One of the really special things about this UNESCO National Park is the wonderful choice of Lake District walks; there really is something to suit everyone! Whether you prefer a gentle waterside ramble or strenuous mountain climb you’ll find yourself at famous locations, as well as hidden away gems, amidst stunning landscapes. There is so much to discover as well as rich and diverse nature and wildlife to look out for throughout all the four seasons.
This is undoubtedly an all year round destination and as long as you’re prepared for all types of weather you will be guaranteed a fantastic day out walking in the Lake District with family, friends and if you’ve got a dog, with your four legged friend.
The National Park welcomes dogs and responsible owners and there’s a massive choice of dog friendly walks and dog friendly cottages to choose from. As always when walking in the countryside you do need to make sure your dog doesn’t scare farm animals and if walking through fields with livestock they must be kept on a lead at all times. Make sure they are prepared for all types of weather, dogs can chill down considerably, just like us, after a hill climb if it is wet or cold so take a jacket, food and water for them.
We have picked out some walks, but who are we to say they are the best in the Lake District? Let us know which are your favourite days out and why, who was with you, what you saw on the way and share your comments and pictures on our FB or Twitter pages. ( – need some icons with links???)
Starting in Staveley this walk in the south Lakes takes in a wooded area on the East Bank of the River Kent and can be extended to include Burneside or Kendal. Beckmickle Ing has it all, a rich mix of broadleaves and a diverse range of flora. Very much at home here are roe deer and red squirrels and you may spot them walking along one of the many pretty paths amongst blue bells (in spring), bird song and a preserved natural beauty hard to find.
Starting at the woodland entrance on the coffin road this walk is in a lush wood lying within the beautiful Rusland Valley with spectacular views of the fells beyond. The 48 acre ancient woodland is approximately 350 years old and the wide track that dissects it is thought to be a former coffin route used by the villagers of Bouth to reach the nearby church at Colton.
between lakes Coniston and Windermere, offers Nordic Walking throughout the year as well as varied hiking. There are eight marked colour trails to choose from ranging from easy to strenuous, the shortest takes 45 mins (1 mile) and the longest approximately 5 hours (10 miles). You can be walking along forest tracks, bridleways or footpaths and stop off at many of the viewpoints. The Grizedale Visitor Centre has all the information, maps of the routes and two of the walks start from here, the other six walks start from car parks or the Yan, a dynamic new building hidden in the forest.
Miles of surfaced paths and tracks plus stunning views across Bassenthwaite Lake, Dewentwater and Keswick. With 9 marked trails to choose from you will be spoilt for choice, the shortest walk is just over 1 mile and will take approximately 1 hour and the longest is 5 miles and takes approximately 3-4 hours. There is access to Grizedale Pike from various points in the forest which is a strenuous 4 hour walk but well worth the effort with stunning views to enjoy. The visitor information centre has all the information you need including maps of all the walks and a café!
A short walk which includes the flower rich nature reserve of Latterbarrow. This is an ancient woodland area located on the edge of Morecambe Bay estuary. You can gain access from the Cumbria Coastal Way running along the shoreline on the eastern boundary. Don’t miss the bench with wonderful views across the bay to Arnside and Silverdale. The wood is particularly colourful in spring time with native bluebells.
Very accessible at the foot of Lake Windermere, a stunning ancient woodland with a fascinating history and home to the red squirrel and you may spot roe and red deer and woodpeckers. Two access points open up an extensive network of paths and circular walks passing through the villages of Lakeside and Finsthwaite, or you can begin and end here. The paths can be steep and stony and sometimes muddy in winter, you can follow two routes waymarked by the Lake District NP or use the map available from the local tourist information centre to follow the popular geocache trail.
There’s a huge plus side to the high rainfall in the Lake District National Park with some of the most glorious and lush scenery in the world. Serene tarns, magnificent lakes, white water rivers and powerful waterfalls can be found amidst the mountains and hills plus a dramatic coastline as its border in the west. With so many hikes, rambles and walks in the Lake District taking in these watery wonders we have selected a few to give you a real flavour of the diversity on offer.
Tarn Hows (easy from the car park), a 1.8 mile circular walk. Not far from Coniston this walk can be as challenging or as easy as you want. The views from Tarn Hows to the Coniston Fells should not be missed and there’s good parking nearby so good accessibility for the less mobile. This is a Victorian man made beauty spot where the beck was dammed to create the Tarn and the Hows are the surrounding small wooded hills. From the car park the circuit can be done in either direction and the path is smooth and compact so perfect for those with limited mobility, wheelchair and pushchair users. The scenery is stunning with lots of benches to stop off and enjoy the views of the Coniston Hills and Langdale Pikes which form a spectacular backdrop to this magical corner of the Lake District.
Starting in Staveley this walk in the south Lakes takes in a wooded area on the East Bank of the River Kent and can be extended to include Burneside or Kendal. Beckmickle Ing has it all, a rich mix of broadleaves and a diverse range of flora. Very much at home here are roe deer and red squirrels and you may spot them walking along one of the many pretty paths amongst blue bells (in spring), bird song and a preserved natural beauty hard to find.
Starting at the woodland entrance on the coffin road this walk is in a lush wood lying within the beautiful Rusland Valley with spectacular views of the fells beyond. The 48 acre ancient woodland is approximately 350 years old and the wide track that dissects it is thought to be a former coffin route used by the villagers of Bouth to reach the nearby church at Colton.
between lakes Coniston and Windermere, offers Nordic Walking throughout the year as well as varied hiking. There are eight marked colour trails to choose from ranging from easy to strenuous, the shortest takes 45 mins (1 mile) and the longest approximately 5 hours (10 miles). You can be walking along forest tracks, bridleways or footpaths and stop off at many of the viewpoints. The Grizedale Visitor Centre has all the information, maps of the routes and two of the walks start from here, the other six walks start from car parks or the Yan, a dynamic new building hidden in the forest.
Miles of surfaced paths and tracks plus stunning views across Bassenthwaite Lake, Dewentwater and Keswick. With 9 marked trails to choose from you will be spoilt for choice, the shortest walk is just over 1 mile and will take approximately 1 hour and the longest is 5 miles and takes approximately 3-4 hours. There is access to Grizedale Pike from various points in the forest which is a strenuous 4 hour walk but well worth the effort with stunning views to enjoy. The visitor information centre has all the information you need including maps of all the walks and a café!
A short walk which includes the flower rich nature reserve of Latterbarrow. This is an ancient woodland area located on the edge of Morecambe Bay estuary. You can gain access from the Cumbria Coastal Way running along the shoreline on the eastern boundary. Don’t miss the bench with wonderful views across the bay to Arnside and Silverdale. The wood is particularly colourful in spring time with native bluebells.
Very accessible at the foot of Lake Windermere, a stunning ancient woodland with a fascinating history and home to the red squirrel and you may spot roe and red deer and woodpeckers. Two access points open up an extensive network of paths and circular walks passing through the villages of Lakeside and Finsthwaite, or you can begin and end here. The paths can be steep and stony and sometimes muddy in winter, you can follow two routes waymarked by the Lake District NP or use the map available from the local tourist information centre to follow the popular geocache trail.