Patterdale walks

A walk with the best views of both Southern and Northern Lakeland and Roman history.

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

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.

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.

The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 8 Wainwrights, 2 lakes, 1 tarn and 1 pub

Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 3 Wainwrights, 1 tarn and 1 pub

A Lake District walk starting from Patterdale that includes Place Fell, Howtown, and Beda Fell in a circuit of Boredale. The scenic content of this route is excellent with Ullswater providing a contrast to the rugged fells all around you.

This is a companion route to Birks, St. Sunday, Cofa Pike, Fairfield, Hart Crag & return via Dovedale as it offers a safe way off the mountain should you need a plan B or if you want a walk with less ascent. It is still a great walk in its own right and the descent of Grisedale is a nice contrast to the ascent of St Sunday Crag.

This is a short, low level walk that can fill a couple of hours. Good if you are short on time or if it has been raining most of the day and has cleared up in the late afternoon. Nice views over the lake and interesting scenery.

A circular walk from Patterdale which ascends gradually to take in the great views from Angletarn Pikes and The Knott before passing over the Straits of Riggingdale to High Street and The Beacon at Thornwaite Crag. It then descends Threshwaite Cove to Hartsop and a return to Patterdale.

This is a great circular walk, taking in some of the higher tops and with a descent via the tranquil and less frequented Dovedale.

This is a short, low level walk that can fill a couple of hours. Good if you are short on time or if it has been raining most of the day and has cleared up in the late afternoon. Nice views over the lake and interesting scenery. (It is the sister walk to another which starts from Patterdale)

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.

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 a lovely circular walk with continued interest and some great views over Ullswater. You will take in the dramatic Aira Force and upper cascades, then climb to the summit of Gowbarrow Fell where there are great views.
The descent is more gradual and passes the remains of an old shooting lodge before arriving at another great view point at Yew Crags. The return gives good views and the interesting Lyulph's Tower.

A short and interesting walk to the top of Gowbarrow Fell via Aira Force. This is an out and return walk but uses paths on either side of Aira Beck to maintain interest and give different views of the waterfalls and cascades. It is useful for a short weather window if you want to stretch your legs and you get a couple of hours of dry weather between the rain. (A longer walk around the fell is also available here.)

The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 6 Wainwrights, 3 tarns and 1 pub

The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. They were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting and finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way there are 2 Wainwrights, 2 tarns, 2 pubs and a lake.

Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way, there are one Wainwright, two lakes and one pub. Explore Rydal Cave.

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

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.

Short walk to see the famous Rydal cave. Dog friendly walk.

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.

A lovely amble around the Southern Eastern shore of Ullswater with great views. An excellent family walk if combined with the Ullswater Steamer from Glenridding.

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.

Beautiful circular walk to High Rigg summit from Legburthwaite. Dog friendly.

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 medium level walk with gorgeous views on Ambleside and distant summits. Dog friendly walk.

This variation of the Fairfield Horseshoe starts from High Close on the western edge of Loughrigg Fell. The route follows a clockwise direction offering a different perspective to the normal horseshoe route.

This is a varied walk with a couple of fells to climb but nothing really difficult. Take care of yourself and look out for wildlife along the way. Just enjoy the journey and make the most of the moment. Along the way are 2 Wainwrights, 2 tarns, 2 pubs and a lake.

The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 1 Wainwright, 1 tarn and 1 pub.

The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 8 Wainwrights and 3 tarns.

A figure-of-eight route which, with only moderate climbing, gives superb views to Windermere.

Fantastic views over Windermere, a sylvan waterfall, and a gentler woodland return via the village

A hard fell walk up the valley of Trout Beck to High Street, returning via the Ill Bell ridge.

A lovely walk to see Elter Water and Loughrigg Tarn. This can be a popular walk during the summer months especially until the waypoint (5).
Good navigation is needed between waypoints (5) and (8) as the path is not visible especially in summer with all the vegetation.
This is a dog friendly route.

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

The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. They were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way, there are 7 Wainwrights, 2 lakes, 1 tarn and 1 pub.

Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are one Wainwright, one waterfall and one pub. This is a fairly simple route and a good way to say goodbye to The Lakes. The Stockghyll Falls are impresive and a certain Victorian atmosphere surrounds the place.

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 circular walk from Chapel Stile along the Great Langdale valley to the New Dungeon Gill Hotel. Then an ascent along the pleasant Stickle Gill to Stickle tarn followed by the ascent to Blea Rigg and a return to Chapel Stile along the ridge.

A short, and mainly flat, walk which circumnavigates the bottom of the Langdale valley. Good for half a day or when the tops are clagged in. It passes both of the Dungeon Ghyll hotels where refreshments are available.

This is an interesting walk from Elterwater or Chapel Stile.

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 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.

This is a circular walk from Elterwater which crosses Lingmoor before descending to Blea Tarn and then returning via Great Langdale. There are great opportunities for photography; from the snake like wall running across Lingmoor, the Langdale Pikes and reflections in the lake at Blea Tarn, plus the rural scenery in Great Langdale on the return leg.