Hiking in the Lake District: The Best Routes to Discover
16 October 2026 (7-minute read)
Feeling daunted by the Scottish Highlands? The Lake District offers a spectacular alternative that's just as wild — and a great deal closer to home. Around 3,200 km (2,000 miles) of public footpaths crisscross England's largest National Park, opening up a landscape of striking variety: mirror-still tarns, plunging waterfalls, panoramic ridges and ancient oak woodland.
Here is our pick of the must-walk routes across the Lakes, from easy family loops to multi-day treks — winter walking included.
Table of contents
What is the most beautiful walk in the Lake District?
Picking THE best walk in the Lakes is mission impossible — every path reveals a different face of the National Park. Three routes do stand out, though, for the sheer drama of their setting and the views they deliver.
Catbells: a Lakeland classic with a postcard panorama
This short ridge walk above Derwentwater starts from Hawes End or Skelgill and packs a remarkable amount of scenery into just 5 km return, with 450 m of ascent. Allow 2.5 to 3 hours to reach the 451-metre summit. From the top, Borrowdale spreads out to the south, Skiddaw rises to the north and Derwentwater shimmers far below — a panorama Alfred Wainwright himself called one of the great surprises of the fells.
The path is well worn, with a couple of mild scrambling sections near the summit ridge that children handle without trouble. Spring and autumn light suits the fells best, and a weekday start helps you sidestep the busier crowds.
Helvellyn via Striding Edge: the most thrilling ridge walk
From Glenridding, the Striding Edge route up Helvellyn covers about 13 km with roughly 800 m of ascent, reaching England's third-highest summit at 950 m. Reckon on 6 to 7 hours for the full round, including the descent via Swirral Edge.
The exposed ridge is a Grade 1 scramble — not technical, but you'll want a clear day, a steady head for heights and proper hiking boots. The reward is a 360-degree view stretching to the Pennines and, on the clearest days, the hills of Galloway. Avoid in high winds, and treat it as a winter mountaineering route once snow settles on the ridge.
Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head: England's roof
Starting from Wasdale Head, the most direct route up Scafell Pike covers 9 km return with 950 m of ascent, leading to the 978-metre summit — England's highest. Reckon on 5 to 6 hours on the rocky path.
On a clear day, the view sweeps from the Isle of Man to Snowdonia and the Galloway Hills. The final section is loose scree and large stone steps, so good boots and full waterproofs are non-negotiable. Even in summer, the weather can flip in minutes — check the Mountain Weather Information Service forecast before you set off.
| Walk | Distance | Time | Ascent | Highlight |
| Catbells | 5 km return | 2.5–3 h | 450 m | Ridge panorama over Derwentwater |
| Helvellyn via Striding Edge | 13 km | 6–7 h | 800 m | Iconic scramble, summit views |
| Scafell Pike from Wasdale | 9 km return | 5–6 h | 950 m | England's highest summit |
Which long-distance treks and National Trails should you explore?
Dreaming of an end-to-end adventure? The Lakes connect to two of England's most iconic National Trails for multi-day walking.
The Coast to Coast and the Pennine Way
The Coast to Coast Walk runs for 314 km (195 miles) from St Bees on the Cumbrian coast to Robin Hood's Bay on the North Sea, crossing the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors in a single line. Devised by Alfred Wainwright in 1973 and now a National Trail, it breaks naturally into 12 to 14 daily stages — pick whatever pace suits your week.
The Pennine Way pushes the adventure further still: 431 km (268 miles) along England's mountain spine, from Edale in the Peak District to Kirk Yetholm on the Scottish border. The route brushes the eastern edge of the Lakes and rewards each climb with sweeping moorland views.
Wild camping, bothies and multi-day planning
Walking the Lakes over 2 to 5 days takes planning and the right kit. Wild camping is not a legal right in England, but it is broadly tolerated on the higher Lakeland fells if you pitch late, leave early and stay well away from roads and enclosed land. Otherwise, a chain of B&Bs, YHAs and the occasional bothy makes shorter days easy to organise — book ahead in summer.
On the kit side, invest in proper boots with ankle support and a well-fitted backpack with a hip belt . The right gear makes the difference once the miles start adding up.
🎒 OUR TIP: For multi-day walking, go for a 40–50 litre pack with a ventilated back system. Pair it with a packable waterproof shell — you keep the weight down without losing the protection you need against fast-changing Lakeland weather.
How do you walk the Lakes in winter?
Winter turns the fells into a different mountain altogether — quieter, harder, and far more rewarding when conditions line up. Low-level walks around Buttermere, Tarn Hows, Aira Force and the Derwentwater shore stay accessible most weeks, while the higher fells (Helvellyn, Scafell Pike, the Langdale Pikes) cross into winter mountaineering territory once snow and ice settle in.
If you head up high, the rules change. Ice axe, crampons and the skills to use them become essential, and an avalanche assessment is part of the day. Many walkers book a winter skills course with a Lake District-based provider before tackling Striding Edge in white-out conditions.
For everyone else, low-level winter walking is among the best in the country. Aim short: be off the hill by 4 pm in December, carry a head torch and spare batteries, and always check the Met Office mountain forecast before you set off. Waterproofs, warm layers and properly insulated boots are the baseline — the Lakes are not the place for half measures in January.
The Lake District: from easy strolls to summit treks
Whether you fancy a lakeside family stroll, a multi-day trek along a National Trail or a crisp winter day above the cloud, the Lake District has the lot. Choose your route to match your day, pack thoughtfully and head out — the fells have a way of staying with you long after the boots come off.
FAQ
What is the most beautiful spot in the Lake District?
Borrowdale often takes the title: ancient oak woodland, the slate-grey walls of Honister, the views from Castle Crag and the brooding head of the valley around Seathwaite — England's wettest inhabited place — together make one of the most atmospheric corners of any National Park. From Keswick, you reach the head of the valley in under half an hour.
Where are the best Lakeland viewpoints?
Four summits stand out: Catbells (451 m) gives a postcard view over Derwentwater, while Helvellyn's summit plateau (950 m) opens onto the Pennines and the Solway Firth on clear days. Scafell Pike, at 978 m, is England's highest viewpoint and stretches as far as Snowdonia, while the Old Man of Coniston rounds off the selection with a sweep over the southern fells and Morecambe Bay.
Where should you head to walk in the Lakes?
For first-timers, the northern Lakes around Keswick and Derwentwater offer accessible walks in a spectacular setting. Stronger walkers tend to head west to Wasdale and the higher fells, while the southern Lakes around Coniston and Langdale combine atmosphere, good transport links and a strong choice of bases for day walks.
