What to do and see in Lake District, England: The Best Hiking Trails

March 27, 2022 Claudia Navarrete

Cumbria's valleys and fells (as the low mountains are known) are home to idyllic villages, high moorlands and picturesque lakes. Literary buffs will enjoy Wordsworth's Dove Cottage (go in March to see daffodils), and if you've got kids in tow, visit The World of Beatrix Potter. Or just enjoy a leisurely drive through beautiful scenery.
Restaurants in Lake District

1. High Damtarn

Finsthwaite, Newby Bridge England
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

High Damtarn

2. Bowfell and Crinkle Crags

Seascale England
Excellent
84%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 25 reviews

Bowfell and Crinkle Crags

3. Great Gable

England
Excellent
89%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 37 reviews

Great Gable

Reviewed By 181SimonB

This is a great circular walk which takes a little over 6 hours covering about 10 miles.We started from the farmers car park at Seathwaite taking in the waterfall of sour milk gill then into Gillercombe valley up onto Green Gable down windy gap and a scramble up to Great Gable coming back via Moses Trod and down to Honister then back to Seathwaite. Its a medium / Hard route so make sure you have the right equipment worth doing on a sunny day for the amazing views.

4. Haystacks

England
Excellent
82%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 39 reviews

Haystacks

Reviewed By Kev-and-Carmel - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Completed this hike today..as someone who.is overweight and not very fit I did struggle on the way up.. but taking regular breaks and breathers til I got my breath back helped a lot.. once I got to the top I was absolutely amazed by the views.. well worth the ascent.. the path is quite a difficult terrain to walk on.. very rocky and my foot slipped a few times.. there is quite a lot of scrambling and lowering yourself down rock faces ect (loved that bit). Once you start heading down it's quite sore on ur knees and feet.. All and all I thoroughly enjoyed my first proper hike.. if ur a beginner like me you will struggle but not enough u won't be able to complete the walk.. brilliant xxx

5. Catbells Lakeland Walk

Keswick England +44 1229 587232 http://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_26.html
Excellent
84%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,648 reviews

Catbells Lakeland Walk

Reviewed By gburge - Basingstoke, United Kingdom

Who doesn’t visit Cat Bells when visiting Keswick or its surrounding villages. I lovely climb with a lovely view from Newlands or ascend via Little Town to Hause Gate and also visit Maiden Moor or even do a ridge route horse show and descend via Robinson’s for the more experienced walker.

6. Helvellyn

England
Excellent
90%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 280 reviews

Helvellyn

This is England's 3rd highest mountain at 3,118 feet.

Reviewed By sjh1404 - Weston super Mare, United Kingdom

This was our first attempt at climbing this awe inspiring peak. We took the route from Glenridding with a planned figure of eight taking in Striding Edge, the Summit, Swirrals Edge and then skirting Red Tarn to return close to Patterdale and Lanty’s Tarn back to Glenridding. The weather was beautiful and the scenery unsurpassed. I must stress that Striding Edge is a challenge and should not be undertaken lightly. It is a climb where you will be looking for foot and handholds but so worth it. I am not a super fit experienced hiker so if I can manage it then most people can and the sense of achievement is a great incentive to keep going. There are plenty of other routes to the summit of this, the third highest peak in England, so it caters for all abilities. One hiker we met on the descent had undergone a double knee replacement and was putting us all to shame. Give this a go. Check the weather. Take plenty of water and wear the right footwear. I am sure you won’t be disappointed.

7. Helm Crag

Central Fells, Grasmere LA22 9RS England
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 316 reviews

