Cumbria 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.

A circular walk from the market town of Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria. The route explores the rolling country to the south-west of the town visiting the village of Nateby, before continuing close to Wharton Hall and across Waitby Common back to the start.

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 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 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.

A circular walk dominated throughout by the giant golf ball that is the radar station at Great Dunn Fell. You will use some good roads, some tracks and the Pennine Way on this walk.

It is worth downloading the Knock Geotrail leaflet from the link I have listed below as it provides more information on the geology of the area than given in my description. Similarly, you could follow the link to the Discover Britain webpage and learn about the Helm Wind which is particular to the Cross Fell area.

The Howgill Fells offer excellent walking with few other people sharing the landscape. This walk follows Bowderdale deep into the area before climbing steadily to the highest point in this group of fells. The return route offers grandstand views as you follow a lofty ridge back to the start.

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

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

This walk climbs to the Calf via Fell Head. Starting from the small hamlet of Howgill, near Sedbergh, this route sees few walkers. Offering good views to the Shap Fells and the higher hills of the Yorkshire Dales, this is a walk for the connoiseur.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

Winder and Arant Haw are two hills included in this delightful walk from Sedbergh. The Howgill Fells are an integral part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park yet they display a unique character. The walking is good, the views superb and the paths quiet. Who could ask for more?

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.

St bees beach is one of the most beautiful beach in West Cumbria. The beach is dog-friendly all year round. Great view on Black Combe mountain.
⚠️This walk can only be done at low tide.

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.

Cautley Spout, the Calf, Bram Rigg Top, Calders and Great Dummacks are all included in this walk in the Howgill Fells. Starting from Cross Keys, near Sedbergh, the route offers excellent walking within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and visits one of most dramatic locations in these hills.

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!

Dog-friendly circular walk to Grisedale Pike summit. This walk was done clockwise; however anti-clockwise is better if you prefer a smoother descent.

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

Dog friendly circular walk following the Esk river to see Stanley Force waterfall and extended to the remote tarn of Devoke Water.

Dog-friendly circular walk passing by the three Wainwrights summits of Buckbarrow, Seatallan and Middle Fell.

Dog friendly walk around Cogra Moss tarn using the higher path in the forest.