9 of the Best Walks in the Lake District

The Lake District is full of walks that make you wonder why you ever spent a sunny Saturday in a retail park. From easy lakeside strolls to long days on the fells, it has something for every kind of walker.

If you are looking for the best walks in the Lake District, this guide covers some of the most rewarding routes for beginners, casual walkers, and people who do enjoy a bit of suffering as long as the view at the top is nice enough.

Some of these are gentle and scenic. Some are steeper and more dramatic. All of them are worth knowing about if you want to explore one of the best walking areas in Britain. If you are planning a September or October trip, our best autumn walks in the Lake District guide narrows the choice down to routes that suit the season.

Nine Lake District walks at a glance

Walk	Level	Best for
Catbells	Moderate	A short fell walk with big Derwentwater views
Tarn Hows Circular	Easy	A relaxed scenic walk and mixed-weather days
Loughrigg Fell	Moderate	A manageable summit near Ambleside and Grasmere
Buttermere Lake Walk	Easy	Classic lake and fell scenery without a summit
Haystacks	Challenging	A rocky fell day with tarns and character
Helvellyn via Striding Edge	Challenging	An exposed ridge for confident walkers
Scafell Pike	Challenging	England’s highest summit
Fairfield Horseshoe	Challenging	A long ridge circuit and full fell day
Derwentwater Circular	Easy	A lower-level day around Keswick

Looking for a Lake District hiking map? Start with Rambl’s UK walks map to explore the routes, then open the linked guide for planning notes. For paper navigation across the wider National Park, check which OS Explorer sheet covers your route before setting off. The Lakes are spread across several sheets, so one map does not cover everything.

For official route maps, use the Lake District National Park walking routes. You can filter them by duration, accessibility and facilities before choosing a walk.

Why the Lake District is so good for walking

The Lake District works so well because it has range.

You can do an easy circular around a tarn in the morning, stop for tea and cake, then spend the afternoon pretending you are the sort of person who naturally scrambles up ridges without getting nervous. It suits first-timers, families, regular hillwalkers, and people who just want an excuse to be outside somewhere beautiful.

There is also a huge variety of scenery packed into a fairly small area. You get lakes, valleys, rocky fells, old tracks, woodland, ridges, and wide open views that make even a damp day feel worthwhile.

The nine walks

Catbells

Catbells is one of the most popular walks in the Lake District, and for once the popular thing is actually worth it.

It is short, rewarding, and has some of the best views for the effort involved. From the top, you get a brilliant look over Derwentwater, Keswick, and the surrounding fells. It feels like a proper mountain day without being a full-scale expedition.

It is a strong choice for beginners who want a walk that feels exciting but not ridiculous. On clear days it gets busy, so an early start helps.

Planning Catbells? Our Catbells walk guide has the route, map and practical tips.

Tarn Hows Circular

Tarn Hows is one of the easiest and prettiest walks in the Lake District.

The route is gentle, the views are lovely throughout, and it is a good option if you want fresh air without needing to question your life choices on a steep climb. It is especially good for families, beginners, or anyone after a relaxed circular walk.

This is also one of the better choices if the weather is mixed and you still want scenery without committing to a summit.

For an easier day, use our Tarn Hows circular walk guide for the route, map and practical tips.

Loughrigg Fell

Loughrigg Fell is a classic example of a smaller walk that gives you a lot back.

The climb is manageable, the summit views are excellent, and the route gives you that proper Lake District feel without taking the whole day. You get views over Grasmere, Rydal Water, Windermere, and a scattering of fells that make the whole area feel bigger than it is.

If you want a walk that feels satisfying but still leaves time for lunch somewhere decent, this is a very good choice.

Planning Loughrigg Fell? Our Loughrigg Fell walk guide has the route, map and practical tips.

Buttermere Lake Walk

Buttermere is one of the most beautiful easy walks in the Lake District.

The route around the lake is fairly straightforward, but the scenery is anything but boring. The combination of water, trees, and steep surrounding fells makes it feel properly dramatic without requiring much effort at all.

It is ideal if you want a scenic day out that does not involve a steep summit push. It also works well for mixed groups where not everyone wants to tackle a mountain.

For the full route and practical details, see our Buttermere Lake walk guide.

Haystacks

Haystacks is one of the most loved fells in the Lake District, and it has a lot more character than its height might suggest.

The route includes rocky sections, little tarns, and lovely views across the surrounding fells. It feels quieter and more intimate than some of the bigger-name peaks, which is probably part of why Wainwright loved it so much.

It is a great walk if you want a proper fell day with plenty of interest underfoot and a summit that feels earned.

For the full route, map and planning notes, see our Haystacks walk guide.

Helvellyn via Striding Edge

If you want one of the most iconic walks in the Lake District, this is it.

Helvellyn via Striding Edge is dramatic, memorable, and not one for anyone who hates exposure. The ridge is narrow in places and can feel serious in poor conditions, but on a good day it is one of the most exciting routes in England.

This is not the walk to pick for a first outing in borrowed trainers and blind optimism. For confident walkers in decent weather, though, it is hard to beat.

For the route, map and safety notes, see our Helvellyn via Striding Edge walk guide.

Scafell Pike

Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England, so naturally it ends up on a lot of lists.

