Walks in Cumbria
25 of the best walks in the Lake District National Park
Of all the national parks in Britain, the Lake District in North England is arguably the most celebrated – discover the area's fells, rivers, waters and towns with our guide to the best walks in the Lake District National Park.
Cat Bells: a walker's guide to the most beautiful mini mountain in the Lake District
Explore the famous fell of Cat Bells in the Lake District with BBC Countryfile Magazine's 3.5-mile walking route.
Castlerigg Stone Circle walk, Lake District
This 4.5-mile circular walk from Keswick to Castlerigg Stone Circle offers magnificent fell views of Skiddaw, Blencathra and the mighty Helvellyn range
Priest’s Hole Cave walk, Lake District
Go in search of Priest's Hole – a famous cave perched on the side of Dove Crag in Lake District – on this 5.4-mile walk.
Old Man of Coniston walk, Lake District
Walk beside high tarns and copper-mining relics to the summit of the Old Man of Coniston, a magical fell-top in the heart of the Lake District
Whinlatter Forest walk, Cumbria
Go Ape, Park Run, bike trails and miles of walking tracks - Whinlatter Forest has something for everyone. Experience a taste of the forest park with this 3.4-mile circular walk
Derwent Water walk, Lake District
This gorgeous nine-mile circular walk around Derwent Water starts and ends in Keswick, passing impressive waterfalls, peaceful woodlands and dreamy marinas along the way
Claife Heights walk, Lake District
Wander along Windermere's wooded shoreline then climb to a series of atmospheric tarns and pasturelands atop Claife Heights
Great Rigg walk, Lake District
This hearty circular walk climbs from the shores of Rydal Water to the summit of Great Rigg then back via Grasmere. Those with energy to spare can continue on to the hidden plunge pool of Buckstones Jump for a secret swim.
Haweswater to High Street walk, Lake District
A 6.2-mile circular walk from the shores of Haweswater to High Street and Mardale Ill Bell in the Far Eastern Fells of the Lake District National Park.
Haystacks walk, Lake District
Wander the shores of Buttermere then climb to the summit of Haystacks and the ethereal Innominate Tarn – where Alfred Wainwright's ashes were scattered – on this 7.4-mile route in the Lake District National Park
Place Fell walk, Lake District
Catch the boat from Glenridding across Ullswater to nearby Howtown, then enjoy a 7-mile hill walk back via the 657m summit of Place Fell.
Sedgwick to Natland walk, Cumbria
This 3.7-mile walk between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District follows the abandoned Northern Reaches canal before returning along the bustling River Kent
Lingmoor Fell walk, Lake District
This lowland circular walk through the heart of the Lake District is packed with splendours, including Blea Tarn, Chapel Stile and the glorious Langdale Pikes
Buttermere and Rannerdale Knotts walk, Lake District
This lake and fell 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.
Loughrigg Fell walk, Cumbria
You don’t have to climb high in the Lake District to get the finest fell views – this short circular walk to the top of Loughrigg Fell and along Loughrigg Terrace offers rewards aplenty
Howgill Fells walk, Yorkshire Dales
This challenging walk in the north-western corner of the Yorkshire Dales begins in the village of Sedbergh and climbs into Howgill Fells – take a break on The Calf, with staggering views west over the Cumbria landscape and east over North Yorkshire.
Skiddaw walk, Cumbria
Climb to the 931m summit of Skiddaw, one of the Lake District's most iconic mountains, with this 7.6-mile circular walk
Walk: Dentdale, Cumbria
This magical circular walk through Dentdale begins at the village of Dent, passing through Gawthorp before returning along the banks of the River Dee.
Walk: Buttermere and Ennerdale, Cumbria
This 25 miles (40km) walk explores two of the Lake District's most beautiful valleys – Buttermere and Ennerdale. The hike is broken into three days, with potential stop-overs on each night at a walkers youth hostel
Walk: Howtown to Glenridding, Ullswater, Cumbria
Board a historic steamer before walking one of Wainwright’s most-loved paths in the Lake District National Park.
Walk: Seatoller to Keswick, Cumbria
Catch the bus from Keswick to Seatoller then return on foot through Borrowdale alongside the glorious River Derwent and Derwent Water.
Walk: Wasdale Head Inn, Gosforth, Cumbria
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
Walk: Rydal and Grasmere, Cumbria
On this six-mile walk in Wordsworth country, the Lake District's autumn hues rival those of New England
