Walking in Cumbria

Grab a copy of Wainwright and a good OS map and head for the hills, there really is treasure up there! Whatever your taste in walking trails runs to you’ll find something to enjoy here: lakeside strolls, mountain peaks, or wooded valleys. We feature a few of our favourites below but click on 'Take me there' for more exciting routes.

Walking - Cumbria Way

The Cumbria Way is one of England's most glorious long-distance treks, traversing the heart of the Lake District from Carlisle in the north to Ulverston in the south, a total of 70 miles (112km). The route cuts through classic Lakeland country via Coniston, Langdales (photo), Elterwater, Borrowdale, Derwent Water, Skiddaw Forest and Caldbeck.

Walk - Ravenstonedale to Smardale Viaduct

Starting from Ravenstondale School close to the Black Bull Inn, this 7.5 mile walk takes in two nature reserves, an ancient church and priory, a flower rich meadow, a meandering beck, Giants’ graves, and an impressive viaduct. Download the pdf route file from the Eden Rivers Trust - Take me there link.

Walks - Lyth Valley from the Punch Bowl Inn

The Punch Bowl nestles in the heart of the unspoilt Lyth Valley countryside, a hidden corner of Cumbria just 15-minutes drive from bustling Windermere, where views of damson trees and orchards stretch for miles - there is no better place to unwind. Fabulous walks radiate from the inn's doorstep and you'll enjoy great valley and fell views - see the Damson Walks link.

Walks from Askham

The Askham area is a walker’s paradise, set above the River Lowther it is the perfect setting for a riverside walk. If you are looking for spectacular scenery or something more challenging, walk up Askham fell and connect to various scenic walks, or combine your day out with a cruise on an Ullswater steamer. Click on 'Take me there' for some ideas from Charlie, owner of Askam Hall, the Queens Head and the George & Dragon.

Howgill Fells from Sedbergh

Wainwright described the Howgills “like velvet curtains in sunlight and like silken drapes at sunset” and their haunting beauty is a stunning backdrop to the town. It's a great walking base, with easy access to the Howgills, Dentdale, Garsdale and more, and Black Bull is the place to stay in town - they have printed walks and maps you can borrow.

Walk - Brougham Castle & Eden Valley

If you're staying at the George & Dragon at Clifton and want to stretch your legs following a long drive, then this 5 mile walk from Brougham Castle, just a few minutes drive towards Penrith, will work up an appetite for dinner back at the inn. Take me there leads you Andrews Walks for images and a link to the route map.

Walk - Lanercost Priory & Hadrian's Wall

It's just a half-mile stroll up the lane from The Sally at Irthington to reach Hadrian's Wall. Walk east along the Hadrian's Wall long-distance path to Walton where you can walk beside remnants of the Wall to Birdoswald. Alternatively, drive the short distance to Lanercost Priory and enjoy a 5.5 mile circular walk taking in a section of the Hadrian's Wall path - see 'Take me there' link.

Tarn Hows, Ambleside

The lake here, surrounded by woodland forms the perfect centrepiece to many lakeland views. But the beautiful scene is largely an artificial one, with three smaller tarns dammed up to make one larger one and many trees then planted. The estate was bought by Beatrix Potter in 1929 and is now owned by the National Trust. Enjoy fabulous circular walks and majestic mountain views.

Aira Force, Ullswater

A short walk from the National Trust car park on the shore of Ullswater leads to impressive Aira Force, where Aira Beck tumbles 70ft through a sheer-sided chasm beneath trees into a pool beneath viewpoint stone bridges.

Walk - Great & Little Langdale

Great Langdale is a dramatic valley overshadowed by lofty pikes, notably the Langdake Pikes (Harrison Stickle, Pike O'Stickle) for some serious fell walking, and featuring secluded green dales and peaceful little tarns. Although not as dramatic, Little Langdale is blessed with some beautiful scenery with numerous farmsteads strung out along the lush green valley. Stunning circular walk taking in both valleys and majestic Blea Tarn.

