Discover the Lake District’s valleys, lakes, and low fells with 30 of the finest walks in this beloved National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the shores of Windermere and Coniston Water to the ancient woodlands of Borrowdale and the iconic waterfalls at Aira Force, explore both renowned beauty spots and hidden gems throughout the region.

Although some hill-walkers may concentrate only on the highest peaks, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook shows that the valleys, lakes, and lower fells offer some of the most rewarding and dramatic scenery in the Lake District. Wander through secluded wooded glades, discover hidden tarns tucked into green folds, and marvel at glacier-carved valleys beneath towering crags. Each route is crafted to highlight the region’s natural and cultural treasures, visiting fascinating historical sites and circling the most striking lakes.

Ideal for newcomers and seasoned visitors alike, the walks feature gentle strolls (such as the circuit of Buttermere) and straightforward introductions to the low fells (like High Rigg), as well as new perspectives on Lakeland favourites (such as Outerside and Barrow) and quieter routes through less-explored corners.

• The walks are divided into five regional sections: South Lakes, Central Lakes, Western Valleys, North Lakes, and Eastern Lakes, covering the entire National Park. Most routes are circular, with a few linear options making use of local buses and boats.
• Enjoy a diverse selection of routes, from lakeside ambles and woodland wanders to riverside strolls, valley circuits, and gentle climbs leading to panoramic viewpoints.
• Visit classic destinations such as Great Langdale, Tarn Hows, Buttermere, and Crummock Water, as well as quieter, less-travelled spots like Seathwaite Tarn and Wythop’s Fells.
• Experience a variety of terrains, from broad, constructed trails to narrow footpaths across open fell, all routes graded from 7 to 17km and free of technical difficulties.
• Each walk includes comprehensive details on start and finish points, distance, total ascent, grade, estimated time, terrain, map requirements, refreshment stops, and public transport options. All routes are graded from one (easiest) to five, helping you choose the perfect adventure for your group.
• Highlights include Borrowdale’s ancient woodlands, the historic Hardknott Roman Fort, picturesque lakeshores, spectacular waterfalls, stone circles, and breathtaking views at every turn.
• Map extracts are taken from the Ordnance Survey® 1:50,000 Landranger® series and enlarged to 1:40,000 for maximum clarity. GPX tracks are available for free download, and a helpful route summary table makes planning easy and flexible.
• Also available from Cicerone: Lake District High Level and Fell Walks.

Plan your Lake District low level and lake walks with Cicerone’s definitive guidebook and discover tranquil lakeshores, spectacular waterfalls, ancient woodlands, historic sites, and unforgettable views—proof that you don’t need to climb the highest peaks to experience the true magic of Lakeland.

Lake District Low Level and Lake Walks – Quick Facts

Location: Lake District National Park, Cumbria, England
Number of walks: 30
Distance: 7–17 km per walk
Duration: 2–6 hours per walk
Regions covered: South Lakes, Central Lakes, Western Valleys, North Lakes, Eastern Lakes
Route type: Mainly circular, some linear
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (graded 1–5)
Terrain: Lakesides, woodland, valleys, low fells, constructed trails, narrow paths
Navigation: Ordnance Survey maps, route descriptions, downloadable GPX tracks
Best season: Year-round, best spring to autumn
Highlights: Waterfalls, lakeshores, ancient woodland, stone circles, Roman forts, panoramic views
Public transport: Many walks are accessible by bus or boat
Accommodation: Hotels, B&Bs, inns, campsites in local villages and towns
 

Author Highlight

“Hardened hill-walkers who head only for the highest ground of the Lake District may look down, both literally and figuratively, on people exploring the low fells and valleys, but in fact they’re missing out on much of the natural beauty and drama of this National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Head up onto the lower hills or take a walk through any of Lakeland’s great dales, and you’ll discover that they are gorgeous, often spectacular and atmospheric places where attention to detail in the landscape will reward the observant walker. From delightful wooded glades and sparkling tarns hidden in green folds on the hillside to tumultuous waterfalls and glacier-carved valleys towered over by craggy mountains, this guide aims to seek out the best that the lower areas of the Lake District have to offer.” 

