Best Walks in the Lake District

Top walks

In the Lake District

Low fells

The fells get their name from the Old Norse word, fjalls, which originally meant areas of rough upland grazing. Today, the fells promise some of the best high-level walking in England. Some of the high fells feature rocky summits, narrow edges, and sheer cliffs, however there are countless lower feels more suitable to the general walker. These lower fells below the 2000ft contour and are greener, rounder, and kinder. They can still be steep and strenuous, but the routes are more suitable for the general walker and the views are as incredible.

Ullock Pike, Long Side & Carl Side

No need to drive as this walk can be started from the farmyard! Exit the farmyard through the main entrance, turn right and walk up the backroad passed the pink house. Around 800 metres along this back road you will get to a small car park. Go through the gate adjacent to the parking area and follow the bridleway northeast towards Barkbeth. Turn right a short way along this track at a marker post and follow the obvious path uphill. Bear right through the gate on your left and continue to climb along an excellent greenway into Southerndale. Stay on this track passing the ford on your left with a wonderful ahead towards Skiddaw and the ridge about to be ascended.

The path then leaves the valley and climbs to the col between The Watches and Ling How. Here you turn left and start the climb up the ridge. The path is clear and the going good and progress uphill is fairly rapid. As you climb higher there is one section over rock below the summit of Ullock Pike that needs more care before the path continues to the cairn. Looking ahead you can see the onward route, which follows the ridge. Continuing over Long Side, stay on the main path to Carl Side Tarn (Little evidence of this on the ground). Here turn sharp right on a broad path to the summit of Carl Side from where excellent views over Derwentwater maybe enjoyed.

The return route generally follows the outward route. However there are two recommended modifications. First take the direct path to Long Side from Carl Side summit. This cuts across grass and avoids the need to retrace your steps to the non-existent Tarn. Continue over Long Side and Ullock Pike as in the outward route. Reaching the col after Long How, continue ahead down the ridge to reach a wall. Turn right and follow the path down to the track in Southerndale used on the outward walk. Turn left and retrace your steps back to the start.

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Lord’s Seat & Barf

From the Whinlatter pass visitor centre follow the clearly waymarked trails into the forest. A circuitous route brings you out onto the open fell and the summit of Lord’s seat. A good path continues to the summit of Barf with stunning views over Bassenthwaite Lake and the distant Skiddaw massif. The route then crosses Beckstones gill to re-join forest tracks and descend through the trees back to the Whinlatter pass visitor centre.

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Dodd

This walk to the top of Dodd uses a combination of waymarked and unmarked forest tracks. The maze of paths can be confusing, so allow plenty of time to complete the circuit. From the old sawmill tearoom forest tracks lead ever upwards to the saddle of long doors, from where a hill path takes you to the summit. A bit of backtracking and careful route finding is required to find the way down. More forest tracks return you to the picnic area, toilets, and the old sawmill tearoom and the car park.

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Catbells

The roadside parking at hawse end soon gets congested on fine days. Yet within minutes you leave all that behind and head up the wonderful ridge of Skelgil Bank. It is everything a Lakeland ridge should be with narrow sections and some lovely rocky steps. A superb two-kilometre walk brings you to the summit of Catbells. The scenic descent drops to the pass of Hause gate. From here a constructed path descends towards Derwent water with the lake spread out below. Not far from the bottom an excellent track is joined to work an elevated route back to Hawse End.

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Castle Crag

From Rosthwaite car park, the walk crosses the river Derwent before tackling the rough slopes of Castle Crag. A slippery descent from the summit brings you to a ravine where you join the Allerdale Ramble and follow the trial across open country. Leaving the trial, the route traverses High Doat before following a network of paths to Seatoller, below the Honister Pass. The return to Rosthwaite runs alongside the river Derwent before crossing on steppingstones, or via New Bridge, if the river is high.

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High fells

The Lakeland fells have inspired writers, artists & walkers for centuries, like the deep valleys that separate them, they were formed by the flow and grind of ancient ice sheets. Above the 2000-foot contour, they form a high mountain environment whose sheer cliffs, narrow edges and exposed rocky summits demand respect. Today this rugged upland landscape is one of the most visited hill walking areas in Britain. The high fells feature enough classic routes, challenges, and captivating views to delight even the most demanding fell walker. Below are our top 5 high fells and their walking instructions.