A guidebook to 30 high level day walks in the Lake District, exploring some of the best mountains, ridgewalks, fells and summits within the national park. Mostly circular except for a few linear routes that make use of public transport links, the walks are graded according to difficulty, ensuring there is something for all levels of fitness and experience.

The walks range from 7 to 24km (4–15 miles) in length and can be completed in between 3 and 9 hours. They are arranged geographically into 6 areas: Keswick, Borrowdale and Buttermere, the Western Valleys, Coniston and Langdale, Ambleside and Windermere, and Ullswater.

• 1:50,000 OS maps for each walk
• GPX files available to download
• Detailed information on terrain, refreshments and public transport for each walk
• Information given on local history and archaeology
• Highlights include Scafell Pike, Scafell, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, Newlands Round and the Fairfield Horseshoe

Introduction

The high fells

Geology

Wildlife and habitats

History

Weather

Where to stay

Getting around

Waymarking and access

Maps

Clothing, equipment and safety

Using this guide

The Walks

Walk 1 Skiddaw via Ullock Pike

Walk 2 Blencathra and its neighbours

Walk 3 Coledale Horseshoe

Walk 4 Newlands Round

Walk 5 Causey Pike, Knott Rigg and Robinson

Walk 6 Helvellyn range, end to end

Walk 7 Scafell Pike

Walk 8 Glaramara and Allen Crags

Walk 9 Great Gable (from Honister)

Walk 10 Hay Stacks

Walk 11 Grasmoor and Gasgale Crags

Walk 12 The High Stile ridge

Walk 13 Great Gable (from Wasdale Head)

Walk 14 Pillar and Red Pike

Walk 15 Scafell

Walk 16 The Coniston Fells

Walk 17 The Langdale Pikes

Walk 18 Pike o’ Blisco and Crinkle Crags

Walk 19 Bow Fell and the Mickleden Round

Walk 20 Fairfield Horseshoe

Walk 21 Helm Crag and Blea Rigg

Walk 22 Kentmere Round

Walk 23 Helvellyn via the edges

Walk 24 Deepdale Round

Walk 25 Caiston Glen Round

Walk 26 Hartsop Dodd and Gray Crag

Walk 27 High Street and Harter Fell

Walk 28 A Martindale Round

Walk 29 Place Fell and Beda Fell

Walk 30 Matterdale and the Dodds

Appendices

Appendix A

Route summary table

Appendix B

Useful contacts

Seasons

High level and fell walks in the Lake District can be walked all year but walkers need to be prepared, and suitably equipped. Weather is changeable and snow may fall on the fells any time between November and April.

Centres

The walks are divided into 6 sections: the Keswick area, Borrowdale and Buttermere, the Western Valleys, Coniston and Langdale, Ambleside, Grasmere and Windermere, or Ullswater.

Difficulty

Routes range from 7-23km. Every route is graded for difficulty but fell walking covers rocky terrain, grassy hills, and occasional stretches of boggy ground. Some walks include some easy scrambling. Most routes are relatively easy to follow in clear conditions, but may require good navigational skills in bad weather. Many routes require ice and crampons in snow.

Must See

Walk England's highest mountains, including Scafell Pike, Sca Fell, Helvellyn and Skiddaw; hike classic horseshoe routes such as the Newlands Round and the Fairfield Horseshoe; enjoy quieter routes on popular fells such as Blencathra and Red Screes; and visit some lesser known summits, including Gray Crag and Beda Fell.

October 2024

Walk 2: Blencathra and its neighbours

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