- Vivienne Crow, author of Lake District: Low Level and Lake Walks

Introduction    
Geology    
Wildlife and habitats    
History    
Weather    
Where to stay  
Getting around    
Waymarking and access    
Maps    
Dogs    
Clothing, equipment and safety    
Using this guide   

SOUTH LAKES: WINDERMERE, CONISTON, DUDDON AND THE SOUTH
Walk 1    Tarn Hows and the Monk Coniston estate    
Walk 2    Kelly Hall Tarn and Coniston Water    
Walk 3    In search of Skeggles Water 
Walk 4    Claife Heights, Windermere and Latterbarrow    
Walk 5    Hampsfell    
Walk 6    Seathwaite Tarn    
 

CENTRAL LAKES: AMBLESIDE, LANGDALE, GRASMERE AND THIRLMERE 
Walk 7    Elterwater, Little Langdale and the waterfalls    
Walk 8    Great Langdale    
Walk 9    Circuit of Loughrigg Fell    
Walk 10  Orrest Head and Wansfell Pike    
Walk 11   Grasmere and Rydal Water    
Walk 12   Easedale Tarn and Tarn Crag    
Walk 13   Great How and Thirlmere shore

WESTERN VALLEYS: ESKDALE, WASDALE AND BUTTERMERE AREA   
Walk 14    Stanley Ghyll Force and River Esk   
Walk 15    Upper Eskdale   
Walk 16    Hardknott Fort and Harter Fell   
Walk 17    Loweswater Corpse Road    
Walk 18    Buttermere   
Walk 19    Crummock Water and Rannerdale Knotts 

NORTHERN LAKE DISTRICT: KESWICK, BORROWDALE AND DERWENT WATER
Walk 20    Walla Crag and Great Wood   
Walk 21    Derwentwater circuit    
Walk 22    A Borrowdale ramble    
Walk 23    Castlerigg Stone Circle and High Rigg    
Walk 24    Outerside and Barrow    
Walk 25    Wythop’s Fells   

EAST LAKE DISTRICT: ULLSWATER AND PATTERDALE   
Walk 26    Grisedale and Lanty’s Tarn    
Walk 27    Aira Force and Gowbarrow    
Walk 28    Steel Knotts and Hallin Fell  
Walk 29    Ullswater shore   
Walk 30    Ullswater and The Cockpit    

Appendix A    Route summary table    
Appendix B    Useful contacts    
 

Seasons

All year – each season holds its own delights, but there's a chance of encountering snow from December to March

Centres

Coniston, Hawkshead, Grange-over-Sands, Grasmere, Ambleside, Elterwater, Windermere, Boot, Buttermere, Loweswater, Keswick, Braithwaite, Glenridding, Patterdale, Pooley Bridge

Difficulty

Routes range from 7 to 17km and are suitable for walkers of all abilities. Each route is illustrated with OS map extracts and present no technical difficulties over terrain from wide constructed trails to narrow paths on open fell. Most of the walks easy to follow on the ground, although a few include short stretches of boggy moorland.

Must See

Borrowdale's ancient woodland; beauty spots such as Tarn Hows and Orrest Head; tranquil lakeshore walks beside Ullswater, Windermere, Grasmere and Crummock Water; spectacular waterfalls including Aira Force; Hardknott Roman Fort and stone circles; breathtaking views from Wansfell Pike, Latterbarrow and Hallin Fell

The map extracts used in this book are from the Ordnance Survey’s 1:50,000 Landranger series. They are meant as a guide only and walkers are advised to purchase the relevant map(s) – and know how to navigate using them. The whole area is covered by sheets 89, 90, 96 and 97. The OS 1:25,000 Explorer series provides greater detail, showing field boundaries as well as access land. To complete all the walks in this guide using Explorer maps, you’ll need sheets OL4, OL5, OL6 and OL7.
Harvey publishes an excellent series of Superwalker maps at the 1:25,000 scale. Its six Lakeland maps cover most of the Lake District National Park.
 

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