Helm Crag

Reviewed By davidbF4980XR - Corby, United Kingdom

Decided to do Helm Crag walk as its reviews were encouraging, so we set off up the lane opposite the bookshop this is located on the main road on right hand side , drive most of the way through village there is a signpost for toilets by bookshop or park in village and walk up main road , we did this, so walk up the lane they says Easedale tarn you will come to a signpost that says Easedale tarn and Helm Crag (lamb and lion walk ) turn right here and follow road until you come to footpath to mountain on right hand side, then it’s uphill all the way , now we’re not the fittest but the climb isn’t too bad but it does open up your lungs by the time you get to the top , there are a few spots on way up to take in the stunning view and when you get to the top you’re rewarded with stunning views, there is a grassed area to rest and picnic , note there is two summits lion and lamb a few meters apart so lion first then moved on to lamb , on descent we followed on over lamb you can see footpath from summit forks some meters ahead , so descend and when you get to fork , take right hand track through fern this is a very pleasing descent zig zagging down mountain until you come to a tarmac road follow down until you come to rocks at road junction to stop cars going up to farm turn right here and follow road back to Grasmere you’ll come out onto lane by goody bridge , yay your back , took about 3 1/2 hrs we were slow due to the wife holding us back but you could do in 3 I’m sure , thoroughly enjoyed though may be stiff as a board in the morning ???????? .

8. Central Fells

Braithwaite, Keswick England
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 48 reviews

Central Fells

9. Old Man of Coniston

Coniston England http://www.conistonmountainrescue.org.uk/index.php/contact-us/contact-us
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 637 reviews

Old Man of Coniston

Reviewed By russellnicholson997 - Northolt, United Kingdom

This Famous Lake District Mountain, has a Unique place in the Hearts of Many Walkers and is in Wainwrights Favourite Lakeland Mountains,for Good reason....it Towers over the Tiny Lakeland village of Coniston... it's rich Mining industry is another Very Good reason to Walk this particular Peak....There are a Number of Routes up, through the Copper Mines Valley, which takes you through the Workings of the Copper Mines, and another Very Good route is Via The Walna Scar Road....it's possible to Walk right from the Village, although this route we Did ( is Very Steep) initially...The Track is well marked and Gently Zig Sags,as it Winds it's way up the Side of the Old Man......passing through the Truly Stunning Scene of the Slate/Mining Workings from Centuries ago ( PLEASE RESPECT THE FACT, THIS IS A HERITAGE SITE AND MANY ARTEFACTS FROM THAT PERIOD OF TIME ARE THERE TO BE SEEN) PLEASE RESPECT THIS AND DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING....Thank you.... as the Path Climbs ,you will pass Many old Shaft Entrances, they are Fascinating to Observe/Photograph, but PLEASE DON'T ENTER, most of the Major Entrances are Sealed off.... They are Extremely Dangerous..... and are not to be Entered.... as you Climb the Track,you will pass very Close to Low Water,one of the Tarns,which Supplied Water to give power to the Crushers,to enable Ore Extraction....The Scene is Breathtaking, as the Clods gently Lapping the Mountain sides, the sun's peeps through the clouds,lighting up the Azzure Blue sky.... the Summit is not far away now,where you will be Greeted by an Amazing Cairngorms,and the Trig point, lays just a few paces behind the main Cairn.... On Clear Days ( Sadly WE DIDN'T GET TO SEE THE VIEWS) on this Occasion, but Superb vistas ,far and Wide, to Grange over Sands ,Towards the Scafells, the Iconic peaks ( Highest in England) there are Exceptional Views of these Mountains from the Old Man.... PLEASE REMEMBER TO ENSURE THAT PROPER FOOTWEAR( WALKING BOOTS) Waterproofs,High Energy Snacks and Drinks....are Essential....And ALWAYS Check the Weather Forecast for the Mountain, the Night before ....Mountain Weather changes ,VERY Quickly......

10. Hallin Fell

Pooley Bridge, Penrith England
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 168 reviews

Hallin Fell

Reviewed By paulsymonds - Haverhill, United Kingdom

Only my second Lakeland fell climb to date to me to Hallin Fell. We accessed the climb from the car park at St Peters church in Martindale. The little road that passes a few camp sites is driven from near Pooley bridge. Beware at busy times bank holidays being the main, the road is extremely difficult to navigate due volume of traffic and on one occasion a full sized coach manoeuvred along when we exited. Back to the climb, it is a very steep grassy track accessed on the opposite side of the road. With average fitness and resting you should make the summit in around half an hour. Believe me the views are magnificent in all directions. I loved it and I'm sure you will too, it's worth all the effort!

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