Of all the national parks in Britain, the Lake District in Cumbria is arguably the most celebrated – discover the the area's fells, rivers, waters and towns with our favourite walks
The Lake District National Park comprises 912 square miles of high mountains, lakes, rivers and coastline, and receives almost 16 million visitors a year. No wonder, then, that it was loved so dearly by Beatrix potter, Alfred Wainwright, Arthur Ransome and William and Dorothy Wordsworth.
Buttermere and Rannerdale Knotts, Cumbria
Route details
7.5 miles
4 hours
Moderate
This autumn walk includes some of the Lake District’s most beautiful trees and forests, where myth and legend tangle with the Scots pines and the golden needles of larches.
Rydal and Grasmere, Cumbria
Route details
6 miles
4 hours
Moderate
On this six-mile walk in Wordsworth country, the Lake District’s autumn hues rival those of New England. But it’s just at picturesque in winter, spring and summer.
Cat Bells, Cumbria
Route details
5.7km/3.5 miles
2.5 hours
Moderate
This Lake District mountain is small compared to its neighbours, yet what it lacks in height it makes up for in accessibility, views and atmosphere.
Lingmoor Fell Circuit, Cumbria
Route details
13.4km/8.3 miles
5 hours
Hard
This lowland loop walk through the heart of the Lake District National Park is packed with splendours – from glistening tarns and craggy fells to magical, mossy bridges.
Ennerdale and Haystacks, Cumbria
Route details
22.9km/14.2 miles
7 hours
Hard
Ennerdale is the most remote valley in the Lake District and one of the National Park’s best-kept secrets – follow this lakeside route to the summit of Haystacks.
Hawkshead and Latterbarrow, Cumbria
Route details
5km/3.1 miles
2 hours
Easy/moderate
The small village of Hawkshead in the middle of the Lake District National Park is a great base for exploring the surrounding hills, including the modest peak of Latterbarrow.
Wasdale Head Inn, Gosforth, Cumbria
Route details
7.9km/4.9 miles
3 hours
Moderate
This venerable inn, hidden within the valleys and mountains of the Lake District, has housed some of Britain’s best novelists and poets – find out what inspired these great writers with a five-mile walk.
Grizedale Forest, Cumbria
Route details
12.2km/7.5 miles
4 hours
Moderate
Rippling across the crags between Windermere and Coniston, Grizedale is 8,000 acres of mixed forest laced with tracks and endowed with a renowned series of outdoor sculptures.
Old Man of Coniston, Cumbria
Route details
11.1km/6.9 miles
5 hours
Hard
The village of Coniston, an attractive little spot bisected by the bustling waters of a mountain stream, sits near the northern end of beautiful Coniston Water in Cumbria. Walk beside high tarns and copper-mining relics to a magical fell-top vista in the Lake District National Park.
Howtown to Glenridding, Ullswater, Cumbria
The route
10.6km/6.6 miles
4 hours
Moderate
Catch a boat across one of the Lake District’s most beautiful waters and return on a 6.6-mile-long shoreline path.
Castle Crag, Cumbria
The route
6.5km/4 miles
2.5 hours
Moderate
Explore a famous hermit’s cave and an eerie quarry on a bracing walk in the fells of Borrowdale.
Brigsteer Woods, Cumbria
Route details
6.6km/ 4.1 miles
2 hours
Easy/moderate
Walk past a medieval castle and glowing wild daffodils with this four-mile walk in the Lake District National Park.
Holme Wood, Loweswater, Cumbria
Route details
5.9km/3.7 miles
2 hours
Moderate
Holme Wood lies not far from the Lake District National Park boundary and sits on the shores of one of its most idyllic lakes – explore this special corner of Britain with a four-mile walk.
Bowness-on-Windermere to Kennel Wood, Cumbria
Route details
2.8 miles/ 4.6km
2 hours
Moderate
A mile or two from the bustle of Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District National Park stands a lonely oak, at its most enchanting after a night of snowfall in winter.
Duddon Valley, Cumbria
The route
10km/6.2 miles
4 hours
Moderate
Discover a secluded corner of the Lake District that hums with memories of Wordsworth and still offers the beauty and tranquillity he sought.
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