Walk - Cat Bells, Keswick

Although a classic route, walking to the top of Cat Bells, south-west of Keswick, is well worth undertaking because of the bird's eye views it gives of Derwentwater and its cluster of islands, and across folds of Lakeland fells in every direction. Feeling adventurous, continue up to and follow Cat Bells Ridge and return via the Cumbria Way along the west shore of the lake.

Walk - Coniston Old Man

Although not the most attractive of mountains - because of the scars left by copper mining and slate quarrying - the old Man of Coniston is perhaps the most imposing of Cumbria's southern fells. Worth the hike for the panoramic views it gives to Blackpool, Morecambe, Heysham and Ulverston.

Walk - Stonethwaite & Watendlath

Borrowdale (south of Derwentwater) is great walking and climbing country dominated by Great Gable at 2949ft (899m) but easier walking can be found close to Stonethwaite in the valley. Follow bridleways and good paths across low fells and through woodland to the hidden hamlet of Watendlath (NT), with its old packhorse bridge, returning via Rosthwaite.

Walk - Elterwater & Loughrigg Tarn

A fairly undemanding and very scenic walk (4 miles) following the Cumbria Way along well waymarked paths and tracks from Elterwater to Skelwith Bridge and returning via Loughrigg Tarn. Bluebell woods, a lake, a tarn, a waterfall and Little Loughrigg make this a memorable walk.

Walk - Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside

Escape the hustle and bustle of Ambleside on a short but quite demanding circuit (5 miles) taking in Lily Tarn and the summit of Loughrigg Fell, a delightful low fell that affords stunning views down Lake Windermere and over the wooded vale of Rydal into the high fells.

Walk - Buttermere Circuit

Follow level lakeside paths on this relaxing walk around majestic Buttermere set in one of the Lakeland's most attractive valleys.

Walk - Around Rydal Water & Grasmere

Grasmere and Rydal abound with reminders of the Romantic poet William Wordsworth, and much of this 6-mile ramble around attractive villages and the beautiful lakes follows his footsteps. Good walking on well waymarked paths, with some stretches along the lake shore, plus gentle climbs that afford stunning lake, valley and fells views. You can visit Dove Cottage, Wordsworth's home from 1799 to 1808, along the way.

Walk - Wasdale Head

Wasdale is one of the quietest, most unspoilt valleys in the northern lakes, famed for its deepest lake, tallest mountain (Scafell Pike), smallest church, and the Wasdale Head Inn, a remote hostelry popular with serious walkers and climbers. Persevere for miles along the single-track road - the scenery and walking opportunities are stunning.

Haweswater RSPB Reserve

RSPB Haweswater encompasses 30 square kilometres of mossy woodland, rushing streams, moorland, heath and bog, set within a dramatic mountainous landscape on the eastern edge of the Lake District National Park.

Walking the Solway Coast

The hauntingly beautiful lowlands and sea marshes east of Carlisle and opposite the mountains of Galloway in Scotland are excellent for exploring by foot and byway. Villages are thick with history: at tiny Burgh-by-Sands King Edward I died and Silloth is a charming little Edwardian seaside resort. The entire Solway Firth is one of Europe’s foremost wetland reserves.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust - Reserves

Get off the beaten track at one of the 40 nature reserves in Cumbria and don your boots and explore some of the recommended Wildlife Walks from the Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Reserves waiting to be explored include Burns Beck Moss near Sedbergh; Bowber Head Farm at Ravenstonedale; Fowlshaw Moss near Witherslack (Ospreys); and South Walney for birds and stunning views across Morecambe Bay.

Esthwaite Water - Osprey Safari

Esthwaite Water is nestled between the lakes of Windermere and Coniston Water. Primarily a private fishery away from the hustle and bustle, the lake is one of the most diverse in the Lake District, providing a haven for wildlife, the star being the Ospreys. The Boathouse Cafe has a live video stream directly from one of the nests. The Osprey Safari is a self drive or guided boat trip around beautiful Esthwaite Water to view the spectacular Ospreys.

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Last updated: 19/03/21