The most scenic walks in the Lake District

Alfred Wainwright (1907-1991) is one of the Lake District’s most famous fell-walkers. He devoted his life to mapping the area with his seven famous books, The Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells, leaving a lasting impact and inspiring walkers of all abilities and experience levels for decades. 

With so many glorious trails, lakes and peaks to choose from, we know it can be tricky to decide where to start! So whether you’re seeking a challenging summit-scramble, an easy waterside stroll or something in-between, we’ve pulled together some of the most scenic walks in the Lake District with a good variety of distances, difficulties and terrains to help you plan your on-foot adventures.

Scafell Pike 

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 6 miles 

At 978 metres tall, Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England and one part of the famous National Three Peaks Challenge. Whilst it’s a popular walking route and thousands of people trek to the summit each year, even the shortest and most direct route from Wasdale Head requires good preparation and fitness, with some very steep climbing and rocky scrambles. Your hard work will be rewarded though, with jaw-dropping views across Wast Water and the National Park from the top. Plus you’ll get a wonderful sense of achievement to have conquered the country’s highest peak, of course! 

Catbells

Difficulty: Easy-moderate

Distance: 3.5 miles

At just 451 metres with well-trodden pathways to the summit, Catbells is the perfect beginners’ mountain. Wainwright described it as a ‘family fell where grandmothers and infants can climb the heights together’. There are still rugged and steep sections to be aware of, but this 3.5 mile round-trip route from Hawes End (the most popular ascent at Catbells) is manageable for many walkers and you’ll still get panoramic vistas that feel worthy of a much higher mountain. The accessibility of this walk does mean it gets very busy, so you might want to set off early.

Derwentwater 

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 10 miles

Often called ‘the Queen of the Lakes’, many believe Derwentwater near the town of Keswick to be one of the National Park’s most beautiful lakes. You can soak up the stunning scenery on this 10-mile route that circles the lake’s entire shoreline, lined with ancient woodland – look out for red squirrels as you go!). The waymarked path is flat and easy, though at 10 miles long and sometimes wet and muddy, it still feels like a moderately challenging day’s walk. There are plenty of lovely spots to stop for a picnic, plus a number of cafés if you don’t fancy carrying your lunch with you. 

Helvellyn 

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 4.5 miles

Another beloved fell in the Lake District, Helvellyn stands at 950 metres, making it the third highest peak in England. Whilst not as tall as its neighbour Scafell Pike, its towering knife-edge ridges create a striking silhouette and a notoriously challenging route, though 250,000 hardy hikers still climb to its summit every year. This trail offers a shorter-but-steep ascent that’s sure to test your legs and your head for heights – but will reward you with epic views from start to finish. However, it should only be attempted by experienced hill climbers with good navigation skills, on a fair weather day with clear visibility.

Aira Force

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 1 mile

One of the most famous waterfalls in the Lakes, Aira Force is a 20 metre cascade set in a steep gorge with fairytale-esque woodland surroundings. There are a number of different walking trails to choose from at this National Trust-managed site – but the circular 1-mile waterfall loop is a popular choice, especially if you’ve got children in tow or are looking for a short stomp. For a longer walk of moderate difficulty, you can continue from Aira Force on this 4.5 mile trail to the summit of Gowbarrow, where you’ll get sweeping views of nearby Ullswater Lake.

Orrest Head

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 2.8 miles

Orrest Head to the east of Windermere is famously the first fell that Alfred Wainwright ever climbed back in 1930. He was so taken aback by its beauty, he was inspired to spend the rest of his life living in the Lakes and creating the guidebooks that are now so synonymous with the area. This circular route is fairly short and quick, gradually taking you uphill through a peaceful forest before getting steeper as you reach the 238 metre viewpoint. From the top you’ll get incredible views over Lake Windermere and Scafell Pike, and even as far as the Irish Sea on a clear day. 

Langdale Pikes 

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 6 miles

The Langdale Pikes are a distinctive cluster of fells in the picture-perfect Langdale Valley, right in the heart of the National Park. Unsurprisingly, this striking landscape is a popular spot for hikers, offering a variety of walks to explore its peaks, each with stunning views. The well-trodden Langdale Pikes circular is a classic choice. Despite its fairly modest distance, this is a challenging trail that ascends several summits over some rugged and difficult terrain, so it's best suited to hikers with good fitness and experience of multi-peak walking. 

Grasmere and Rydal

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 6 miles

Poet William Wordsworth described the vale of Grasmere and Rydal as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’ before moving there permanently in 1799 – and it’s easy to see why. This pretty village and hamlet are surrounded by magnificent craggy fells and the iconic Grasmere Lake, making it a gorgeous spot to explore on foot. This 6-mile circular trail, starting and finishing in Rydal, takes you on a scenic journey through the trees and countryside with wonderful views of the lake en route. You could visit the former home of the Wordsworths, Dove Cottage, when in Grasmere too. 

