Best trails in Lake District National Park

This is a popular route up Scafell Pike for those wanting to bag the National Three Peaks, with this summit the highest mountain in England at an elevation of 978 meters above sea level. Be prepared for a real adventure and to have an amazing experience with incredible views to reward your efforts. This path should not be underestimated as it requires a very steep and sustained ascent along a combination of rocky steps and very loose gravel where a good level of fitness and very careful...

This is a lovely, family friendly trail taking in great views on a clear day as you make your way round the lake. With sweeping mountains on all ends, this is a very atmospheric route with picturesque paths and sights. Some sections of the trail can be rough and muddy as well as a stretch along the road where care needs to be taken. Appropriate footwear is required. The trail also takes in the historic church in Buttermere and the Hasness Tunnel, a narrow rock-cut passage to allow access...

Starting in White Moss Common car park (fee required), the trail heads over the River Rothay and through the woods to the open hillside, climbing to Rydal Cave, a man-made cave which is the result of slate quarrying. The route then descends via Steps End Wood and the edge of Rydal Water, returning back to the start beside the lake. Enjoy the beautiful views over the countryside and lake and keep an eye out for wildlife Take care along the rougher sections of this trail, especially in...

This is a very challenging and strenuous trail taking you to the summit of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England, with an elevation of 978 meters (3200 feet) above sea level. The trail can be hard to follow particularly in periods of low visibility, so good navigation skills are required. The route climbs from Seathwaite to Styhead Tarn and Styhead Pass to join the Corridor Route to Lingmell Col. This is a very exposed, narrow, rocky, and rough path which will require very careful...

Starting from the Aira Force National Trust car park, this circular trail takes in the waterfalls and cascades, the summit of Gowbarrow Fell, and great views of the surrounding hills and Ullswater. After enjoying beautiful views of the waterfall with its 65ft drop, head out of the forest, up into the hills, and to the top of Gowbarrow Fell where you can take a break and look out over the surrounding fells and Ullswater on clear day. The trail then continues along the path down the hillside,...

This trail takes in a spectacular and popular circular around Hawes End, Cat Bells, and Derwent Water where your efforts will be rewarded with great views on a clear day. Parking cars on busy days can be very difficult so be prepared to find alternatives or come early to avoid disappointment. Please do not obstruct through traffic and entrances along the narrow lanes. Ascending from Hawes requires many steep steps and a scramble to the top some of which can be are very icy and slippery on...

Please note: as of January 2022 there is flood damage along this trail curtailing the loop or requiring a detour via Grange at the southern end of the circular. Please check local conditions before heading out and come prepared for a possibly longer day out. There can surely be no other more satisfying trail in the Lake District that offers so much, with no height gained, is a decent length, and occupies a whole day than a circuit of Derwent Water. This circular is in a clockwise direction...

The Old Man of Coniston has a curious name. “Old Man” is derived from “Alt Maen” meaning “High Stone”, and Coniston comes from the Old Norse “Konigs Tun” or King’s Farm. The mountain has seen extensive copper and slate mining for eight hundred years, and the remains of abandoned mines and tips are a feature of the north-east slopes. There are also several flocks of sheep that are grazed on the mountain as well as a remains of mining activities which can be hazardous, so please keep dogs under...

This trail starts at Swirls car park (pay and display) near Thirlmere Reservoir and climbs to the summit of Helvellyn, the highest peak in the Helvellyn Range, and the third highest peak in the Lake District. From the summit there are stunning views of Red Tarn, the scrambles of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge, the villages of Glenridding and Patterdale, and the wider Lake District mountains. This route starts with a long and sustained climb with stone steps and rocky sections. A real test...

Enjoy this beautiful trail around Loughrigg Fell, with its amazing views as you make your way round the slopes, past the tarn, and up to the summit. This route is therefore best attempted on a calm and clear day to make the most of this vantage point. This route is a combination of rougher paths, stone steps, and paved roads as you make your way round. Starting along the road beside the River Rothay and through Miller Row, the bridleway is joined and the path climbs into the hills, over...