Blog
The 5 Best Walks in the Lake District
Whether you’re an amateur ambler looking for a serene wander, or an experienced walker looking for an extensive hike, the Lake District has an abundance of walks for you to discover.
Need inspiration for your next adventure? Here are 5 of the best walks in the Lake District…
Latrigg, Keswick
Walk location: Moot Hall, Keswick
Avg walk time: 2 to 2.5 hours
Possibly the easiest mountain walk on the list, Latrigg is one of the lowest fells in the Lake District and receives a lot of footfall from walkers looking for a captivating view and easy mountain hike.
Walkers can take a trip along a well-trodden path to the summit and see views down the Borrowdale Valley. The walk is an easy up and down route from Keswick via Spooney Green Lane, with a circular path around the summit.
As you approach the viewpoint, you’ll be presented with breathtaking views, looking out over Keswick Town, Derwentwater, and the surrounding fells. If you can’t make it all the way from Keswick, there’s also a car park at Gale Road above Applethwaite with a limited mobility path to the summit.
Castle Crag, Borrowdale
Walk location: Rosthwaite
Avg walk time: 3 to 4 hours
Said to be one of the “finest square miles in the Lake District” by writer Alfred Wainwright, Castle Crag is a relatively small hill in the North Western Fells of the Lake District. A slightly more difficult walk, the route has a mixture of steep stepped sections, loose stone, and level sections, and there is a steep but brief climb to the summit.
As you climb towards the viewpoint, you’ll be presented with stunning views over the Borrowdale Fells - so make sure to look back occasionally as you ascend the summit! Once at the top, walkers can see right across Derwentwater through to Keswick, with the fells of Blencathra and Skiddaw in the background.
You’ll find the starting point for this walk in the village of Rosthwaite, and there is parking available at the nearby National Trust car park. Alternatively, the Honister Rambler bus service passes through the village and has a stop at the end of the road to the crag.
Catbells, Keswick
Walk location: Hawes End Landing Stage
Avg walk time: 3 hours
Recognised as one of the most popular walks in the Lake District, Catbells is a fell situated in the busy tourist town of Keswick. A moderately difficult walk, the route has a short steep section with some minor scrambling.
The walk receives a high level of footfall from visitors across the country - and it’s easy to see why. You can enjoy sensational views from the moment you walk onto the fell - looking out over Keswick, Borrowdale, and Derwent Water, with views to the west overlooking the Newlands Valley and the Western Fells.
With plenty of photo opportunities and spectacular viewpoints along the way, this is a walk not to be missed when visiting the Lake District.
Ullswater, Pooley Bridge
Walk location: Pooley Bridge
Avg walk time: 8-12 hours
If you’re looking for an idyllic lakeside walk, Ullswater is one of the best the Lake District has to offer. With Glenridding to the south and Pooley Bridge to the north, the lake is surrounded by some of the Lake District’s most spectacular fells.
The walk is a well-signposted 20-mile circular route around the lake. The complete loop will take between 8 - 12 hours, but the route can be split into shorter sections across multiple days, using the Ullswater Steamers or local buses.
Walkers often start the route in Pooley Bridge - the official starting point for the Ullswater Challenge. There are also plenty of villages and cafes along the way, making it ideal for all ages. You’ll also pass the stunning Aira Force Waterfall, which you can find more information on in our must-see UK waterfalls article.
The Coledale Horseshoe, Braithwaite
Walk location: Near Braithwaite village
Avg walk time: 5 hours
The Coledale Horseshoe is one of, if not the hardest walk in the Lake District. Sometimes called ‘The Coledale Round’, the 5-hour walk takes you over the Wainwright Fells surrounding the deep glacial valley of Coledale.
The difficult route has a mix of steep ascents, scrambly rocky steps, but has areas of soft underfoot grassy lawns. It’s worth noting that the route may pose dangers to dogs due to its close proximity to sheer crags.
For those who do attempt the high-level route, it’s worth the challenge - you’ll reach a stunning array of summits, passes, and views. There are plenty of photo opportunities of the views out over Grisedale Pike, Hopehill Head, Crag Hill, Sail, and Outerside.
Walking with the right gear…
It’s important to make sure you have the right gear, especially during the wetter seasons. Sea to Summit has a wide range of quality camping and hiking equipment including storage sacks and waterproof cases for electronic gadgets.
Don’t forget to tag #seatosummituk in your social media posts when you’re out exploring so we can share your experience and see how your trip went.
