9 Lake District Mountain Walks For Beginners
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I was one year old the first time I set foot in the Lake District National Park. I grew up in Preston, a mere one hour drive from the Southern lakes, and was taken to the Lakes at least once a year throughout my childhood.
It is a special place I have visited without fail at least once a year ever since.
With over 15 million people visiting the Lake District, it is the UK’s most popular National Park, and for good reason. Incredible scenery, hidden tarns, fresh air, great walks, cosy pubs selling local food and real ale, and more mountains than you can shake a stick at.
For me, if you like the outdoors, like hiking and enjoy the countryside, visiting the Lake District is a no brainer, regardless whether it is summer, spring, winter or autumn.
Over the last few weeks I’ve spoken to a few friends and fellow travel bloggers who have never been to the Lake District, and aren’t really sure where to begin. So I thought it was long overdue that I wrote about one of my favourite places, and gave you a list of nine fantastic beginner Lake District walks.
WHY HAVE I CHOSEN THESE LAKE DISTRICT WALKS?
You’ll find quite a few articles online that list various walks for Lake District newbies. I’ve compiled this list based on my own memories and experiences, but ensuring every hike takes into account the following:
- Each walk takes in special views
- Each walk includes some height gain (but not too much)
- Each walk will not push you out of your comfort zone if you’re worried about fitness and map reading
- Each walk goes past a pub (sometimes two pubs)
- Each walk is close to a river, tarn or lake
- Each walk is based close to the main towns of Ambleside and Keswick, which will help for accommodation options and transport links
MAPS AT THE READY
Although the walks listed below have links with maps attached, I would always advise walkers to buy a map of the area they are walking in, and have it with them during the hike. Don’t rely on your phone to get you out of trouble.
These are the maps I would recommend, depending on which beginner walks you want to do:
- OS Explorer OL4 Map (Keswick & North Western Region) – http://amzn.to/2bXX7jh
- OS Explorer OL7 Map (Ambleside & South Eastern Region) – http://amzn.to/2c4JNpb
- Waterproof, Bigger Scale, Covers All Areas Awesome BMC Map – http://amzn.to/2cgUXdN
LAKE DISTRICT BEGINNER WALKS – AMBLESIDE
These first few easy mountain walks begin in or around Ambleside. Located in the South Lakes, Ambleside is easily accessible by bus, car or train, and has loads of accommodation options, from hotels, bed and breakfasts, Airbnb’s and an amazing couple of youth hostels. There are also plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants in Ambleside too, so it’s the perfect place to start your Lake District experience.
The highlighted areas on the map below show the suggested walks.
Highlighted areas show the two beginner walks near Ambleside |
1. WANSFELL PIKE (482m)
- Summary: Great views back over Ambleside and across Lake Windermere
- Height Gain: 482m
- Walking Guide: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/townend/trails/ambleside-to-troutbeck-and-back-via-wansfell
- Distance & Time: 6 miles (4 – 5 hours)
Whenever I’m in Ambleside, this is always the walk of choice for a lazy morning or afternoon. When the weather is clear the views from the top of Wansfell Pike are incredible. The walk also takes in Troutbeck village and the Waterhead pub, located on the shores of Lake Windermere.
The views over Lake Windermere from Wansfell Pike. Photo source: Gastropig.wordpress.com |
2. LOUGHRIGG FELL (335m)
- Summary: Great views back over Lake Windermere. Includes farm tracks, a tarn, Rydal caves and ancient woodland
- Height Gain: 335m
- Walking Guide: https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_141.html
- Distance & Time: 6.5 miles (4 – 5 hours)
This is another great little walk, with great views and lots of variation, from farm tracks and country lanes to boggy fields and a contouring terrace. Great as an early morning or afternoon walk!
Views from Loughrigg Fell. Photo source – Andrewswalks.co.uk |
Rydal caves. Photo source – Andrewswalks.co.uk |
LAKE DISTRICT BEGINNER WALKS – KESWICK
Keswick is located in the North Lakes, and is a picturesque, idyllic town. It’s one of my favourite places in the Lake District. From here you can hike up hills big and small. Keswick is bustling with pubs, bars, shops, cafes, restaurants and museums and well worth a visit.
The highlighted areas on the map below show the suggested walks.