It is a great achievement and a classic Lake District day hike, but it is worth knowing that the route can feel tougher and rockier than some people expect. This is not just a long stroll uphill with a dramatic summit photo at the end.

Still, if you want a proper mountain challenge in the Lakes, Scafell Pike deserves its place among the best walks in the Lake District.

For the route, map and practical planning notes, see our Scafell Pike walk guide.

Fairfield Horseshoe

Fairfield Horseshoe is one of the best longer ridge walks in the Lake District.

This route gives you a full day on the fells, with a satisfying circuit that includes multiple summits and excellent views for most of the walk. It is the kind of route that makes you feel like you have really been somewhere by the time you get back to the car.

It is better suited to walkers with a bit of fitness and some experience, but if you want a bigger day out, it is a brilliant choice.

For the full circuit, map and planning details, see our Fairfield Horseshoe walk guide.

Derwentwater Circular

Derwentwater Circular is a good option if you want an easier day with plenty of scenery.

The route gives you water views, woodland, little jetties, and that classic Keswick setting which somehow always looks good even when the weather is doing its usual thing. It is one of the most accessible scenic walks in the area.

If you are staying near Keswick and want something relaxed, this is a very easy one to recommend.

For the full route and practical details, see our Derwentwater Circular walk guide.

Beginner walks still count

There is sometimes a strange idea in walking that only the hardest routes are the best ones.

That is nonsense, really.

A brilliant walk does not have to leave you limping back to the car with wind-burnt cheeks and one flapjack left as your only emotional support. Some of the best walks in the Lake District are beginner-friendly because they combine scenery, accessibility, and actual enjoyment.

If you are new to hiking, there is nothing wrong with starting with easier routes like Catbells, Tarn Hows, Buttermere, or Derwentwater before building up to bigger mountain days.

For more easy route ideas, see our beginner walks in the Lake District.

How to choose the right Lake District walk

The best route for you depends on three things: fitness, weather, and what sort of day you actually want.

If you want an easy scenic walk, choose something low-level like Buttermere, Tarn Hows, or Derwentwater.

If you want a short summit with great views, Catbells or Loughrigg Fell are ideal.

If you want a full mountain challenge, Scafell Pike, Fairfield Horseshoe, or Helvellyn via Striding Edge are much more serious days.

The weather matters too. A ridge walk can be incredible in clear conditions and deeply unpleasant in strong wind, low cloud, or heavy rain. The Lake District is beautiful, but it is also very capable of making you feel underdressed and slightly foolish if you do not prepare properly.

What to pack for walking in the Lake District

Even for shorter walks, it is worth packing properly.

The weather can change quickly, and a route that looks straightforward on paper can feel very different once the wind picks up or the path turns boggy. A waterproof jacket, warm layer, food, water, and decent footwear make a big difference.

If you are heading onto the fells, a proper Lake District hiking map and basic navigation knowledge are also sensible. OS Explorer maps OL4, OL5, OL6 and OL7 cover different parts of the National Park, so check that your planned route sits on the sheet you are carrying rather than assuming one map covers the whole Lakes. A paper map is still useful when phone signal, battery life or visibility lets you down. It is all very scenic until you are stood in cloud wondering whether that faint path is a path or just wishful thinking.

For kit planning, start with our day-hike packing guide. We also have guides to waterproof walking jackets, walking boots and day-hiking essentials.

Best walks in the Lake District for beginners

If you are new to hiking, these are some of the best places to start:

Catbells offers one of the best effort-to-view ratios in the country.

Tarn Hows Circular is easy, scenic, and ideal for building confidence.

Buttermere Lake Walk gives you classic Lake District scenery without a hard climb.

Derwentwater Circular is another relaxed option with beautiful views and easy access from Keswick.

These walks let you enjoy the Lakes without throwing yourself into the deep end straight away.

Best walks in the Lake District for experienced walkers

If you have more experience and want something bigger, there are some obvious standouts.

Helvellyn via Striding Edge is one of the most exciting ridge walks in England.

Scafell Pike is a classic peak for anyone wanting to reach England’s highest point.

Fairfield Horseshoe is a longer, more demanding day that rewards you with a real sense of journey.

Haystacks is not the biggest, but it offers more character than many larger routes.

Where to Stay for a Lake District Walking Break

For a first walking weekend, Keswick is hard to beat for access to Derwentwater, Catbells and the northern fells. Ambleside is a useful central base for Loughrigg, Fairfield and routes towards Grasmere, while Buttermere is better if you want somewhere quieter with dramatic scenery straight from the door. If you are travelling by train or bus, our Lake District without a car guide covers practical bases and transport options. We also have a guide to the best places to stay in the Lake District for walking.

Useful next reads: Derwentwater, Catbells, Fairfield Horseshoe and Buttermere.

Looking for somewhere to stay? You can browse Lake District breaks on Snaptrip. Rambl may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

Final thoughts

The best walks in the Lake District are not all the biggest, hardest, or most famous ones.

Some are popular for good reason. Some are quieter but just as rewarding. The real joy of the Lakes is that you can find a route to suit almost any mood, fitness level, or weather window.

If you are just starting out, begin with the easier classics and enjoy them properly. If you want more of a challenge, the higher fells and ridge walks are there when you are ready.

Either way, it is very hard to have a bad day walking in the Lake District. Even the damp ones usually end with a decent view, a tired pair of legs, and the feeling that going was the right decision after all.