb views and fantastic wildlife.

A pleasant hike, to the west of Ambleside, across hills overlooking Windermere and Coniston Lakes.

A linear Lake District walk that follows the shore of Derwentwater south from Keswick to Lodore landing stage. The return to Keswick uses the seasonal launces on Derwentwater.

This circular walk in the South Lakeland offers fine views of Lake Windermere and the surrounding fells from the summit of Gummers How. The walk also includes woodland and open countryside.

Walk to Hardknott fort and Tongue Pot. Dog friendly walk. Perfect walk to go wild swimming.

A Circular Walk with a short ascent of Latterbarrow that rewards you with great views of the Lake District's mountains and then a descent through woodland to pick up the lakeshore path to Wray Castle. This is a real treat for National Trust Members (non members can pay to get in) but even if you don't want to visit the castle the grounds are a good place to picnic. Return via the lakeshore path and then gradually up and through the forest to descend again to Hawkshead.

Woodland and striking limestone scenery with wildlife galore and outstanding views.

An inevitable hike, to the most popular peak of the Lake District, Helwellyn. A hike made all the more pleasant by passing along two lakes: Red Tarn Lake and Grisedale Ran Lake.

This is an interesting walk from Elterwater or Chapel Stile.

From Bowness on Windermere to Miller Ground with beach and pontoons overlooking Lake Windermere and waterfalls at Wynlass Beck and Mill Beck 20 yards up Sherriffs walk.

The classic and well trodden ascent of Scafell Pike from Seathwaite in Borrowdale. Ascending via Grains Gill to Great End and then Esk Hause and Broad Crag. The descent is via the 'Corridor Route' to Styhead Tarn and then back to Seathwaite.

This Lakeland walk includes two Wainwrights and although the distance walked is relatively short there is a steady steep climb up to the col between Glenridding Dodd and Sheffield Pike. The views are excellent throughout and route finding is generally good with clear paths for most of the route. Choose a fine day to enjoy the views across Ullswater and to the Helvellyn ridge.

Harter Fell occupies a relatively isolated position overlooking the Eskdale valley and this Lake District walk offers some wonderful views towards Scafell and Scafell Pike. The route also includes a visit to pretty Low Birker Tarn, which sees relatively few visitors.

This linear walk in the Western Lake District offers some wonderful views and should be completed at a leisurely pace. The route uses the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway to the return to the start.

The Fairfield horseshoe includes seven other Lake District fells. Low Pike, High Pike, Dove Crag and Hart Crag form the outward route with the return over Great Rigg, Heron Pike and Nab Scar back to Ambleside via Rydal. This is a high level route so choose a good day to make the most of the views.

A gradual climb to a renowned beauty spot - with stunning views of the surrounding area.

A simple, isolated church with superb views over the Lyth valley to the high fells of Lakeland.

Varying walk covering the 5 most North Westerly Wainwright fells. Taking in the summits of Barf, Lords Seat, Broom Fell, Ling Fell and Sales fell. With views the full length of Bassenthwaite Lake and the magnificent massive of Skiddaw. Coastal views should be evident on a clear day.

Sharp Edge is the highlight of this Lake District walk to Blencathra's highest point at Hallsfell Top. Sharp Edge is challenging mountain environment and needs treating with respect. The views from the Top are stunning covering most of the Lake District's highest fells.

This flat, linear walk will allow you to discover some English Heritage with Mayburgh Henge and Brougham Castle while enjoying a riverside walk along River Eamont. Nearby you can also visit King Arthur's Round Table.

A rewarding hike to Hawkshead’s local fell, with fine views belying its moderate height.

A varied walk taking in woodland, a quarry, farmland, the open fell side and finishing beside a river with a waterfall and then the lake side at Elterwater.

A route offering extensive views of the Ennerdale panorama with great mountain views to the north east taking in Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag, to the east the range of Pillar and Steeple with Great Gables, Scafell and Scafell Pike as a backdrop.

This is a short walk with a lot of interest. Despite it not tackling any of the major Lakeland summits the views over Loughrigg Tarn are excellent and the panorama from Loughrigg Fell is one of the best. The descent through the arboretum of High Close and Low Wood maintains the interest. This is a great walk for a half day, perhaps when it has rained and then has started to brighten up.

A good climb up to Fairfield for all round views and a stretch for the legs

A medieval church, a fine historic house and a pretty hamlet on the River Winster.

This Lake District walk starts from Swirls and ascends Helvellyn via Browncove Crags. The route continues north over Whiteside and Raise to reach Sticks Pass from where a descent back into the valley is made. This is a great route to the top of England's third highest mountain with equally stunning views.

A rewarding Lake District walk of the highest calibre. The Horseshoe route takes in all the peaks on either side of the Newlands Valley and offers some wonderful walking and superb views throughout.

A stunning circular walk with beautiful views over Loweswater and the surrounding fells.

An energetic Lake District Horseshoe walk that takes in four summits as you keep to the high ground surrounding Gillercomb. The walk could also be extended to take in Great Gable if time and energy permit!

Enjoy this walk from Windermere village, through woodlands and by lakeshore to the top of Queen Adelaide's Hill for some beautiful and far reaching views.

This is such a short walk, but it serves a purpose. With International Astronomy Day falling on 12th October, this short stroll will take you to a local viewpoint very close to Keswick where you can leave the light pollution behind and watch the stars from this perfect spot.

In my opinion there is no better way to get to the start of the ascent of Cat Bells other than by boat. Catching the first ferry of the day will allow you to get to Hawes End without all the hassle of trying to find somewhere to park. The return ferry from Lodore Landing Stage is just as pleasant with fantastic views.

Parking: There are several places to park in Keswick but I like to park at the Lakeside Car Park near the Theatre by the Lake and the Landing Stages.