3. CATBELLS (451m)
- Summary: One of the most iconic Lake District beginners walks. Takes in the views of Derwent Water, Castlerigg Fell and the Borrowdale Fells
- Height Gain: 451m
- Walking Guide: https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_26.html
- Distance & Time: 4 miles (2 – 3 hours)
Speak to anyone about which mountain you should hike first in the Lake District and more often that not Catbells will come in in conversation. To say it’s a simple walk doesn’t do it justice. It’s fantastic. The map link advises you drive to it’s base and park in one of the many lay-bys (one of the reasons it is so popular), but you can walk the extra 5 miles (2.5 miles each way) from Keswick if you’re feeling sprightly.
The views looking North towards Keswick from Catbells. Photo source Sunsetsandseas. |
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4. LATRIGG (368m)
- Summary: Located directly North of Keswick, Latrigg is a short with a steady height gain that provides fantastic views over Keswick and Derwentwater.
- Height Gain: 368m
- Walking Guide: https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_4.html
- Distance & Time: 4 miles (2.5 – 3 hours)
There are many variations of this route – some shorter, and some longer (which take in the old Keswick Railway Route). I’ve chosen the middle length of 4 miles. Perfect for a quick, easy mountain walk and great views.
Views over Keswick from Latrigg. Photo source Freenorthchurch.org |
5. CASTLE CRAG (290m)
- Summary: Includes a war memorial, Peace How and amazing views of the flat valley bed that was formerly the bottom of an Ice Age lake.
- Height Gain: 290m
- Walking Guide: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/borrowdale-and-derwent-water/trails/borger-dalr-geology-walk-borrowdale
- Distance & Time: 4 miles (3 hours)
This is more of a lowland walk, but still has fantastic scenery, and gives you more of a glimpse into Borrowdale. The area was described by Alfred Wainwright as ‘the finest square mile in Lakeland’ – need I say more.
The rocky, scenic Castle Crag. Photo source – Carlislecameraclub.co.uk |
6. ROSTHWAITE & WATENDLATH (436m)
- Summary: Discover oak woodland mountain tarns and a hamlet that sounds like it should be in Game Of Thrones.
- Height Gain: 436m
- Walking Guide: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/borrowdale/trails/rosthwaite-round-fells-tarn-and-beck-walk
- Distance & Time: 5 miles (3 hours)
This is a lovely little circular walk around Rosthwaite and Watendlath, as well as taking in Great Crag. This one involves a short drive from Keswick, but is well worth it for a morning or afternoon walk.
The path towards Watendlath Beck. Photo source – Andrewswalks.co.uk |
7. CASTLERIGG (BLEABERRY) FELL (590m)
- Summary: Loads of highlights, from the scenic Ashness Bridge, the hike of Wall Crag and the views from the top
- Height Gain: 590m
- Walking Guide: https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_189.html
- Distance & Time: 6 miles (3 – 4 hours)
The biggest height gain of all the walks so far, Castlerigg Crag is a distinct fell South of Keswick. It takes in some of the regions best known features and places including Walla Crag and Ashness Bridge, and has cracking views of Derwent Water. If you’re feeling sprightly, you could extend the walk by an extra 4km and take on another peak in High Seat (608m).
Views from the top of Castlerigg Fell. Photo source – 50Peaks |
Ashness Bridge – my late grandfathers favourite bridge. You can see why! Photo source: E-Group.UK.net |
I’M A BEGINNER, BUT A FIT & EXPERIENCED HIKER
Granted, this post has been designed for both Lake District and hiking beginners. So what if you’re not a hiking beginner and are simply new to the Lake District and don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered with two absolute peaches.
8. BLENCATHRA (868m)
- Summary: One of the most famous Lake District mountains. A good climb, with a variety of routes up and down.
- Height Gain: 868m
- Walking Guide: https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_40.html
- Distance & Time: 5.5 miles (4 – 4.5 hours)
This was my walk last Sunday. Slightly hungover from too much ale, we took the direct, steep and ever so slightly dangerous Hall’s Crag route up. I won’t like, there are some difficult sections on this route up, and it is dangerous in parts, so I would recommend taking the path up from the West of the mountain (Blease Fell), and descending down either Doddick Fell or Scales Fell. Either way, it’s a great climb with incredible views looking South over pretty much the entire Lake District.
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9. CONISTON OLD MAN (803m)
- Summary: From the scenic town of Coniston, through old quarry workings, past a heart shaped tarn and views over Coniston and Coniston Water to finish.