Old Man of Coniston 

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 6.6 miles

The Old Man of Coniston is another of the Lake District’s tallest peaks at 803 metres high – and you can walk to the summit on this 6.6-mile trek from the village of Coniston. Whilst it’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts today, Coniston was originally a copper and slate mining area, and you’ll see remains and relics from its industrial past along the route. The trail zigzags steeply to the top, a good place to pause to take in the spectacular views across the Langdale Pikes, before making an exhilarating turn along the summit ridge and descending back to Coniston village. 

Tarn Hows

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 2 miles 

Set in the low-level hills between Coniston and Hawkshead, Tarn Hows is a popular spot with a short and easy walk around a dramatic tree-lined tarn. This man-made (but still beautiful!) area was once owned by Beatrix Potter before it was later donated to the National Trust to manage. You can explore the site and marvel over the spectacular views on this 2-mile circular footpath, with accessible options suitable for mobility scooters and pushchairs. You can even borrow an all-terrain tramper scooter for free (booked in advance) for those who are less mobile but still want to enjoy the scenery. 

Skiddaw

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 10.5 miles

Towering over Bassenthwaite Lake just outside of Keswick, Skiddaw is the fourth highest peak in the Lakes and another of the area’s top destinations for mountain walking. There are several different trails you can take to reach its rounded grassy summit of 931 metres, depending on which side you’re approaching from and how much of a challenge you’re seeking! This 10.5-mile out-and-back route from Keswick via the Jenkin Hill Bridleway is one of the most common, with a mix of clear well-trodden paths and tougher scree terrain. From the summit you’ll get panoramas of Derwentwater in the south and Scotland in the north.  

Buttermere

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 4.2 miles 

In the northwest of the Lake District, Buttermere is a tranquil hamlet and lake with a backdrop of breathtaking fells. It’s quieter than some of its more well-visited neighbours, Ullswater and Windermere, and is a haven for those seeking a peaceful and easy-to-navigate lakeside ramble that’s suitable for all of the family. This 4.2-mile trail circles Buttermere on a relatively flat path, with impressive views along the way, including Fleetwith Pike, the High Stile range and Haystacks, which Wainwright dubbed ‘the best fell-top of all’. 

Loughrigg Fell

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 7.5 miles

Set near the popular town of Ambleside and the village of Grasmere, Loughrigg Fell is one of the most picturesque in the centre of the National Park and another favourite spot for fell-walking. Casual hikers can reach the summit in around an hour and be treated to views over Windermere, Grasmere and Rydal Water from its vantage point. If you’re up for a longer, moderately challenging walk that takes in mesmerising vistas from all directions and has a mix of terrains to satisfy your sense of adventure, try this 7.5-mile circular route, starting and finishing at Ambleside. 

Black Moss Pot and Galleny Force

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 3.7 miles

If you like the idea of tying in your walk with a rejuvenating swim, try this 3.7-mile easy-going route to Black Moss Pot and Galleny Force in the Langstrath Valley. Starting at Stonethwaite Farm, you’ll make your way through the meandering valley, past several waterfalls including the picture-perfect Galleny Force. Continue and you’ll reach Black Moss Pot, one of the most popular wild swimming spots in the Lake District. This crystal clear turquoise pool and waterfall is surrounded by craggy rocks – perfect for jumping off, if you’re feeling brave! 

Castle Crag

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 5 miles

Castle Crag and its neighbour King’s How are two fells known as the ‘Jaws of Borrowdale’, thanks to their sharp protruding appearance. Despite the rather ominous name, this 5-mile trail to Castle Crag provides a wonderfully scenic walk that’s not overly challenging, especially being the smallest of the hills in Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides (300 metres). Starting at the National Trust car park in Seatoller, you’ll begin with a moderate climb that’ll get your heart pumping – but then the route mellows out to a rolling contour, with glorious views all across the green valley. 

Kentmere Horseshoe

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 11.5 miles

If you’re looking for an epic, off-the-beaten-track hike in the mountains where you can tick off a number of Wainwrights in one day, Kentmere Horseshoe could be the destination for you. At 12.8 miles in distance, this challenging route is one of the longest and most remote walks in the Lake District. It traverses all of the fells in the upper Kentmere valley, summiting a whopping nine Wainwrights in total. You can expect tough, rocky terrain and lots of leg-burning elevation – but your efforts will be paid off with the extraordinary views across Windermere and the Helvellyn range. 

Where to stay in the Lake District

For an idyllic place to stay during your Lake District walking adventures, take a look at our two handpicked hideaways in Cumbria. The Wren’s Nest is a peaceful, cosy cabin with a blissful woodfired hot tub. Or if sleeping (and bathing!) amongst the trees sounds like your idea of heaven, you’ll love the rustic Tawny Owl Treehouse.