- Height Gain: 803m
- Walking Guide: https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_2.html
- Distance & Time: 4 miles (3 – 4 hours)
Another mountain I bagged this year for the first time since I was in my teens. Starting in Coniston, you walk past several pubs, Church Beck (where you can go canyoning) then up and around Coniston Old Man, through some old quarry workings and finally endure a scramble to the top. Well worth it to bag a great mountain.
At the summit of Coniston Old Man back in May |
There you have it – my nine top Lake District walks for beginners! Are there any others you think I should add to the list? And if you’re using this list as a guide, let me know how you get on 🙂
Oooh, and if you’re not sure what to pack for your Lake District trip, check out my packing list!
These places has a nice ambiance. Good thing I came across your site. I find Castle Crag stunning. I'm gonna recommend this to my friends. Thanks for showing this wonderful glimpse.
These places has a nice ambiance. Good thing I came across your site. I find Castle Crag stunning. I'm gonna recommend this to my friends. Thanks for showing this wonderful glimpse.
Great pictures, nice walk in the mountains.
Where would i find Information on the entire 124 km Peak to Pub Trail i read about this in Canada and am hoping to make the journey this June or July. Would this be a suitable time to do this trail? Is it the busiest time of the year?
Any help would be appreciated, Is this a journey someone could toke on there own?
Hi Anthony, I’ve heard about this too, and found a great map with the route, a list of Lake District mountains and pubs – https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56cc47ca86db43e25e2f409b/t/5c9219fcc830257438e52764/1553078848173/pub+map.jpg. Hope that helps! June would be better, as July is usually a lot busier as the schools break up and everyone heads for the hills. Could you do it on your own? Sure, so long as you have the right kit and plan where you want to stay 🙂
Do all of the peaks have sections that need to be scrabbled up? Thanks.
Hello! No, none of these peaks have sections that need to be scrambled up. They are all fairly easy, low level walks 🙂
Simon – great site so thanks! Super helpful for novices. Do you have any details of the pubs on the routes? Looking to do Catbells and Castlerigg Fell this weekend and wondered where we should stop off for a good meal!
Thanks
Hi Joe, thanks for commenting. There aren’t too many pubs on the Catbells side of Derwentwater, and to be honest some of the best meals you’ll get will be in Keswick. Try and get a table at The Dog and Gun, and try their homemade goulash – delicious! Alternatively, try the Coledale Inn, located in Braithwaite – excellent food and a lovely, quiet beer garden 🙂
Thanks Simon, at the Dog and Gun now! Will try the Swinside Inn for Catbells and let you know how we get on. And you’d recommend coming back to Keswick for food after Castlerigg Fell?
Great post! I’ve done quite a few of these already but came across it looking for shorter hikes – Wansfell Pike sounds great for my next trip to the Lakes! 🙂
Hi Maja, thanks for commenting! Yes, Wansfell Pike is a lovely little hike. Take the lower path that overlooks Windermere, then circle back a long the summit from Troutbeck 😉
Thanks Simon. This is so helpful when you have 3 young kids but desperately want to go out hiking. Xx
Hi Simon! I consider myself a very fit 65 year old man and I love hiking at least 5 times a week! I can climb no problem but I have a fear big time with big drops next to me when Iam climbing! I like to explore Lake District where I walked a couple of times, could you please recommend any walks that have wide paths going up with no drops next to you? Thank you in advance!
Hi Louis, well firstly congrats on being fit and able to hike 5 times a week! I’m very jealous! I think quite a few paths in the Lakes (higher up) will have one or two points where the path goes near the edge, BUT, from memory Catbells and Maiden Moor is a good walk with no significant drops, and the path is quite wide all the way along. Also Bowfell from the Langdales is a good walk up too. Hope you find ones that work for you! Simon.
Hi, the latrigg and catsbells links seem to point to the same page?
Hi Karen, thanks for pointing that out! Now updated with a new route up Latrigg 🙂
Are they all
Suitable for taking my
Dog?
Thanks ????
Hi Sarah, yes of course! Most places in the Lake District are suitable for dogs :). Just keep an eye on any livestock, or signs, and keep dogs on leads if you’re not sure. Happy walking!
Thanks for this article. I got married a year ago and my wife was from the Lake District, so I’m steadily getting to know my way around and experience some lakeland loveliness!
Ahh, amazing! Enjoy exploring and all the walks to be had! I’m heading back up to the Lake District in November 🙂